TRIATHLON Ireland's Emma Davis finishes 14th in second Triathlon World Cup
Ireland’s Emma Davis put in another impressive performance at the second Triathlon World Cup in New Plymouth, New Zealand with a 14th place finish; one better than last week in Australia. The field of 52 elite women was again very strong, particularly as Australian Olympic selectors were using the race as one of its markers for their team selection for the Games. Davis lined up alongside current stars of women’s Triathlon including the Australian favourites Felicity Abram and Emma Moffat who finished third and first respectively Lisa Norden of Sweden took the silver medal.
Conditions were ideal for racing, with the temperature around 21 degrees centigrade, and very calm water. Davis produced her now trade mark strong swim and came out of the water in the first pack. In transition to the bike the experience she has gained over the last number of months was on show, with a particularly fast change making it out on the bike with the leaders.
The bike course was a tough six lap affair with one long hill each lap; a true test of strength. Davis demonstrated the depth of her winter training with strong technical cycling, riding out of harms way close to the front of the pack for each of the six laps. Nicky Samuels, a New Zealand athlete, made an attempt at breaking away on the bike, and with no-one going with her gained around 30 seconds on the pack.
Off the bike an equally testing run awaited the women's field, with more hills on the beautiful coastal run. Davis settled into good running rhythm with a group containing the strong British athlete Helen Tucker, and Davis ended up running with her to the line to claim her 14th position. Davis showed evidence of steady improvements in her running, after coming back from last year's minimal run training owing to injury, with a good 37:05 for the ten kilometres.
With consistent quality performances in these world class fields Davis strengthens her grip on Beijing qualification. On this year's results Davis, who is supported by the Irish Sports Council is ranked in the top twenty in the World. Next week sees Emma return back to Europe for the first races on the home circuit. Emma has two methods of qualification open to her; through the accumulation of world ranking points and the second option of getting enough European Cup points to take the flag placing. With Emma's current form she has strong chances on both qualification routes.
Emma's family originates from Bangor, Co Down, but she currently trains in Surrey England. Ireland has not had any Olympic Representation in Triathlon, but both Emma Davis and Gavin Noble are on the cusp of 2008 Olympic qualification. Official news of qualification for either or both athlete should be communicated to Triathlon Ireland by mid June.
Triathlon is one of the fastest growing sports in Ireland, and had over 8,000 people competing in Ireland in 2007.
Ends.
Issued on behalf of Triathlon Ireland by the Irish Sports Council
For more information:
Please visit www.triathlonireland.com ; jag@triathlonireland.com or call Triathlon Ireland on 01-2017758
Please note:
Pictures of Emma in action in Australia are available from Triathlon Ireland or the Irish Sports Council smcelroy@irishsportscouncil.ie
Additional Information:
Upcoming race schedule for Emma Davis
April 13 ITU Triathlon European Cup (Chiana, Greece)
April 19 ITU Triathlon Premium European Cup (Pontevedra, Spain)
April 26 Tongyeong BG World Cup (South Korea)
May 4 Richards Bay BG World Cup (South Africa)
May 10 ETU European Championships (Lisbon, Portugal)
May 18 ITU Triathlon European Cup (Brno, Czech Republic)
May 25 BG Triathlon World Cup (Madrid, Spain)
Upcoming Events for Gavin Noble
April 13 ITU Triathlon European Cup (Chania, Greece)
April 19 ITU Triathlon Premium European Cup (Pontevedra, Spain)
May 10 ETU European Championships (Lisbon, Portugal)
May 18 ITU Triathlon European Cup (Brno, Czech Republic)
May 25 BG Triathlon World Cup (Madrid, Spain)
For more info on any of these events www.triathlon.org
World Cup 2; New Plymouth, Australia - Race results
Place Name Country Time
1 Moffatt Emma AUS 02:01:01
2 Norden Lisa SWE 02:01:07
3 Abram Felicity AUS 02:01:16
4 Ryf Daniela SUI 02:01:48
5 Blatchford Liz GBR 02:01:48
6 Whitcombe Andrea GBR 02:01:59
7 Samuels Nicky NZL 02:02:10
8 Warriner Samantha NZL 02:02:42
9 Sharp Alee AUS 02:02:51
10 Hewitt Andrea NZL 02:03:02
11 Mensink Lisa NED 02:03:14
12 Tanaka Keiko JPN 02:03:15
13 Tucker Helen GBR 02:03:21
14 Davis Emma IRL 02:03:24
15 Murray Carolyn CAN 02:03:34