Canada finishes fourth in Mixed Relay at the Games

Triathlon Magazine July 26, 2014

Andrew Yorke leads Kyle Jones to transition at the elite men's 2014 Commonwealth Games triathlon in Strathclyde Country Park in in Glasgow, Scotland (Photo: Nigel Farrow) — Andrew Yorke leads Kyle Jones to transition at the elite men’s 2014 Commonwealth Games triathlon in Strathclyde Country Park in in Glasgow, Scotland (Photo: Nigel Farrow)

Canada’s mixed relay team of Kirsten Sweetland, Matthew Sharpe, Sarah Ann Brault and Andrew Yorke came so close to taking home another medal this morning. They finished fourth in 1:14:17 only three seconds out of third in the woman-man-woman-man relay. Olympian Kyle Jones was absent, rushing back home to be with his wife who is due to have the couple’s first baby.

“Oh man, that was so nerve racking, it was so fun though,” said Sweetland. “We were so close, right in the mix, right to the very end. We almost put in more effort into this because you’re part of a team and you don’t want to let the team down.”

The 25-year-old Sweetland took it out fast for the Canadians opening a sizeable lead after completing the 250 m swim, six km bike and 1.6 km run course before tagging off to Matt Sharpe. The 23-year-old Sharpe was eventually caught byJonathan Brownlee but gave it all he could.

“Kirsten did such an incredible opening leg and I just went out of my mind and raced as hard as I could,” said Sharpe. “I pushed it as hard as I could on the run and collapsed at the finish. Everyone is excited. It was a great day for our Canadian team.”

Tagging to Sarah-Anne Brault for the third leg, the Canadians battled to the end with South Africa and Australia for the final two spots on the podium as England pulled away.

“I executed what I knew I could do,” said Brault. “There is a little less pressure in that third leg, but I just wanted to had it off to Andrew in a good spot to have a chance for a medal.”

Yorke, of Caledon, Ont., ran beside Australia’s Ryan Bailie until the final 200 m where the Australian put in an extra kick.

England took gold with a time of 1:13:24. South Africa surprised the field with a silver medal at 1:14:13, while Australia edged out the Canadians for the bronze in 1:14:14.

“I wanted to get a medal. I was tactical on the bike and felt I was in good position to have a chance for a medal,” added Yorke as rain began to pour down over the Glasgow course at the finish. “It was tough to get run away from at the end. The rest of the team did an awesome job giving me the chance to fight for a medal. I did all I could and hopefully next time we’ll be on the podium.”

The mixed relay, a new exciting race format which is seeking inclusion into the Olympic lineup.