TRIATHLON 2015 ยท WORLD CUP SERIES 188
2015 BAKU
EUROPEAN GAMES
SPIRIG AND BENSON RUN AWAY WITH TITLES
The inaugural edition of the European Games
provided a 17-day celebration of international
competition for 50 countries across Europe
competing in 20 different sports. Triathlon was
no exception and the level of talent that raced was
unprecedented. The women's race was first to
compete, with 2012 Olympic Gold Medallist Nicola
Spirig (SUI) adding another crown to her long list of
accolades. With the Baku title came a spot for her
country at the Olympics. The battle between the
unfilled podium positions was left to Rachel Klamer
(NED) and Lisa Norden (SWE) in a dramatic sprint
finish. Klamer edged out Norden for silver, leaving
bronze for Norden.
In the men's race, action came to a crescendo as
21-year old Gordon Benson (GBR) cruised to victory
following a heroic joint effort from his British
teammates. Benson capitalized on his strongest
discipline to pull away from the competition in the
final run lap to claim gold and earn Great Britain
an Olympic quota spot. Silver was followed by Joao
Silva (POR). Rostyslav Pevtsov had the home crowd
roaring as the Azerbaijani athlete sprinted home to
steal bronze.
