Junior Western Triathlon Championship
Sharpe and Ridenour get repeat wins.
At Pike Lake, Saskatchewan, Matt Sharpe (Victoria) and Christine Ridenour (Cowichan Bay) took their second win in a row in the Teck National Junior Series – they also won at Coteau-du-Lac on June 26th.
Sharpe, 19, led the 750 m swim (9:29), rode in the lead group of the 20 km bike (29:56), and managed to break free of the pack at the halfway point of the 5 km run (15:56) to take the win in 55:20. Marc-Antoine Christin (Vaudreuil, Quebec) finished second in 55:37, and Saskatoon’s Joel Howlett picked up third (55:46).
“In the past I have been known more as a strong swimmer and biker, but through hard training the run has come a long way,” said Sharpe to Triathlon Canada. “I really feel like I am developing into an all-round triathlete. I had a good burn in the legs on the bike and just felt like I had the complete package today. I got a second wind and needed little motivation to run fast and get away from those mosquitoes.”
Ridenour, 18, stayed near the front during the swim (10:24) and bike (32:36) then made her move during the run (17:28) where she created a 30 second lead and crossed the line in 1:00:27 for the victory. Saskatoon’s Gabrielle Edwards was second (1:00:44), and Victoria’s Alison Hooper finished third (1:00:55).
“That was a good solid performance and it gives me the confidence knowing that even though I may not be rested I can still have a good day,” said Ridenour. “I wanted to have a strong swim and just ride with the pack until the run, and I was able to do that.”
Top 10 Junior Women
1. Christine Ridenour (Cowichan Bay, B.C.)Â 1:00:27
2. Gabrielle Edwards (Saskatoon, SK) Â 1:00:44
3. Alison Hooper (Victoria, B.C.)Â 1:00:55
4. Joanna Brown (Carp, ON)Â 1:01:06
5. Ellen Pennock (Calgary, AB)Â 1:01:25
6. Maghalie Rochette (St. Jerome, QC)Â 1:02:17
7. Rachel Edwards (Saskatoon)Â 1:03:11
8. Amelie Kretz (Blainville, QC)Â 1:03:43
9. Karlyn Elford (Sherwood Park, AB)Â 1:04:44
10. Dominika Jamnicky (Port Hope, ON)Â 1:05:14
Top 10 Junior Men
1. Matt Sharpe (Victoria, B.C.)Â 55:20
2. Marc-Antoine Christin (Vaudreuil, QC)Â 55:37
3. Joel Howlett (Saskatoon, SK)Â 55:46
4. Cole Stewart (Langley, B.C.)Â 55:55
5. Brook Powell (Victoria, B.C.)Â 56:40
6. Ian Donald (Guelph, ON)Â 57:02
7. Connor Foreman (Victoria)Â 57:20
8. Derek Quick (St. George, ON)Â 57:28
9. Tristan Woodfine (Cobden, ON)Â 58:02
10. Riley Unger (Winnipeg, MB)Â 58:30
