Digital magazines from the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the World Triathlon Series
Issue link: http://worldtriathlon.uberflip.com/i/1313191
Of the 65 women who took to the start line in Hamburg, it was swim experts Jessica Learmonth (GBR) and Cassandre Beaugrand (FRA) who were quickly out front, powering their way to the first buoy and stretching the field as hard and fast as they could. USA's Taylor Spivey and Summer Rappaport were predictably on their heels though, Therese Feuersinger (AUT) coming through to exit the water alongside Learmonth. USA's Reigning world champion Katie Zaferes, 2018 champion Vicky Holland and 2016 and 2017 champion Duffy emerged together only 8 seconds off the front along with Taylor-Brown and Lotte Miller (NOR). With the surface slightly slick with rain, Beaugrand lost early ground on Learmonth and Feuersinger with a small bike error on the first sharp corner but was quickly back up and riding. Duffy and Zaferes were heading the chase pack looking to catch Learmonth and Feuersinger just five seconds ahead, the likes of Rachel Klamer (NED), and Lindemann behind them and down 13 seconds off the leaders. By the halfway point the front duo were caught and Georgia Taylor-Brown assumed the duties out front of a large leading group of 18 athletes. A minute back, Vicky Holland was working hard with Anja Knapp (GER), Edda Hannesdottir (ISL) and Valerie Barthelemy (BEL), while up front, almost all the big names were looking to set up a dramatic shootout over 5km. Learmonth was straight out alongside Flora Duffy, Zaferes struggled in T2 and found herself five seconds back, leaving Duffy and Learmonth opening up an important lead over the first 500m, quickly joined by Taylor-Brown after she kicked on to join them. Spivey, Lindemann, Klamer and Maya Kingma (NED) were holding on but were soon 15 seconds back from the front after the first kilometre as Taylor- Brown made the first move and opened up daylight behind her. By halfway of the 5km, Duffy had pulled away into second, Learmonth was caught by Lindemann and Spivey, reigning champion Zaferes now 22 seconds off the pole position. It was Taylor-Brown wanting to dictate the race though and she looked composed with a healthy 10-second advantage into the second of two laps. Duffy was never going to give up the chase though, but as Spivey and Lindemann faded, gold and silver were sealed. It was an impeccable race from start to finish for Taylor-Brown, and she could really soak in her first world title down the final few hundred metres. Silver for Duffy was another great effort for the Bermudian beset by injury in 2018 and 2019, and bronze went to home favourite Lindemann. Spivey held on for fourth, last year's champion Zaferes finished in fifth 34 seconds back, Maya Kingma (NED) sixth. Learmonth, Klamer, Miller and Feuersinger completed the top 10. "It just sort of happened", said the new World Champion. "I felt really comfortable setting off on the run, I really enjoyed the gravel running, that's like my kind of running. I felt really comfortable on the gravel and thought let's just go for it", said Taylor-Brown. "It feels weird saying that I am the World Champion because it's been an unusual year. We're missing a few people as well. I am the world champion but in my eyes, Katie (Zaferes) is still the World Champion next year." HAMBURG WASSER WORLD TRIATHLON SERIES (W) Full Results Watch the race on 15 contents