Triathlon Canada —Andrew Yorke places 23rd, Amelie Kretz 35th while Paula Findlay was 38th—

HAMBURG, Ger.—Canada’s Tyler Mislawchuk delivered a career-best seventh-place finish on the World Triathlon Series in his final tune-up race before the 2016 Olympic Summer Games on Saturday in Hamburg, Germany.

The 21-year-old triathlete from Oak Bluff, Man. was solid in all three disciplines through the steady rain that poured down on one of the most prestigious triathlon events in the world, clocking a time of 52:51 in the 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike and 5-kilometre run course.

“I’m quite excited with this result. I came to Hamburg to see how the legs would react with a big training block in them geared towards Rio and it was a good day,” said Mislawchuk, who recently earned a spot to represent Canada at his first Olympic Games.

The future leader of the Canadian triathlon program, Mislawchuk jumped onto the bike in fourth place before the pack eventually grew to 30 prior to the completion of the 20-kilometre ride where he set himself up for a run for the podium.

“I always want more. It’s hard to see the podium run away (from me) with less then 1500m to go,” added Mislawchuk. “I will keep my head down, and continue to work towards the main focus of the season – Rio!”

Spain’s Mario Mola will head into the Olympic Games on a high note, winning the Hamburg race with a time of 52:19. Mola pulled away from the field, leaving his countryman, Fernando Alarza and Australia’s Jacob Birtwhistle battling it out for the silver. Following a photo finish with both athletes clocked at 52:36, it was Birtwhistle claiming the silver and Alarza forced to settle for the bronze medal.

Andrew Yorke, of Caledon, Ont., who will join Mislawchuk in Rio, was 23rd on Saturday with a time of 53:30.

Mislawchuk has been a model of progression all year, regularly posting career-best finishes while steadily working his way up the elite standings closer to his first WTS podium. The seventh place finish adds to two 10ths, an 11th and 14th-place finish in his six starts on top triathlon series in the world. He also had a 10th-place finish last year at the World Triathlon Series stop in London.

Two Canadians also suited up for the women’s race. Canada’s Rio-bound Amelie Kretz was the top Canuck in 35th spot. Kretz, of Blainville, Que., posted a time of 58:57. Edmonton’s Paula Findlay placed 38th at 59:09.

Katie Zaferes, of the United States, was first to the finishing tape in the women’s race with a time of 57:03. Rachel Klamer, of the Netherlands, celebrated the silver medal at 57:14, while world number one, American Gwen Jorgensen, was bumped to an unfamiliar spot at the bottom of the podium in third with a time of 57:29.

The Triathlon Mixed Relay World Championships will take place in Hamburg, Germany on Sunday. The spectator-friendly relay event consists of teams of two men and two women who all complete a 300 metre swim, 6.6-kilometre bike and 1.6-kilometre run.

Triathlon Canada is the governing body for triathlon in the country. Recognized as an Olympic medal sport since 2000 and Paralympic medal sport as of 2016, Triathlon Canada’s mandate is to promote, foster, organize and develop the sport of triathlon, and its related disciplines, in Canada. For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit us at www.triathloncanada.com on the Internet.

Complete Results (750 metre swim, 20 kilometre bike, 5 kilometre run): www.triathlon.org

Top-Five Men’s Results:

1. Mario Mola, ESP, 52:19; 2. Jacob Birtwhistle, AUS, 52:36; 3. Fernando Alarza, ESP, 52:36; 4. Joao Pereira, POR, 52:42; 5. Ryan Bailie, AUS, 52:45

Canadian Results:

7. Tyler Mislawchuk, Oak Bluff, Man., 52:51; 23. Andrew Yorke, Caledon, Ont., 53:30

Top-Five Women’s Results:

1. Katie Zaferes, USA, 57:03; 2. Rachel Klamer, NED, 57:14; 3. Gwen Jorgensen, USA, 57:29; 4. Jodie Stimpson, USA, 57:29; 5. Anastasia Abrosimova, RUS, 57:58

Canadian Results:

35. Amelie Kretz, Blainville, Que., 58:57; 38. Paula Findlay, Edmonton, 59:09.

 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chris Dornan

Media and Public Relations

Triathlon Canada

T: 403-620-8731