The Great Britain Age-Group Team celebrated 12 gold medals today (Friday 13 September), competing in the ITU Sprint Triathlon Age-Group World Championships here in London’s iconic Hyde Park.
More than 500 GB Age-Group triathletes competed in the sprint distance event (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run) as part of the PruHealth World Triathlon Grand Final London. Months of training and preparation were finally put into practice as they pulled on the GB tri-suit - many for the first time.
On Wednesday, the team celebrated 10 gold, 10 silver and 7 bronze in the ITU Aquathlon Age-Group World Championships, and today that medal tally was boosted by 12 gold, 12 silver and 5 bronze medals.
Lauren York who competed in the Under 20 category was the first British female to cross the finish line, although a tough international field meant she finished ninth in her age-group.
Lauren commented: “It feels amazing, I really enjoyed the bike and I was catching a lot of people. I was a little bit behind on the swim, so I need to work on that. It’s amazing to be on home ground and everybody shouting, ‘Go GBR’, it really lifts you up.”
Roger Kiernan, who won silver in his 70-74 age-group added: “I missed out on bronze by one second on in the aquathlon, so I had my revenge today. Everybody is cheering everybody, it keeps you going when the legs are ready to go. It’s a great buzz.”
Lucy Smith, who won the 20-24 age-group, was impressed with the support on course, despite the wet conditions, commenting: “The spectators make everything so much easier, they really lift you - it’s incredible. Even with the weather like this, you wouldn’t think they would come out, but they have and are cheering on us Brits.”
Dawn Vaughan, Assistant Team Manger for the Great Britain Age-Group Team added: “I am just so proud of them all, it’s been a really tough race because of the weather conditions, but they have all performed to their best. This venue is incredible and I don’t think any of the other nations will have ever been in a city that offers so much.”
The next GB age-group action will be in the ITU Standard Distance Triathlon Age-Group World Championships on Sunday, where athletes will compete on an iconic course that takes in some of London’s most iconic landmarks including Wellington Arch, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and the Embankment.
