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Joanna Brown captures a bronze medal at WTS Bermuda

Brown becomes just the third Canadian to win a WTS medal

On April 27th, Joanna Brown stormed to her first podium ever on the World Triathlon Series (WTS) in Hamilton, Bermuda. Brown’s result makes her the third Canadian to win a WTS medal, and the first since Kirsten Sweetland won a bronze in 2014 in Hamburg, Germany. Paula Findlay won five World Triathlon Series races between 2010-2011.

Taking on 47 of the top female triathletes in the world, Brown put together a monster run and bike to battle back and earn a place on the podium. After the 1.5K swim, the lone Canuck climbed out of the Atlantic Ocean well back of the leaders in 27th place. Battling against heavy rain and winds, Brown pulled a chase pack around the 40K bike course back into contention. “I came out of the water, and I saw I had some work to do. I was determined today, and I got it done,” says Brown.

“On the run, it took me a little bit to get going, but I knew this was a tough course and you have to keep going after it,” said Brown. “I was slowly picking my way closer to the leaders and was just so happy to finally cross the finish line knowing I was on the podium.” American Katie Zaferes won the race with a time of 1:59:52. Jessica Learmonth, of Great Britain, was second at 2:01.33

Brown has two fourth-place finishes on the World Triathlon Series – both coming at the Montreal stop – in each of the last two seasons. WTS Bermuda was the first podium finish of her career on the WTS.  “This is something I’ve been working towards for a long time,” says Brown. “It is good to have that validation of the work that I’ve been doing and also what I’m capable of. So many people have been a part of this journey. I am just so happy for everyone.”

Earlier in the day, Tyler Mislawchuk, the lone Canadian, pulled out of the men’s elite race halfway the 40K bike course.

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Bermuda was my comeback to WTS @worldtriathlon racing and what a race! So happy to be on the podium ?and had a generally good race. Congrats @dorian_coninx and @gustav_iden and thanks everyone out there for the support. Already in London now, started my trip right after the race, in order to be in Pontevedra as soon as possible… @itupontevedra19 LD next Saturday./ Bermudas era mi vuelta a las World Series y vaya carrera! Muy contento con mi segundo puesto y por haber hecho, en líneas generales, una buena carrera. Felicidades a Dorian y Gustav y gracias, una vez más, a todos por el apoyo. Estoy ya en Londres, de camino a Pontevedra, para llegar lo antes posible y centrarme en el Mundial de Larga Distancia que afrontaré el próximo sábado. ? 1: ITU media 2,3 @benitodetorres

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Dorian Coninx (FRA) won the men’s race with a time of 1:50:36. Spain’s Javier Gomez edged out Norway’s Gustav Iden in a photo finish for second place. Gomez will now travel home to Pontevedra, Spain, to compete in the ITU World Long Distance Championships on May 4th.