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|  Tropical Hurricane Michelle No Match For ITU World Cup Triathletes November 5, 2001 Courtesy: ITU
A late season hurricane skimmed the coast of Mexico this
weekend, however the buffeting winds and tropical rains could
not dampen the spirits of Sheila Taormina (USA) (pictured)
and Greg Bennett
(AUS) as they took victory in the ITU World Cup Cancun. On the line in Cancun was not only a World Cup race, but also
the final opportunity for athletes to earn World Ranking and
Olympic Qualifying points for 2001. The women were not deterred by angry waves as they plunged
definantly into the Carribean Sea. Due to Coastguard Authority
ruling, the course was required to be reduced to a one thousand
meter swim, while the bike leg was cut to 38.8km due to some
flooding on the road. Emerging first from the water was an American quartet, led by
World Cup debutante Susie Stark, Taormina, Barbara Lindquist and
Laura Reback. The leaders' margin was slim, from Sandra Soldan (BRA), Becky
Gibbs (USA), Leanda Cave (GBR) and Barbara Koesser (GER). However the leaders pushed the pace immediately and stretched
their 20 second lead to a minute during the first of six laps on
the bike. At the half way point of the bike, the aggressive pair
of Taormina and Lindquist made a successful breakaway from
Reback and Stark, who were swallowed by the chasing group of
nine athletes. Meanwhile a third chasing pack was beginning to move on the
field, significantly containing former World Duathlon Champion,
the Scottish Stephanie Forrester (GBR). Taormina and Lindquist fought to retain their lead and went into
transition two with a 1:05 lead. Taormina attacked out of
transition, improving around 15 seconds for each of the four
laps on the run from Lindquist. Cave and Koesser were apparently
battling for third, before a storming Forrester caught all but
Taromina during the final 2.5km lap. "I knew that I had won when there was around five hundred meters
to go," said an elated Taromina, Atlanta Olympic Swimming Gold
Medalist. "I felt during the whole race that I had to
concentrate on keeping positive thoughts mentally. I had to keep
telling myself, 'I can do this, I can win this race!' I am
really happy that I didn't defeat myself!" By the start of the men's race the wind seemed to have subsided
a little. Andrew Johns (GBR) led the race early, however it was
compatriot Richard Stannard (GBR) who was the first to exit the
swim. Close behind was Matt Reed (NZL), Xavier Llobet (ESP) and
Stephane Poulat (FRA). The ensuing rains added a greater challenge to the race and the
formation of packs were constantly changing. For some in the leading group, a stray dog running onto the
course ended the race. Frederic Belaubre (FRA) and Chris Moffatt
(GBR) were unable to finish, while Johns, Martin Krnavek (CZE)
and others lost contact with the lead bunch. By transition two, Greg Bennett had worked hard together with
Rasmus Henning (DEN) and Doug Friman (USA) to catch the leaders.
Jose Merchan (ESP) also rode with the chasing pack to join the
lead. A tight group containing Merchan, Poulat and Bennett quickly
formed. "I tried to break away at the 2.5km point," admitted
Bennett. "But then I realized that the wind was too much and it
could be a mistake to run alone." The decision to run with a group was an anxious one for Bennett,
who was surprised at the running ability of Merchan. During the
final kilometers it was Poulat who first dropped away from the
lead, then Bennett took control with only three hundred meters
to run. "After a year of second places, I'm finally back on the winner's
podium," said Bennett. "The most important part of my race was
to catch the first group on the bike, and I worked hard with
Rasmus [Henning] and Doug Friman [USA] to achieve that. I owe
part of my victory to them today." Bennett's success importantly lifted his world ranking to 10th,
while Poulat moved into eigth, relegating Olympic Champion Simon
Whitfield who had managed to hold a top ten position. At the top of the world rankings ladder, Chris Hill was elated
to retain his World Cup title for 2001. "It's a great honor to win the title for the year. I didn't
start the year with such a grand ambition, just wanting to do
the best I could in each race of the series. I'm totally happy
with the year and I owe it to my parents who have been so
supportive throughout my career." Craig Watson (NZL) and Andrew Johns (GBR) finished the season at
second and third. Taormina's result significantly improved her world ranking from
27th to 16th, while Forrester improved from 14th to 10th and
Lindquist from 5th to 4th. Meanwhile the first three ranked
women remained unchanged, with Lindley, Loretta Harrop (AUS) and
Michellie Jones (AUS).
Women
Other U.S. Finishers
Men
Other U.S. Finishers
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