GE Great Britain Team member Lesley Paterson came from behind with a late surge and passed Melanie McQuaid (CAN) in the final lap of the run to win gold and her first ITU world title.  McQuaid, the defending champion who led for much of the race, took silver and Carla Van Huysteen (RSA), bronze.

 

"I feel great. Training has gone well, prep went well," said Paterson.  "I was feeling energised and ready to rumble. Everything went to plan really. I had a little mechanical on the bike.  My chain came off.  Everything else went pretty smooth."

 

As the afternoon heat descended upon the women, they entered the water with McQuaid leading the first pack after lap 1. By the second lap, South Africa's Van Huyssteen had overtaken the lead heading into T2 with Michelle Flipo (MEX), Suzie Snyder (USA), McQuaid, and Paterson, following close behind. Shortly into the first lap of the bike, McQuaid moved ahead and built a significant lead, which put her more than two minutes ahead of her contenders by the third lap of the bike. 

 

The tide began to turn on the run when Paterson got into stride creating a large margin between her and the second pack, and began closing down the leader.  On the second lap, Paterson shot past McQuaid and never looked back adding  the ITU World Championship to her 2011 XTERRA world championship title. 

 

Fellow Brit, Darrelle Parker came in 17th place overall.

 

In the men’s event, it was Richard Stannard who was the highest placed British athlete finishing in fifth place after leading the field out of the swim. Llewellyn Holmes finished in 14th place after the 1.5km swim, 30km mountain bike and 10km trail run. 

 

South Africa's Conrad Stoltz won the ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships with Craig Evans of the USA finished a strong race for silver and Christopher Legh of Australia, took home the bronze. 

 

In addition to the elite athletes, a small GE Great Britain Age-Group Team was also in action with results listed below:

 

In the paratriathlon event, Paul Thomas improved upon his bronze medal won in 2011, by winning silver in Alabama.

 

Final Results - Elite Women 

1.5km swim, 30km mountain bike, 10km trail run

1 Lesley Paterson, (GBR) 02:24:39 

2 Melanie McQuaid, (CAN) 02:27:15 

3 Carla Van Huysteen, (RSA) 02:28:34 

17 Darrelle Parker (GBR) 02:48:53 

 

Final Results - Elite Men 

1.5km swim, 30km mountain bike, 10km trail run

1 Conrad Stoltz, (RSA) 02:12:11 

2 Evans, Craig (USA) 02:12:58 

3 Christopher Legh, (AUS) 02:14:11 

5 Stannard Richard (GBR) 02:16:10 

14 Llewellyn Holmes (GBR) 02:22:31

 

GE Great Britain Age-Group Team Results

Female 30-34

5  -  Sian Turner

6  -  Amy Parkinson

 

Male 50-54:   

4  -  Andy Chatterton

9  -  Nicholas Farnell