Information on Loughborough

Loughborough trio win World University silver for triathlon

Posted on 09/07/2008

triathlon

A Loughborough trio secured silver for Britain at the World University Triathlon Championship in Turkey last weekend (28 June).

Students Rosie Clarke, Carol Bridge and Loughborough-based Jess Towl, who joins the University in September, gained top finishes at the international meet to take the team to the podium.

Loughborough’s Dann Brooke, who has previously competed at world and European U23 level, and Fresher Mark Threlfall were two thirds of a men’s team that finished fourth overall – missing out on a medal position by just nine seconds.

In the women’s event, Towl and Bridge were in the first group out the water. Bridge took the lead, completing a lap of the 40km course on her own, before she was later caught by Clarke, who joined her in the leading pack. Clarke edged ahead to cross the line in fifth position in front of Bridge in ninth and Towl in 18th.

Threlfall led the men on the swim with team mate Brooke just behind. Both were within the front pack on the bike, and Brooke maintained the advantage to sit in fourth for the majority, but just missed out on the final sprint for the line. Threlfall fell back on the run to finish 23rd, the 90% humidity and temperatures in the mid-30s getting to the 20-year-old.

Loughborough and British Universities coach Gavin Smith was impressed with the team’s performance.

“The students conducted themselves very professionally and enjoyed their time out there,” he said. “It’s a fantastic achievement for the girls to win team silver.

“The heat acclimatisation training at Loughborough University certainly aided their performance and helped the athletes adapt to the heat.”