RTE NEWS Irish triathlete Emma Davis has moved into an Olympic qualifying spot after recording a ninth place finish at the Triathlon World Cup in South Africa at the weekend.
The Bangor woman has climbed 11 places to 72 in the latest world rankings after her impressive performance in Richards Bay.
There are three races left to count towards qualification; the European Championships in Portugal on 10 May, the final leg of the World Cup in Madrid on 25 May, and the World Championships in Vancouver on 5 June.
‘This is a new PB for me in a World Cup,’ a beaming Davis commented.
‘It also means that at the moment I am in an Olympic qualifying spot. I have to defend the place until after the World Championships now.’
Davis opened with her trademark strong swim in South Africa, coming out of the water just behind the leaders and moving on to the bike-leg in the main pack.
Showing her improving run form, Emma put in a strong 10km leg, crossing the line in ninth close behind the leaders.
Canada’s Carolyn Murray was victorious in a time of 2.03:32, with Davis recording a time of 2.04:29 for the 1500m swim, 40km cycle and 10km run course.
Ireland’s leading male triathlete Gavin Noble is chasing Olympic qualification via a different route to Davis.
Noble is hoping to secure the European Flag qualification slot which is awarded to the leading athlete in each continent as per the Continental Cup rankings.
Noble currently occupies the slot ahead of his closest rivals; Tamas Liptak of Hungary, and Zvonko Cubric of Croatia.
Noble or Davis are bidding to become the first Irish triathletes to qualify for the Olympics.