Aitken and Ryan sprint to Hungary
The wins earned the pair automatic selection to the 2010 ITU World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, in September.
Aitken, the reigning Youth Olympics champion, made the most of chief rival Ashleigh Gentle’s pre-race withdrawal due to a hip strain, sitting comfortably in a lead bike pack of six during the 20km ride before stamping her authority early in the 5km run. The Victorian eventually won in a time of 1hr 2secs, more than a minute clear of Queensland pair Amy Roberts and Courtney Dutton.
Ellie Salthouse, who surprised Aitken in Canberra last month to secure a place at this year’s Youth Olympics in Singapore, paid the price for a poor swim, but ran well from the chase group to claim fourth.
The junior men’s race was tighter, but it was Ryan Fisher who had the legs in the end, winning in a time of 56min 45secs, almost half a minute clear of Drew Viles. The Queensland pair was among a group of six in a lead pack on the bike that worked hard to ensure the medals were shared between them.
Michael Lori, of WA, made an early move on the run and it was Fisher and Viles who responded most positively, before Fisher made his own move at the halfway mark that proved decisive.
Ben Shaw, based in Queensland but racing for Ireland, was third just six seconds behind Viles, although his international status meant the bronze medal for the national title went to Jack Hickey of NSW. In a similar scenario to the women’s race, Australia’s representative for this year’s Youth Olympics, the ACT’s Michael Gosman, had to run from well behind in the chase pack to record the second-fastest run split for sixth place.
The Sandringham event was the third race in the Australian Junior Triathlon Championships, with the final race of the series being the Oceania Championships in Wellington, NZ, on March 13.
AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIPS
FEMALES:
- Holly Aitken (Vic) 1:00:02
- Amy Roberts (Qld) 1:01:16
- Courtney Dutton (Qld) 1:01:36
MALES:
- Ryan Fisher (Qld) 56:45
- Drew Viles (Qld) 57:12
- Ben Shaw (Ireland) 57:18
