Stunning Sun and Rapid Racing at 2018 Suunto Cardiff Triathlon
The fourth edition of the Suunto Cardiff Triathlon was one of the warmest and fastest on record. With over 1,500 triathletes taking part across 5 separate races, the day proved a stunner with course records set and British Elite Sprint Champions Crowned.
Olympic Triathlon
Wales’ largest and most successful triathlon formed the 3rd Stage of the Welsh Super Series for 2018, so the racing was more fierce than ever. A very strong field saw of the heat to deliver a fast paced race, which was eventually taken by Pembrokeshire Tri’s Alex Matchett in 1:47:44 carrying on his success in the 208 Super Series. Vicky Johnston bought home the women’s gold in a stunning 2:01:17.
Sprint Triathlon
With three Sprint races being held over two courses the mass participation sprint was popular as ever. High quality racing in the non-drafting event saw Adam Jelf take the win, in 1:02:56, ahead of Oliver Beere and John Tredgett, who were separated by just a few seconds. The women’s race win was taken by Laura John in slick 1:07:07.
Super Sprint Triathlon
With 55 athletes donning their trisuits for some incredibly fast racing the battle of the sexes was strong for the 2018 Super sprint. Amongst the many first timers a competitive field of super sprinters descended on Cardiff to see Fiona Bostock beat Alistair Fletcher by just 9 seconds, showing just how close this short format racing comes.
ITU Age Group Qualifier
New for 2018, the Suunto Cardiff Triathlon held an ITU Age Group Qualifier, with successful age groupers being selected for the 2018 Gold Coast and 2019 Switzerland ITU Races. This draft legal format saw over 400 races sign up for Wales, if not the UK’s biggest qualifying opportunity, on some of the finest roads the Welsh capital has to offer and they did not disappoint.
British Elite Sprint Triathlon Championships
The British Elite Triathlon Sprint Distance Championships saw fast paced, elite racing hit the streets of Cardiff for the second year in a row and the course provided the technicality and excitement expected of Always Aim High Events.
The Elite Men’s race was close but with final victor, Adam Bowden returning to the streets of Cardiff it was no great surprise. Third out the swim, Bowden accelerated away on the bike to take a lead-out pack of six onto the run, before dropping them on leisurely paced 14:22 5km run, to take the win in 55:28, 23 seconds ahead of James Teagle, who battled Fergus Roberts down the carpet to take second by 3 seconds.
Elite Women’s racing once again drew crowds to the Cardiff Bay area for the exciting course. Loughborough Triathlon Performance Centre’s Sophie Alden took the win after battling Grace Kennell on the swim before going out solo on the bike, before being caught by the main peloton at half way. A quick T2 saw a battle in the bay as Kate Waugh challenger her in the run before Alden broke free to take the win by 12 seconds. Aquathlon Champion, Hannah Kitchen took third just 15 seconds after Waugh.
All results available at www.chiptimes.biz