Groves Finishes 13th in Hamburg September 11, 2006 -- The streak is over for Lauren Groves. Competing in her 11th ITU race and 7th World Cup of the season Groves finished 13th yesterday in the Hamburg World Cup. It was the first time this year that Groves has finished out of the top 10. Despite the disappointing finish, Groves managed to pick up 9 World Cup points and maintain her world ranking of third. Groves, who had a chance to move up to second spot in the World Rankings, said the swimming conditions were dangerous. “There were so many people in the water that it wasn’t even swimming.” 87 swimmers were by far the most competitors for a Women’s World Cup race this season. Groves finished the race in 1:56:07 Groves went on to say that she injured her foot in the second transition while trying to put her shoe on and this affected her on the corners and turnarounds as the pressure on her foot as very painful. Groves said she was really worried about doing the foot more damage while on the run. “My foot is swollen and bruised and I can’t put any pressure on the outside of my foot.” Groves will be heading back to Victoria for X-rays and treatment in hopes of being ready for the next World Cup race in Beijing in 2 weeks. Groves has her sights set on a top 3 year end World Ranking, and if her foot heals quickly, Groves will compete in the final 3 World Cup races this season in Beijing, Cancun and New Plymouth. The most recent rankings didn’t change – with Fernandes, Franzmann, Groves and Snowsill rounding out the top 4. World number one ranked Vanessa Fernandes of Portugal was able to beat out a stellar international women’s field for her eleventh straight triathlon world cup win in a row. Fernandes’ time of 1:53:11 was 11 seconds faster then her closest rival Debbie Tanner of New Zealand and third place Laura Bennett of the United States, who was a further minute and 14 seconds back. “We have a beautiful race today and a great crowd and I am so pleased to win today,” said Fernandes, who will celebrate her 21st birthday in three days. “It means that I am prepared for next year at the World Championships.” After finishing second one week ago at the 2006 Triathlon World Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland, Fernandes was on good form to win today’s preview of next year’s world championships, which will be held on the same course in late August. The world-class field of athletes brought a total of 310,000 cheering spectators onto the course over the two days of competition, officials estimated. “The crowd is so great and it was good to be back today and have a good race,” commented Bennett, who hasn’t raced here since 2002. “They [the crowd] really do lift you and the German’s are great at lifting you.” As for the Canadian women, Edmonton’s Carolyn Murray was 22nd in 1:57:48. Montreal’s Kathy Tremblay was 32nd in 1:58:36 and Penticton, BC’s, Jill Savege was 34th in 1:58:48. Paul Tichelaar, from Edmonton, had the best finish on the Men’s side crossing the finish line in 18th spot in 1:44:07. Hamilton’s Colin Jenkins was 39th in 1:46:12 and Kyle Jones, from Oakville, Ontario was 49th in 1:47:28. Javier Gomez cruised to his second world cup victory as an outstanding field of triathlon champions and veterans could not overcome the young Spaniard. Olympic bronze medalist Sven Riederer of Switzerland was second, and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Brad Kahlefeldt of Australia, finished third in the test event for the 2007 BG Triathlon World Championships. Gomez was able to beat out a world-class field over the 1,500 metre swim, 40 kilometre bike and 10 kilometre run for his fourth world cup podium in five races. “I did not expect to win,” stated the 23 year old Gomez. “I did not feel very good last week in Lausanne so I was hungry to do well today and I am very pleased with the result. I think it was the fastest run of my life” I am still growing up in this sport,” commented the university student Gomez. “I would like to be at the top in two or three years.” The young Spaniard is well on his way, moving up to third in the world with his win today. Riederer and Kahlefeldt raced neck in neck until the last 200 metres when the Swiss athlete started his sprint to the line. “I think I felt stronger than Brad in the run, I always have a good sprint finish and I pushed very hard 200 metres from the end and Brad could not come with me.” explained Riederer, who finished third here last year. “The last 500 metres we really pushed it,” responded Kahlefeldt, who moves into first place in the world cup rankings after today. “I kept the pace on just to keep Bevan [Docherty] away. I just wanted the podium today to build my points up for the world rankings. “ Back to Articles Page

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