Pennock and Lefebvre are the Canadian Junior Champions
Canadian Elite Championships go tomorrow.
Calgary’s Ellen Pennock and Laval’s Francis Lefebvre captured the Junior titles at the Canadian Championships today in Kelowna, British Columbia.
Victoria’s Hilary Wille exited the 750 metre swim in Okanagan Lake first (9:29), and after the 20 kilometre bike a group of nine separated themselves from the rest of the 32 women field. During the final 5-kilometre run, Pennock, a winner of four races on the National circuit, decimated the pack with the best run of the day (17:40) to take her first National Championship in 59:53. Carp, Ontario’s Joanna Brown used the second best run of 18:57 to claim second (1:01:09), and Cowichan Bay ‘s Christine Ridenour finished third (1:01:52). All three will represent Canada at the Junior Triathlon World Championships in Beijing, China on Saturday September 10.
“The bike course was really technical and I had to work hard to catch up,” said the 18-year-old Pennock, who finished third last year. “The race was really excellent with lots of energy from all the people. I am so happy to win.”
The Junior Men’s race was much more competitive and it all came down to a head to head battle between Lefebvre and fellow Quebec teammate Gabriel Legault of Boucherville. Virtually side to side out of T2, Lefebvre managed to run his 5 km (17:20) just 7 seconds faster than Legault for his first National title in 56:05, leaving Legault to settle for second (56:13), and Tristan Woodfine of Cobden, Ontario took third (56:36). Lefebvre and Woodfine are expected to represent Canada at the Junior Triathlon World Championships in Beijing, China on Sunday September 11.
“It was a very good race and my team helped me a lot,” said Lefebvre at the finish line to Triathlon Canada. “Working with my coach, our strategy was to stay together as a group on the bike, and to move strongly into the run with some spare time. My team worked really hard and it’s because of them that I won today. ”
The Elite National Championships continue on tomorrow in Kelowna.
