Ireland’s top triathlete Aileen Reid got her season off to a flying start thanks to a podium finish in the ITU Devonport Sprint Oceania Championships. Reid and training partner Jodie Stimpson relished the big swells and put in a strong swim over the 750m course, crucially exiting the water ahead of many of the big names. The duo were however almost a minute down on swim specialist Maddison Allen of Australian.
Reid and Stimpson worked hard on the bike catching Allen on the final lap. The leading three had a 30 second advantage over the chasers starting the run but noted runner Gwen Jorgensen soon began to eat into their lead.
Stimpson, who has being putting a particular focus on her running over the past 6 months was too strong and held on to take the victory. Jorgensen’s fast running meant she overcame Aileen pushing her into 3rd in the final kilometres.
The result is an encouraging start to Aileen’s season with the Devonport race containing a strong field. Aileen can now turn her attention to building up her run fitness for an assault on the Mooloolaba World Cup in 3 weeks time.
Bryan Keane also had a successful day winning the Ocean Splash and Dash Aquathlon in Wollongong.
ITU News here
