World Triathlon

World triathlon champion, the Gold Coast’s Emma Snowsill, has added her first   Australian National Olympic distance title to her belt, winning the Geelong   Triathlon in sensational form today.

She crossed the finish line in 2h 2m 10s, more than one and half minutes in   front on second placegetter Annabel Luxford with Brisbane teenager, Felicity   Abram running down veteran Nicole Hackett, to take third.

The in-form Triathlete of the Australian female scene, Snowsill led from the   start, coming out of the 1500m swim first and leading the 40km bike, before   being caught by the chasing pack of Luxford and mother of one, Hackett, on the   bike.

A shoe fumble in transition for Snowsill, saw Luxford dart from the change   and take the early lead in the 10km run but she was soon mowed down by the petite   Snowsill who stretched the lead to cross the finish 1min 35secs in front of   Luxford.

Abram’s third was impressive, the 18 year old overtaking Hackett and her two   minute plus lead in the final run leg, to secure the third podium spot.

But while Snowsill made it look easy, she said her legs felt like lead.

“I could not get them going, I thought I need to stop and have a stretch.   I don’t know what my problem was I couldn’t get my shoes on, I just felt shaky   and couldn’t get myself together. I always try to go out as hard as I can and   I saw Annabel up the road and I had to pin her down as fast as I could.

“But I had a strong day overall, which I am happy with, so that is all   I can ask for.

“I felt pretty good in the swim. I don’t like the wetsuit swims but today   it was pretty good for me and on the bike I felt strong but the lapped courses   always take that little bit more out of you and being cold, that is probably   why I felt the way I did on the run.

“The circuit type of racing with the multi laps and u-turns and a hill   like that really takes the sting out of your legs.

“I finally got my Australian title. To come into Triathlon and try and   take an Australian title is pretty near impossible with the depth of Australian   girls talent. There is never a lull in the field and you have to take it when   you can. It is just as hard as winning a World Championship,” said Snowsill.

Twenty three year old Snowsill has already secured her 2005 World Champion   selection with a win at Hobart in February; but Luxford’s 2nd will secure her   a position in the team for the world champs in Japan, subject to ratification   by the selection committee tomorrow (Monday). Luxford was the 2004 under 23   World Champion.

“This was my first race back from a broken wrist. I crashed my bike in   training at the end of January,” said Luxford after the race.

“Everything is all healed, I just need to get a bit more swimming fitness   and brush up on the technical side on the bike, it was a bit rusty.

“I have made the under 23 team before but it is a big step to make the   open team. It is always full of great athletes.”

Victory also gave Snowsill the ITU Oceania Regional title.

Full race results available on the Triathlon   Australia Website.