Digital magazines from the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the World Triathlon Series
Issue link: http://worldtriathlon.uberflip.com/i/1313191
With really cold temperatures but the sun fighting to warm the magnificent course in Asiago, 28 women lined up at 9am for the first race of the day and it was clear from the opening metres of the run that the Russian team was going to make it very complicated for the rest of the field in the battle for podium positions. Over the first two laps of the run course, a group of six athletes commanded by Anna Medvedeva began to spread out, with another three Russians - Daria Rogozina, Yulia Surikova, Svetelana Sokolova - plus Sandra Merihofer (ITA) and Marte Katrine Myhre (NOR) all in the mix. The conditions were ideal for running and, by the time the leaders made it to the first transition, it was the Norwegian leading by 20 seconds. But when it was time to get on their bikes, the Russians proved their experience and made some impressive transitions, with Surikova leaving T1 in first place. She knew that she needed some daylight behind her before heading to the cross country ski section if she wanted to stay in the top positions, so she pushed incredibly hard to maintain the gap over her teammates. Behind her, Rogozina and Sokolova kept the Russians dream of a podium sweep alive, while Medvedeva fell a little behind. But the four of them knew that the race would be decided in the last section, and when it comes to the skis, there's really no other like Rogozina. The young Russian, was determined to chase Surikova as soon as they were gliding through the Campolongo, and it took her only one lap to pass and take the lead, further back Medvedeva looked determined to shine on her Worlds debut. But it was Rogozina who was all smiles when she took the tape, stopping the clock on 1.33.22. Behind her, Medvedeva grabbed the silver medal on her debut, marking the fastest split of the day on the skis, while teammate Surikova crossed the finish line in third completing a podium sweep for the Russians. Svetlana Sokolova claimed the U23 title with Maria Luiza Rasina (ROM) and Nadezhda Belkina (RUS) completing the podium. In the Junior's race, Zuzana Michalikova claimed gold and the World title, while Margareta Andreeva finishing in the second place and Polina Sadovaia (RUS) with bronze. WINTER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ASIAGO Rogozina regains women's crown Full Results 97 contents