Carolina Velasquez (COL) made it through the driving rain with enough left in the tank to edge a big sprint finish against USA’s Erika Ackerlund and secure the gold at Sunday’s Huatulco World Cup, Elizabeth Bravo (ECU) completing the podium.
The city had recovered from a battering by Hurricane Erick in the days before the race, but the rain returned, keeping temperatures lower but conditions still very tricky out on the course. It was a test of concentration and skill, and one that Velasquez rose to superbly.
'I am so happy, it was a difficult race against Olympic-level athletes. The water from the hurricane made it tricky, but it was good to have the legs for the win at the end and with the victory I am very happy.'
Canada’s Sidney Clement set the pace for much of the 750m swim, race number one and fan favourite Rosa Maria Tapia for close company as they returned to the shore and the long run into transition.
Selina Klamt (GER), Djenyfer Arnold (BRA), Zuzana Michalickova (SVK) and Gina Sereno (USA) were also right there, but it was Tapia away fastest out onto the 20km bike and with some daylight behind her.
A pack of 15 riders then came together over the first lap, navigating the driving rain and puddles, Bravo, Beatrice Mallozzi (ITA), Emy Legault and Sophia Howell of Canada also well set.
That group was able to stay away for the duration of the 20km bike, Maria Lopez (MEX) and Madalena Almeda (POR) giving chase a minute back but unable to make any real inroads on the deficit.
Again, it was Tapia fastest out of transition, this time spearheading the run and looking like she might pull away early on, before Sereno and Ackerlund reeled her in, soon joined by Velasquez, Arnold and Bravo.
Klamt stumbled on lap one and looked shook if not entirely out of contention, and suddenly it was Malozzi and Sereno pushing a pace that Tapia and Michalickova couldn’t match.
With seven still in contention for the medals at the bell, Sereno pushed on again before teammate Ackerlund started to build and took a first pull out front, looking comfortable on the downhill as Sereno dropped off.
At the turn around the park it was Velasquez almost veering off course before hitting the chute narrowly ahead of Ackerlund who nearly stole back at the line, Elizabeth Bravo holding on for an excellent bronze and the fastest run split from Mallozzi and Sereno. Michalickova out ran Tapia to sixth, Arnold, Klamt and Legault rounding out the top ten.
'I've raced Huatulco many times but it has never been like this,' admitted Ackerlund. 'After my last race in February I herniated two discs in my back so i've been recovering and trying to train so I was very nervous ahead of the race. I've wanted a World Cup podium for so many years that I almost had to try to stop wanting it. In that running race against those girls I never would have guessed I would be on the podium.'
'This is the race I have done more than any other, and always fourth or fifth, so I am thrilled with the podium,' said Elizabeth Bravo. 'I had a good swim and stayed safe on the bike and even on the run girls were slipping. I was a little back as Velasquez hit the hill but on the last loop we pushed hard and I picked my moment for the sprint.'
Full results available here.
