World Triathlon

Tambin texto en espaol. Current U23 world triathlon champion, Erin Densham, capped an impressive 2007 domestic race series by taking out the Australian Olympic Distance championships in Geelong last weekend. Three wins from three starts earns Erin a triple crown as ITU Australian Champion, ITU Oceania Champion and Australian under 23 Champion for 2007 adding this to the Australian sprint distance title she claimed in Hobart a fortnight ago and the series opener in Perth in early February.

The Geelong win was even more impressive given that this event was another step up in competition level with the likes of Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Andrea Hewitt, Liz Blatchford, ITU World Under 23 bronze medallist Nicky Samuels and noted runner and ITU World Cup Winnrer Debbie Tanner as well as all the Australian contenders competing in Geelong.

Densham has quickly become renown as an exceptional runner and it was with this improved run that Erin spring boarded to victory in Geelong. The race unfolded with Sarah McLarty and former world number one Annabel Luxford escaping during the swim leg. Following this duo were pre race favourites including Hewitt, Blatchford and Samuels. Exiting the swim 1min 16 behind Erin found herself with World Championship bronze medallist and rival Felicity Abram and Debbie Tanner and this group worked together to limit their losses throughout the bike.

Once the chasing three caught Luxford and McLarty their lead grew slowly throughout the bike leg and these five girls exited transition with what seemed like a race winning 2 minute buffer to the Densham, Abram and Tanner group. Luxford having learnt a valuable lesson in Hobart two weeks prior quickly took off in an attempt to keep the chasers at bay. Leaving transition it was Debbie Tanner who charged off in pursuit and in the early stages Densham trailed Tanner, even as the two ate into the lead of Luxford it was not until the 5km mark that Erin accelerated and caught Tanner.

I started to feel good at 5km and decided to surge, from this point on I felt better and better stated Densham after the race. To the astonishment of the crowd and respected Triathlon critics alike Densham took about destroying the leading margin held by Luxford and passed Tanner, McLarty, Blatchford and then Hewitt before calmly moving past Luxford with 1500 meters remaining to the finish. Not content with just winning Densham kept her foot to the floor and opened up a 30 second lead before she was able to relax and celebrate in style crossing the line with her arms raised to take the title.

I thought I was a chance but I did not feel as good as in Hobart, when I got to 5km I knew it was all or nothing. I am still taking it all in today, I cant believe it! concluded Densham. Erin now moves on March 11th with her coach and VIS training partners to the Gold Coast to finalise preparation for BG Triathlon World Cup season opener on March 25 in Mooloolaba.

Erin Densham cruising home to victory in Geelong.

La actual campeona del mundo Sub23 de triatln, Erin Desham, culmin una impresionante serie de carreras domsticas en 2007 al hacerse con el Campeonato de Australia de Distancia Olmpica el pasado fin de semana en Geelong. Tres victorias en tres participaciones hacen de ella Campeona ITU de Australia, Campeona ITU de Oceana y Campeona Sub23 de Australia en 2007 a lo que hay que aadir el ttulo de Sprint de Australia que logr en Hobart y la apertura de la series de Perth a principios de Febrero.

La victoria en Geelong fue ms impresionante si cabe debido a que este acontecimiento fue otro paso adelante a nivel de competicin con la presencia de atletas como la medallista de bronce de los Juegos de la Commonwealth Andrea Hewitt, Liz Blatchford, Nicky Samuels medallista de bronce Sub23 de la ITU y la gran corredora y ganadora de la Copa del Mundo ITU Debbie Tanner as como otras corredoras Australianas.

Densham rpidamente se ha creado un nombre como una corredora excepcional y fue con esta cualidad con la que se hizo con la victoria en Geelong. La carrera se abri con la escapada en la natacin de Sarah McLarty y la antigua numero uno del mundo Annabel Luxford. Siguiendo a este do eran favoritas antes de la carrera Hewitt, Blatchford y Samuels. Terminando la natacin en 1min 16 Erin se encontr con la medallista de bronce del Campeonato del Mundo y rival Felicity Abram y Debbie Tanner y este grupo trabaj junto para limitar sus prdidas en bici.

Una vez que las perseguidoras alcanzaron a Luxford y McLarty su ventaja fue creciendo lentamente en la carrera en bici y estas cinco mujeres salieron de la transicin con lo que pareca una victoria con 2 minutos sobre el grupo de Densham, Abram y Tanner. Luxford que haba aprendido una valiosa leccin en Hobart dos semanas antes rpidamente se despeg en un intento de alejarse de las perseguidoras. A la salida de la transicin fue Debbie Tanner la que se escap a su bsqueda y en las primeras etapas Densham segua de cerca a Tanner, pese a que a ambas les desagradaba la ventaja de Luxford no fue antes de la seal de 5km que Erin aceler y cogi a Tanner.

Empec a sentirme bien en los 5km. y decid acelerar, a partir de ah empec a sentirme cada vez mejor coment Densham despus de la carrera. Entre el asombro del pblico y las crticas respetuosas Desham se volc en destruir el margen que haca liderar a Luxford y pas a Tanner, McLarty, Blatchford y despus Hewitt para luego pasar tranquilamente a Luxford con 1500m hasta la lnea de meta. No contenta solo con ganar Densham sigui adelnate y sac una ventaja de 30 segundos para cruzar la meta con sus brazos alzados y hacerse con el ttulo.

Pens que era una oportunidad pero no me sent tan bien como Hobart, cuando quedaban 5Km me di cuenta de que era todo o nada. Todava no puedo crermelo!concluy Densham. Erin ahora se traslada el da 11 de Marzo con su entrenador y compaeros a la Gold Coast para finalizar la preparacin para el inicio de la temporada de la Copa del Mundo BG de Triatln el 25 de Marzo en Mooloolaba.

Erin Densham cruzando la meta en Geelong.