Posted: May 10, 2007

Triathlon: Junior World Champ leads Canadians into Richards Bay World Cup

RICHARDS BAY, South Africa – Fresh off a World Cup career-best last week in Lisbon, Kirsten Sweetland of Victoria, BC looks to carry that momentum to Richards Bay this weekend. The 18-year old headlines a talented Canadian team to the only African stop of the 2007 BG Triathlon World Cup series seeking important Olympic qualifying points and part of the US$100,000 prize purse. With her first career World Cup top five finish in Lisbon, Sweetland catapulted in the world rankings to number nine after finishing 2006 ranked 78. She is the reigning Junior World Champion and has placed in the top 15 in her first four career World Cup races, improving with every event. As the second-highest ranked woman in the field, Richards Bay could be her World Cup breakthrough. Also in the women’s field is Carolyn Murray of Edmonton, AB who opened her 2007 World Cup season with a 24th place finish in Mooloolaba, Australia in March but failed to finish in Ishigaki, Japan. Christine Jeffrey of Guelph, ON began 2007 on a high, winning the ITU Pan American Cup in Villarrica, Chile by almost a full minute. Last week in Lisbon, Jeffrey finished in 42nd place. In the men’s field, Olympian Brent McMahon of Victoria, BC comes into Richards Bay in fine form after a top ten finish last month in Ishigaki, Japan, his best World Cup result in two years. Last week in Lisbon he led the men’s race after the bike leg but couldn’t keep up with the torrid pace set by the world’s top runners and finished in 20th place. Colin Jenkins of Hamilton, ON and Kyle Jones of Oakville, ON will also compete in Richards Bay. Both have already set World Cup careers bests this year with top twenty finishes. The Richards Bay BG Triathlon World Cup is part of the ITU’s series of Olympic qualifiers and is a huge opportunity for athletes to gain some ground in the race to make the cut for Beijing. The Olympic fields are extremely competitive with men’s and women’s fields capped at 55 with a maximum of three per National Federation. Olympic qualifying continues through the 2007 season including the World Cup stops in Vancouver on June 10 and Edmonton on June 24. The final Olympic qualifier will be the 2008 World Championships which will be held in Vancouver on June 7-8. Canadians in the 2007 Richards Bay BG Triathlon World Cup are: Kirsten Sweetland (Victoria, BC) – 2006 Junior World Champion Carolyn Murray (Edmonton, AB) – finished 2006 as 3rd highest ranked Canadian woman Christine Jeffrey (Guelph, ON) – 2 career Pan American Cup wins Brent McMahon (Victoria, BC) – 2004 Olympian, current world #20 Kyle Jones (Oakville, ON) – current world #40 (tie) Colin Jenkins (Hamilton, ON) – current world #40 (tie) Last year was the first time a World Cup race was held in Africa and the historic event was swept by Australians Brad Kahlefeldt and Emma Snowsill. But neither chose to defend their titles this year. Reigning African Champions Hendrik de Villiers and Kate Roberts will be the home crowd favourites. Full race results and race report will be available immediately after the event (Sunday morning in Canada). **Note that Richards Bay is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. All the action will be broadcast live over the internet on Tricast at Triathlon.org. Up-to-date athlete start lists and race information. Photo Credit: spomedis/triathlon.org