World Triathlon

A picture-perfect day in Richards Bay, South Africa welcomed the ITU athletes to the seventh stop of the 2006 BG Triathlon World Cup series.  Emma Snowsill from Australia led from the starting horn to the finish line, winning in a time of 2:03:11.  The next closest competitor was Anja Dittmer from Germany who finished three minutes and thirty seconds behind with a time of 2:06:41.  Vendula Frintova from the Czech Republic had here first world cup podium, finishing in third with a time of 2:06:58.

Click here to watch race video on Tricast now!

I felt really strong out there, said Snowsill.  I was really just testing myself.  I havent raced since the Commonwealth Games and I wanted to see where I was at today.

After a two and a half month break from winning the Commonwealth Games, Snowsill was back in full force, blowing the competition away.  Snowsill exited the water with a sixteen second lead over the next group that contained Dittmer, Frintova, Samantha Warriner (NZL), Nicola Spirig (SUI) and local favourite Mari Rabie (RSA).

From there Snowsill decided not to wait for anyone else, breaking away on the bike, riding solo for the entire 40 km.  A large chase group formed behind Snowsill but continued to lose time over each lap, eventually coming into the second transition 3:51 down.

I couldnt tell how far ahead I was on the bike so I put my head down and went for it, stated Snowsill.

The chasers seemed uninterested in trying to catch Snowsill but instead were content to wait until the run to battle for the remaining two spots on the podium.

Emma is so strong, stated Dittmer. On the bike we all decided to wait until the run and race for second place.

Once the women hit the run course it was a race for second place.  Dittmer went out like a shot and never look back finishing strong with the fastest run of the day.  Frintova was able to hold onto her small lead over Canadian Lauren Groves to claim the last podium spot. 

It was a really good day for me, explained Frintova. It is really special to be on the podium in the first world cup in Africa.

Groves had an impressive run to finish in fourth place and Lenka Radova from the Czech Republic rounded out the top five in fifth. 

Click here to watch race video on Tricast now!

Click here for full results from the elite women’s race.

Full elite timing splits and age group results are available by clicking here.

Click here for official photo gallery.

2006 Richards Bay BG Triathlon World Cup results Elite Women
1.SNOWSILL, Emma (AUS)2:03:11
2.DITTMER, Anja (GER)2:06:41
3.FRINTOVA, Vendula (CZE)2:06:58
4.GROVES, Lauren (CAN)2:07:05
5.RADOVA, Lenka (CZE)2:07:38
6.HAIBOECK, Tania (AUT)2:07:53
7.DOLLINGER, Eva (AUT)2:08:07
8.SPIRIG, Nicola (SUI)2:08:13
9.DAMLAIMCOURT, Marina (ESP)2:08:51
10.UEDA, Ai (JPN)2:09:07