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Brault and Kretz prove they’re in fine form heading into Rio with podium finishes in Sweden

Training partners and Rio-bound Team Canada triathletes Sarah-Anne Brault and Amelie Kretz proved they’re ready to take on the best in the world at the Olympics on August 20th with podium finishes at yesterday’s Malmo ETU Sprint Triathlon European Cup in Sweden.

The Canadians battled rough conditions — including a choppy swim — to each finish sub-one hour in the sprint distance event. Kretz crossed the finish line just seconds behind winner Agnieszka Jerzyk to take second while Brault followed to take third. They both held onto the front pack from the start and delivered super fast run splits to earn podium finishes.

“It was a pretty challenging race. The conditions were rough with a really choppy swim, a windy and technical bike as well as a windy run,” said Kretz. “It was a great test to see were I am at leading into Rio and great to go through those race processes one more time before the big one in Rio!”

“I had a lot of fun out there today,” Brault added. “The conditions made for a rough day. That was the choppiest water I have ever swam in. The bike was technical with cobblestones, lots of corners and a bit of rain. I got outsprinted by both girls in the end, but I was happy with the execution today. It was a great hit out there before Rio.”

Kretz and Brault are two of the five first-time Olympians that make up the Canadian Rio-bound triathlon squad. They are members of the Wollongong Wizards ITU training squad and will be making the trip to Rio from Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain in less than two weeks.