TRIATHLON 2015 ยท CHICAGO GRAND FINAL 148
UNDER 23
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
SPRINT TO THE FINISH
Jacob Birtwhistle tallied the first title for the Austra-
lian nation as he was victorious in the first triathlon
race of the Grand Final event in Chicago. Birtwhistle
demonstrated leadership throughout the three discip-
lines, as one of the top men on each leg of the
triathlon. In the last lap of the run, he separated
himself from a five-man front pack to ultimately win
the race and take home the World Champion honour.
Coming across the finish line to stake out the
remaining two spots on the podium was Spanish
compatriots David Castro Fajardo with silver and
Nan Oliveras with bronze.
The 2015 ITU Women's Under23 World Championship
title went to Audrey Merle after she outran her French
compatriot on the blue carpet in a down to the wire
finish. Athletes competed in a sprint-distance race
due to unexpected weather patterns, which meant
the title would go to the one that could produce the
most speed.
Finishing just a hair after Merle, compatriot Leonie
Periault seized the silver medal. Melanie Santos (POR)
walked away with the bronze medal, a feat that is
especially significant that week as fellow Portuguese
Olympic star Vanessa Fernandes was honoured in the
ITU Hall of Fame the night before.
