While not surprising, Drew Williams of St John’s College and Helen Mitchell of Hellenic Academy finished first for 18-19 year olds in today’s first triathlon of the season in Mt Pleasant. Both student athletes are in top shape, recently home from world level championships held in the United States last month – Williams from the World Triathlon Championships in Chicago and Mitchell from the World Road Cycling Championships in Richmond, Virginia.
Williams finished the boys 18-19 event in 1:04:43 with Rupert Anschuetz of Peterhouse coming 2nd in a respectable 1:05:27 and Chad Scallon of St John’s College third in 1:07:10. Injury currently has top competitor in this age group, Gideon Benade of Peterhouse out of competition.
Helen Mitchell came first in the girls 18-19 event in a convincing 1:18:41, 22 minutes before the second contestant behind her, Savannah Bekker, who finished second in 1:40:14. Jaimie-Lee Soper, of Peterhouse Girls School, who was the sole competitor in the Half Triathlon in the 16-17 girls age group, also finished with an impressive time, 1:20:20. The Half Triathlon consists of a 33 width pool swim followed by a 20km cycle and finishing with a 5.0km run.
Mitchell’s schoolmate Skye Davidson chose instead to compete in the Long Mini, a tight race which she won in 47:32, just two seconds ahead of second place finisher Rachel Jeans of Chisipite Senior and 27 seconds ahead of Arundel’s Sarah Hawgood. The Long Mini includes a 9 width pool swim followed by a 10km cycle and finishing with a 2.5km run.
Yesterday’s triathlon held at Mt Pleasant Pool was the first selection event of the new triathlon season, including sprint and supersprint events in all age categories. The second selection event will be held at the same venue on Sunday, 8 November 2015.