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Kretz takes sixth at U23 Grand Final

Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden

Canada’s Amelie Kretz finished just out of the top five in sixth place at the U23 Women’s world championships at the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Sunday.

“It’s been a tough season, I’ve been injured all season, and just started my run training again,” said the Blainville, Que., youngster who completed the course in 2:07:57 – three minutes off the pace. “I had a good swim, and I pushed really hard on the bike because I knew my form on the run wasn’t there. I had no legs for the run.”

The 21-year-old trains out of Guelph, Ont, with teammates Joanna Brown and Dominika Jamnicky. Although she was gunning for the win, she  maintained a positive attitude.

“Sixth isn’t bad, but I was hoping for more. But after a tough year with injuries, I’m happy to be here and to finish,” she said, noting her injuries were “feeling good.”

Teammates and training partners Jamnicky and Brown hit the start line alongside Kretz, but only Jamnicky was able to finish the race – with Brown dropping out midway through the bike portion. For Jamnicky, a 16th-place finish (2:12:14) was not what she was looking for.

“I fought the whole time, but things just didn’t come together today,” said Australian-born Jamnicky, who moved to Canada in 2005 with her family and is close to finishing her Masters at Guelph University. “I’m going to give this [triathlon] a go. I really believe I have a future in the sport, and I’m still young, still building. I’m tough.”

Germany’s Sophia Saller won in 2:04:52, followed by Gillian Backhouse of Australia, who finished second in 2:05:25, and American Erin Jones in third with a time of 2:06:59.

With less than 24 hours before her next race – the mixed relay – Jamnicky was ready to quickly switch gears and refocus for Monday’s race. “I’ve only done one relay, at the Canada Summer Games, and I’m really looking forward to having a whole team to race with.”

 

Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit Jordan Bryden
Credit Jordan Bryden
Credit:  Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
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Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden

 

 

Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden

 

Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
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Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden

 

Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden
Credit: Jordan Bryden