Sunday, March 25, 2007

Emma Snowsill strikes Aussie Gold


Three-time world and Commonwealth Games champion Emma Snowsill of Australia has just won the 2007 Mooloolaba BG Triathlon World Cup, in Mooloolaba, Australia, with a time of 1 hour 59 minutes and 20 seconds. Amongst one of the most competitive women’s fields ever assembled for a world cup, Snowsill was able to break away from her biggest rival Vanessa Fernandes of Portugal at the five kilometre mark in the run to take top spot in the first world cup of the 2007 season. Snowsill’s team mate and current Under23 world champion Erin Densham was able to pass Fernandes in the final stage to claim second place, 31 seconds back. A further 10 seconds back in third was Fernandes.

After the opening 1,500 metre ocean swim, a group of 22 athletes, including Snowsill, Densham and Fernandes, formed and were able to work together over the hilly 40 kilometre bike to build almost a minute gap on the rest of the field. Out onto the tough and hot run course it was Snowsill and Fernandes immediately taking the lead. At the 5 kilometre point of the run Snowsill was able to break away and cruise to her sixth world cup win. A fading Fernandes was overtaken in the final kilometre by Densham.

An estimated 25,000 spectators enjoyed the 32 degree temperatures to watch a total of 73 of the world’s top women competing for valuable Olympic qualifying points and their share of the US$100,000 prize purse.


2007 Mooloolaba BG Triathlon World Cup – Elite Women results

1. SNOWSILL, Emma (AUS) 1:59:20
2. DENSHAM, Erin (AUS) 1:59:51
3. FERNANDES, Vanessa (POR) 2:00:01
4. TANNER, Debbie (NZL) 2:00:22
5. LISK Ricarda (GER) 2:00:57
6. HEWITT, Andrea (NZL) 2:01:09
7. NIWATA, Kiyomi (JPN) 2:01:29
8. LUXFORD, Annabel (AUS) 2:01:47
9. BENNETT, Laura (USA) 2:01:56
10. DITTMER, Anja (GER) 2:02:02

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