(Montreal) Emy Legault’s second place finish last weekend at the Triathlon World Cup in Huatulco, Mexico, had a price attached to it.
Posted at 4:57 p.m.
The 26-year-old Quebecer had to deal with foot injuries on Saturday en route to the 12e place in the women’s final at the World Sprint and Relay Championships in Montreal, at the Grand Quai du Vieux-Port.
“It was possible (to make a top-20), but I didn’t really expect that. I had to execute my plan perfectly, and I think I did well. There are a few little things I could have done better to get to the super-final, but I’m really satisfied,” said Legault a few minutes after the conclusion of his race.
The final was held over three consecutive heats, with the slowest 10 athletes in each being eliminated. The athletes had to compete on a course of 300 m swimming, 7.2 km cycling and 2 km running in the Old Port.
“It was really better in running in the second run. The top-10 was really in my reach, I worked really hard, and it seemed like the crowd was carrying me for the last 200 meters cheering me on. I really thought I could catch the Brazilian (in front of her), but I missed it a little bit, ”she continued.
Legault, from L’Île-Perrot, was eliminated in the second run. A satisfactory result, since she had declared the day before, after qualifying, that she was aiming for a top-20. Her result in the final is all the more satisfying as she was slowed down by foot injuries.
“I have blisters from last week’s race in Huatulco that haven’t had time to heal. I wrapped my feet, and I’ll probably be in the mixed relay tomorrow (Sunday). We will confirm that later today, or tomorrow morning, “said the one who participated in the sprint format for the first time in her career after taking part only in the relay last year in Montreal.
Twenty national teams will compete for the occasion, with at stake passes – two men and two women – for this event at the Paris Olympics in 2024. France is already assured of its place at the Olympics by virtue of its status as host country, if it wins on Sunday, then the passes will be given to the vice-world champions.
Britain’s Georgia Taylor-Brown was crowned world champion in the women’s individual event in 24:04, ahead of France’s Cassandre Beaugrand and Britain’s Beth Potter. For her part, the Ontarian Dominika Jamnicky, was satisfied with the 28e rung.
The competition was particularly painful for the participants, who had to perform under a blazing sun and a thermometer which indicated 29 degrees Celsius, 31 with the Humidex index.
The day before, during the qualifications, the triathlon events had been reduced to duathlons due to the recent precipitation that fell on the Montreal region, making the water flow of the St. Lawrence River too dangerous for the athletes. Which was not the case on Saturday.
The men’s final will take place later today. Quebecers Charles Paquet, from Port-Cartier, and Jérémy Briand, from Sainte-Julie, will take part, as will Manitoban Tyler Mislawchuk.
Like Legault, Mislawchuk stood out by finishing second in the individual event in Huatulco. The 27-year-old athlete was however trying to sign a third consecutive victory there.
A total of 1,500 participants from more than 40 countries compete in various categories in the metropolis over the weekend.
This is the largest international triathlon competition held in Quebec since the 1999 World Championships.
Montreal hosts the fifth stop of the World Triathlon Championship Series season after Hamburg, Abu Dhabi, Yokohama and Leeds.