The Great Britain Age-Group Team has got the PruHealth World Triathlon Grand Final off to a winning start celebrating ten gold medals in the ITU Aquathlon Age-Group World Championships today (Wednesday 11 September).
There were 340 GB age-groupers in action today, with David Bartlett the first British age-group athlete across the line at the PruHealth World Triathlon Grand Final London. David was second overall and won silver in the 25-29 age-group behind Italian, Isacco Andrenucci.
After crossing the line, David commented: “This kind of event suits me, potentially more than triathlon. Coming from a swimming background and with the 1000m swim – we are used to 750m here in Britain – that played to my strengths and then it was just a case of hanging on for the run.
“I didn’t get to see the triathlon last year, but I came here yesterday and saw the guys setting up - it’s such a big project - and it’s good to be part of such a big thing happening in the UK.”
The first GB female across the line was Johanna Gascoigne-Owens in the 30-34 age-group. Johanna was competing in the Great Britain Age-Group Team for the first time and was delighted to cross the line as first British female and in turn winning her category commenting: “It was great actually, really good! It was a really busy race, great atmosphere, loads of supporters out on the course and it’s just a brilliant event and a good place to perform at your best.”
The Great Britain Age-Group Team also provisionally celebrated 10 silver and seven bronze medals in the ITU Aquathlon Age-Group World Championships. For full details of all GB medallists, please visit www.triathlon.org
Gold
Kevin Chesham m60-64
Kevin Partridge m55-59
Mike Trees m50-54
Gordon Crawford m45-49
Emma Holt f25-29
Jo Gascogne-Owens f30-34
Caroline Jones f35-39
Annie Wilson f50-45
Jane Bell f55-59
Peggy Crome f70-74
Silver
Paul Savage m35
Ron Evans m55-59
David Bartlett m25
Robert Lighthowler mU20
Katherine De Rome f20-24
Becki Newman f25-29
Sarah Lewis f30-34
Stephanie Maclean f35-39
Clare Elms f50-54
Julia Hector f60
Bronze
Danny Russell m30-34
Bud Johnston m55-59
Michael Smallwood m65-69
York f16
Claire Hann f30-34
Amy Pritchard f35-39
Jane Hanson f40-44
In the elite aquathlon races, Great Britain celebrated even more success with Morgan Davies winning the ITU Aquathlon Junior World title and David Bishop winning U23 gold.
Morgan commented: “It feels good, that was the aim when I came here to win the race and I did it, so I am really pleased. Now I can enjoy the rest of the weekend here and cheer on the rest of the team.”
U23 World Champion, David Bishop added: “It’s amazing, you couldn’t ask for a better place to race. I raced here in 2009 or 2010, when we had the first World Series race here and it was incredible, so to race here again, especially after the Olympics is pretty spectacular.”
Earlier in the day Melissa Reid (Tri-6b) and James Smith (Tri-3) competed in the paratriathlon races adding two gold medals to Great Britain’s day one tally.
Attention now turns to Trafalgar Square where the Opening Ceremony takes place tonight at 20.00 and begins the iconic London landmark’s transformation into Triathlon Square from 12 to 15 September. To find out more about the PruHealth World Triathlon Grand Final or Triathlon Square visit www.britishtriathlon.org/london2013
