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One of the biggest names in triathlon – and one of the major stars taking part in the inaugural Super League Triathlon event being held in Jersey – Jonny Brownlee – had to settle for third place on day one.
For the Olympic silver and bronze medallist, and former world champion, although the event tested the same swim, bike, run disciplines, the slightly different set up seemed to favour Norwegian Kristian Blummenfelt and South African Richard Murray more.
The triple mix races see the tradition three skills mixed up, there are three race rounds, with ten minute breaks, and the event takes place over a shorter course, which makes it faster and more entertaining for the spectators. Finishers are staggered for the next race round dependent on their finishing time, with the overall champion judged by their cumulative time across the three rounds.
Brownlee, Blummenfelt and last year’s champion Murray broke away from the pack early on making it a clear three-man contest. Spectators were clearly excited to support British sporting royalty Brownlee, but it was Jerseyman Daniel Halksworth that drew the biggest applause from the crowds. Halksworth started with a strong swim, but experienced a set back early on following transition to the bike when a crash between two competitors in front of him caused him to lose momentum which he couldn’t regain. Commenting after the race Halksworth commented: “I want to say a huge thanks to everyone for the support at Super League Triathlon today it was unreal! I am so proud to race at this level on my home soil with the awesome Jersey fans. Hopefully I will do better for you all tomorrow. I need to swim well again and then a get little luck to avoid any crashes on the bike, which slowed me down today. I aim to do you all proud and push the pros, especially in the swim and bike”. The crash also left Portuguese Joao Pereira with a broken nose which forced him out of the race.
Whilst it seemed that Jonny Brownlee was going to finish top of the podium, a close final race resulted in Norwegian Blummenfelt coming first, with Murray in second and Brownlee in third.
Most of the male athletes had had the advantage of having participated in a Super League Triathlon in Hamilton Island last year, but for the women Jersey was a Super League first.
American Katie Zaferes was the one most competitors were watching, having had a strong season and coming 3rd at the 2017 ITU World Triathlon Series. Zaferes won out against Nicola Spirig after the two took the lead during the last round of the race. Spirig came second overall having only given birth to her second child four months earlier. American Summer Cook crossed the line in third place.
Another bike crash saw Laura Lindemann vault the course railings on a corner, but she was quick to recover and get back on route despite a grazed face.
Today sees the Eliminator race take part with Women's race at 13:00 and Men’s at 16:00, where only the fastest will survive as competitors are eliminated if they don’t make a certain time.
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