Marco Akershoek and Elysa de Ruijter completed a Junior Dutch double at the ETU European Junior Cross Triathlon Championships.

In the first ever Junior competition at this event, Akershoek dominated from the starting gun.

Jorik van Egdom and picked up the silver medal in second place and Niels Ost of Belgium completed the Junior Men’s podium.

In the Junior Women’s race it was a Dutch 1-2-3. De Ruijter outran Britt de Waal in an exciting finale for the title with Anne Reintjes completing the podium

In the U23 category, Rory Downie (GBR) was crowned as European Cross Triathlon U23 Champion, fending off the challenge of Jonas Vojtech (CZE) and Cornelis Scheltinga (NED).

Downie was out in front after the swim and was running with Vojtech until the last lap before pulling away for victory.

In the Women’s U23 category Ilona Eversdijk claimed the title with Jip Veelenturf and Sharon Zuijdervliet completing an all-Dutch top three.

In the Para Triathlon categories, the legendary Martin Falch (AUT) added the European Cross Triathlon title to the previous World and European Triathlon and Duathlon titles he has won. The Austrian finished ahead of Reitze Bok (NED) in TRI-5 classification.

Christian Togger (AUT) claimed the European Cross title in TRI-2 and Rob Noordzij (NED) held off the challenge of Spanish duo of Ruben Sanchez and Joaquin Carrasco in TRI-4.

In the Age Group categories, Dutch athletes again dominated throughout. Hendrik Venema (25-29), Robert Mijwaart (40-44), Hans Bader (45-49), Pim Veeger (55-59), Frits Riemersma (60-64), Leo Meewisse (65-59) and Dick Benschop (70-74) all won their respective categories on home soil.

But there were also victories for Great Britain’s Samuel Hatfield (20-24) and Stephen Ferguson (30-34), Austria’s Dominik Wychera (18-19), Belgium’s Nick Baelus (35-39) and Germany’s Gerhard Schluter (55-59).

Ingrid Tempert (25-29), Marleen Stroomer (35-39), Ingrid van Lubek (40-44), Margriet Uil (50-54) and Marijke Zeekant (55-59) were all native winners amongst the Female Age Groupers.

But Austria’s Kathryn Wychera (AUT), Great Britain’s Natalie Smith (30-34) and Spain’s Susana Coto (45-49) can all celebrate well deserved victories as European Cross Triathlon Champions.

Picture Courtesy: Marco Van Vuren