Great Britain’s Non Stanford claims history-making ITU Elite Women’s World Championship

Great Britain’s Non Stanford claimed the 2013 Elite Women’s ITU World Championship after a dramatic Grand Final race in London on Saturday.

“Being the World Champion, it’s crazy, it hasn’t really sunk in yet. I’m just trying to take it my stride, but when I get five minutes to reflect on it I will probably get quite emotional. I just can’t believe it to be honest, I can’t quite put it into words. All the hard work over the last year, I’ve just managed to hold it together and it’s paid off.”

Stanford finished in two hours, one minute and 32 seconds to win her second series race of the season, finishing 25 seconds ahead of Ireland’s Aileen Reid (IRL) in an impressive second place and a further three seconds ahead of Australia’s Emma Moffatt in third.

Stanford’s Grand Final win ensured she also secured the overall ITU World Championship final in a race full of surprises, which saw two other pre-race favourites struggle. Stanford’s win created some unique history, as the first woman to win an Elite ITU World Championship in the year directly after winning an Under23 World Championship. Great Britain’s Alistair Brownlee is the only other athlete in ITU history to do so, he completed the double in 2008 and 2009. With the win, Stanford became the eighth athlete in 24 years of ITU World Championship races to clinch a world title at home.

Rankings leader Gwen Jorgensen (USA) was forced to retire after a crash on the bike and Germany’s Anne Haug had a poor swim that pushed her right out of race day podium contention. Haug eventually finished down in 34th place in 02:06:28, but can console herself that despite an uncharacteristically bad day, she held on to a world championship podium finish with bronze. It was double heartache for Jorgensen, however, whose performance in London paved the way for Jodie Stimpson (GBR) to snatch a place on the overall series podium. Stimpson finished fourth on the day in 02:02:06, which helped her to silver medal in the overall standings.

The day had started well for Jorgensen. With only thirteen points separating the top three women after the seven races before London, Jorgensen knew her slight advantage would be enough to hold off Haug and Stanford if she managed to win in London. And it was Jorgensen who set down the marker during the 1.5km swim in the Serpentine. Continuing on from her strong swim in Stockholm, Jorgensen was within ten seconds of the lead after the first lap and exited the water in 11th place, just 15 seconds behind Moffatt who was first out of the water in 18:43 just ahead of Sarah Groff (USA).

Things got even better for Jorgensen when news filtered through that Stanford had been given a 15-second penalty after not correctly placing her wetsuit in her box after the swim.
The swim was also significant for Haug. While not uncommon for Haug to exit the water towards the back of the pack, she struggled more than usual in the water. She was two minutes behind the leaders when she got on the bike and her usual comeback ability this time failed to materialise.

It was looking like Jorgensen could begin to think about victory but there was more drama on the bike, as Jorgensen fell in slippery conditions, costing her vital time. More trouble was to follow as a bruised Jorgensen soon retired from the race to end her chances of winning her first world championship.

Suddenly Stanford was back in pole position as part of a large lead group on the bike, but with a penalty to take, it gave new hope to Jodie Stimpson who had started the day fourth in the rankings. At the start of the race, Stimpson had only a slim chance of becoming world champion but after an action-packed first half of the race, Stimpson knew she could win the world championship if she won the race and Stanford finished third or lower.

Stanford and Stimpson were part of the 23-strong lead group as the bike entered the final lap. The group also included Reid, Moffatt, Groff and 2011 World Championship Series silver medallist Andrea Hewitt (NZL).

Rachel Klamer (NED) was first to start the run, leaving transition in 1:28:19 but Stanford soon raced ahead and created a big early lead. The Briton’s tactic was to build a strong enough lead before taking her 15-second penalty in the hope she would resume the race still in front. She did exactly that, Stanford took her penalty just before the final lap and did indeed restart the race in first place ahead of Groff. A determined Stanford clearly wanted to win in style and increased her lead after her penalty before crossing the line to huge cheers from the home crowd.

Behind the frantic battle for race podium places ensued as at times, Stimpson, Moffatt and Groff were in second place. But with a final finishing chute burst, it was Reid who pulled out the killer kick to claim a silver medal, to equal her best series result. Moffatt held on for third – a year after she crashed out in the London 2012 Olympic Games triathlon race – while Stimpson crossed the line in fourth, enough to claim the overall series silver.

For the full review please click here.

2013 PruHealth World Triathlon Grand Final London – 14 September
Final Results – Elite Women – 1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run

1.    Non Stanford     GBR    02:01:32
2.    Aileen Reid     IRL    02:01:57
3.    Emma Moffatt     AUS    02:02:00
4.    Jodie Stimpson     GBR    02:02:06
5.    Alice Betto     ITA    02:02:09
6.    Emma Jackson     AUS    02:02:11
7.    Sarah Groff     USA    02:02:16
8.    Andrea Hewitt     NZL    02:02:56
9.    Ashleigh Gentle     AUS    02:03:06
10.    Ainhoa Murua     ESP    02:03:26

Full results