Posted: September 1, 2007

Triathlon: Fernandes new World Champion

HAMBURG, Germany - Portuguese superstar Vanessa Fernandes is the new triathlon world champion, winning today with a time of 1 hour 53 minutes and 27 seconds. Three-time world champion Emma Snowsill came from behind to win silver while American Laura Bennett took the bronze, her fourth career medal at the world championships. After cycling in the lead pack that extended its lead virtually with every lap, the world number one Fernandes headed out onto the run in 11th place. But it wasn't long before she reeled in the ten women in front of her one by one. Early in the first lap, Fernandes caught up with the leader Bennett and passed her, surging ahead to take the lead for good and win her first career triathlon world championship and the first elite world title for Portugal. In three previous trips to the world championships, Snowsill had won gold and though Fernandes thwarted her bid for a record-tying fourth world title, Snowsill called this a "personal victory" as she faced a deficit of more than a minute. The German contingent fared well in the first world championships in their country, placing three in the top ten. Hamburg BG Triathlon World Championships - Final Elite Women's Results: 1st - Vanessa Fernandes (POR) 01:53:27 2nd - Emma Snowsill (AUS) 01:54:31 3rd - Laura Bennett (USA) 01:54:37 4th - Emma Moffatt (AUS) 01:54:54 5th - Ricarda Lisk (GER) 01:54:59 6th - Anja Dittmer (GER) 01:55:04 7th - Magali Di marco Messmer (SUI) 01:55:09 8th - Joelle Franzmann (GER) 01:55:15 9th - Jessica Harrison (FRA) 01:55:26 10th - Sarah Haskins (USA) 01:55:27 Up next: The elite men start at 3pm (CEST) on Sunday. Great Britain's Tim Don will defend his title but faces a strong field of international contenders eager to dethrone him. World number one Javier Gomez of Spain leads the charge of men seeking his first world championship. More...from the ITU. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest