At today’s 30th running of California’s Wildflower Triathlon, Americans Jesse Thomas and Heather Jackson took home victories.

Thomas surprised all with a come from behind win on the run last year, and he used a blistering 1:14:38 half marathon to defend his title with a final time of 3:58:59. Fellow American Jordan Rapp could not keep pace with Thomas on the run and had to settle for second (4:00:22). South Africa’s James Cunnama claimed third spot (4:02:01). Kelowna’s Trevor Wurtele was 16th after the swim but battled his way through the field to finish seventh (4:07:44).  Victoria’s Stephen Kilshaw finished ninth (4:11:08).

Pro Men

1. Thomas, Jesse 03:58:59

2. Rapp, Jordan 04:00:22

3. Cunnama, James 04:02:01

4. Matthews, Paul 04:03:20

5. Legh, Christopher 04:04:56

6. Fettell, Clayton 04:07:35

7. Wurtele, Trevor Kelowna, BC 04:07:44

8. Mclarty, Dustin 04:09:46

9. Kilshaw, Stephen Victoria, BC 04:11:08

10 Thompson, Nicholas 04:11:41

Jackson achieved her first major race victory thanks to her top run of 1:21:08. This allowed her to easily take the win in 4:26:29, Linsey Corbin (USA) held onto second (4:32:09) after clocking the top bike ride of 2:33:44, and Canada’s Magali Tisseyre chased hard after Corbin but ran out of real estate to finish third (4:34:30). Fellow Canuck Melanie McQuaid took eighth (4:41:15).

Pro Women

1. Jackson, Heather 04:26:29

2. Corbin, Linsey 04:32:09

3. Tisseyre, Magali Montreal. QC 04:34:30

4. Cave, Leanda 04:36:24

5. Wernick, Charisa 04:38:42

6. Challis, Rachel 04:39:25

7. Keat, Rebekah 04:39:55

8. McQuaid, Melanie Victoria, BC 04:41:15

9. Tetrick, Jennifer 04:44:31

10 Grant, Julia 04:44:43