“This is what I wanted,” said Warriner, who came within five points of second overall last year. “This is a fairytale ending to the year. I’ve worked so hard for this.”
A non-wetsuit swim and calm conditions greeted the athletes in the enclosed Huatulco Bay. Quickly to the front was the U.S. duo of Groff and Sarah Haskins along with Hewitt and Jodie Swallow of Great Britain. Almost 30 seconds back emerged Warriner. This deficit, however, would be erased within the fist few kilometres of the bike course by a charging Warriner. With a top seven result needed to secure the series title, Warriner continued to push the pace on the bike leading most of the 40-kilometres and taking both bike primes. In a small chase group 90 seconds back was Whitcombe with Lisa Norden of Sweden.
“That was the hardest race I have ever done in my life,” said Whitcombe about the course and conditions that claimed half of the women’s field. “That hill is killer and it was so hot out there. [Warriner and my] experience helped. Just because you are in your thirties doesn’t mean you are done yet.”
With temperatures rising to the high twenties, the lead group of four, having lost Haskins to a mechanical problem, entered second transition. Hewitt led out on the 10-kilometre run followed closely by Warriner. It was not long though before Warriner moved to the front, pulling away from the field. A 36:21 ten-kilometre run split was enough to assure Warriner the win. The Kiwi even had time to interact with the crowd before crossing the finish line.
The move of the race would be Whitcombe running her way onto the podium after the 90 second deficit with the days fastest run. Hewitt, having faltered in the heat finished back in sixth.
Huatulco BG Triathlon World Cup
Elite Women - Unofficial Results
1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
Gold – Samantha Warriner (NZL) 2:14:02
Silver – Sarah Groff (USA) 2:14:45
Bronze – Andrea Whitcombe (GBR) 2:15:02
4 – Jodie Swallow (GBR) 2:15:17
5 – Lisa Norden (SWE) 2:17:23
6 – Andrea Hewitt (NZL) 2:17:58
7 – Vendula Frintova (CZE) 2:18:54
8 – Jillian Petersen (USA) 2:22:21
De manera autoritaria, la neozelandesa Samantha Warriner, ha sido la triunfadora de la Copa del Mundo de Triathlon BG de Huatulco con un tiempo de 2 horas, 14 minutos y 2 segundos. Con la victoria Warriner se sitúa por delante de la australiana Felicity Abram y se proclama campeona de las series de la Copa del Mundo de Triatlón BG 2008. A cuarenta y tres segundos llegó en segunda posición la estadounidense Sarah Groff y en tercer lugar a otros 17 segundos la británica Andrea Whitcombe. Este es el primer podium de Groff en la copa del mundo.
Una nataciĂłn sin neopreno y unas condiciones tranquilas dieron la bienvenida a los atletas en la BahĂa de Huatulco. Rápidamente se situaron en cabeza el dĂşo estadounidense formado por Groff y Sarah Haskins junto con las británicas Hewitt y Jodie Swallow. A casi 30 segundos de desventaja se encontraba Warriner. Esta diferencia, sin embargo, serĂa anulada en los primeros kilĂłmetros del segmento de la bicicleta, por una ambiciosa Warriner. Necesitaba finalizar entre las siete primeras para asegurarse el tĂtulo de las series y Warriner continuaba poniendo el ritmo liderando la mayorĂa de los 40 kilĂłmetros. A 90 segundos, en un pequeño grupo perseguidor estaba Whitcombe junto con la sueca Lisa Norden.
Con la temperatura por encima de los veinte grados, el grupo de cabeza de cuatro, que habĂa perdido a Haskins por un problema mecánico, entrĂł en la segunda transiciĂłn. Hewitt lideraba a la salida de los diez kilĂłmetros de carrera seguida de cerca por Warriner. No paso mucho tiempo antes de que Warriner se colocase en cabeza. Un 36:21 en los diez kilĂłmetros del segmento de carrera fue suficiente para que Warriner se asegurase la victoria. La neozelandesa incluso tuvo tiempo de charlar con el pĂşblico antes de cruzar la lĂnea de meta.
