(Montreal) Briton Beth Potter won gold in 58:10 for the women at the Montreal Triathlon, while Australian Matthew Hauser won for the men.
The best athletes on the planet are in action at the Port of Montreal’s Grand Quay.
After the junior groups on Friday, it was the women’s turn at the end of the morning on Saturday.
Potter beat Frenchwoman Léonie Périault by three seconds.
American Summer Rappaport completed the podium, 10 seconds behind Potter.
Quebecer Emy Legault finished 40e.
She was one of 47 athletes to set off from the start line at 11:36 a.m. for the 750-meter swim.
Then the ladies cycled 20.16 kilometers through the streets of the Old Port, before concluding their triathlon with a five kilometer run.
Legault, who won gold in the women’s relay and silver in the individual event at the 2013 Canada Summer Games, won the Junior National Championships in 2014, as well as the North American Championships in 2015.
With a time of 9 min 29 s swimming, 34 min 42 s cycling and 17 min 50 s running, Legault finished in 1 h 02 min 1 s.
The Quebecer explained that obviously, she could not say that she was satisfied with her triathlon. However, the one coming back from an injury remained realistic.
“I’m slowly getting back in shape,” said Legault. I got outplayed early on, so that was already complicating things. On the bike, I was a little too careful on the first laps and it cost me a peloton. However, I think the big positive of the day is that I raced really well for someone who hasn’t really raced in the last two months. »
Legault felt he had several things to work on in order to be more competitive throughout the triathlon.
“Me and my coach started working on some things that we targeted two weeks ago,” added Legault. Of course, we’re not going to see progress so quickly, but we’ve really found the areas where I need to improve. »
She explained that in the end, the ultimate goal remains the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Triathlons like the one on Saturday make it possible to prepare for participation in these Games.
“Even if it costs me a worse year in 2023, it’s worth it,” concluded Legault.
The other Canadian in action, Dominika Jamnicky, finished 17e with a time of 59 min 6 s.
Hauser triumphs in men
Australian Matthew Hauser won gold in 53:47 for the men.
Quebecer Charles Paquet, who started well with a time of 8 min 22 s in the swim, finished with a time of 54 min 10 s, good for seventh place. He finished 23 seconds behind Hauser.
“It equals my best performance in the World Triathlon Championship Series,” said Paquet. To realize this at home, in front of family and friends, it feels good, I think I couldn’t ask for better. I was super excited. »
Two other Canadians were in action. Tyler Mislawchuk concluded his competition in 54 min 39 s and Martin Sobey in 56 min 55 s.
While the race was very tight until halfway through the race, the rain complicated things for the athletes, who had to be extra careful.
Some have fallen off their bikes due to bumps and rain in the road. During turns, some athletes chose to get off their bikes and go around on foot before getting back on their seats, due to the other athletes near them and the risk of falling.
Paquet suspected that the course was going to be slippery. He explained that he however had the advantage of being at the front of the group.
“I wasn’t stuck by the others,” said the athlete. I tried to be in the best position possible throughout the course and not to take any risks in the turns. I told myself that if I stayed on my wheels, the rest would be played out on foot. »