Aileen Morrison finished 14th in the Womens Elite race at the European Championships in Pontevedra, Spain. The hot conditions proved extremely testing for all athletes in the field, with France’s Emmie Charayon taking victory in fine form, blitzing her opposition by nearly ninety seconds.
Morrison swam well, and was part of a five woman lead cycle pack, along with Brits Holly Avil and Jodie Stimpson, that was caught by the chase group – meaning a large pack of athletes hit T2 together.
Aileen Morrison has finished 14th in the Womens Elite race at the European Championships in Pontevedra, Spain. The hot conditions proved extremely testing for all athletes in the field, with France’s Emmie Charayon taking victory in fine form, blitzing her opposition by nearly ninety seconds.
Morrison swam well, and was part of a five woman lead cycle pack, along with Brits Holly Avil and Jodie Stimpson, that was caught by the chase group – meaning a large pack of athletes hit T2 together.
The run splits tell the tale of a very tough run. Morrison held on for an admirable finish. Tweeting post race, Morrison spoke of the heat. A little disappointed, she summed it up in just two words: I tried”.
| Pos | First Name | Last Name | Country | Time | Swim | T1 | Bike | T2 | Run | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emmie | Charayron | FRA |  |
02:04:00 | 00:21:00 | 00:01:23 | 01:05:04 | 00:00:52 | 00:35:42 |
| 2 | Vendula | Frintova | CZE |  |
02:05:27 | 00:20:55 | 00:01:25 | 01:05:07 | 00:00:52 | 00:37:09 |
| 3 | Annamaria | Mazzetti | ITA |  |
02:05:28 | 00:20:57 | 00:01:23 | 01:05:09 | 00:00:53 | 00:37:08 |
| 4 | Ainhoa | Murua | ESP |  |
02:05:40 | 00:20:54 | 00:01:28 | 01:05:07 | 00:00:56 | 00:37:16 |
| 5 | Yuliya | Yelistratova | UKR |  |
02:06:10 | 00:21:09 | 00:01:23 | 01:04:56 | 00:00:56 | 00:37:48 |
| 6 | Marina | Damlaimcourt | ESP | |
02:06:21 | 00:20:59 | 00:01:29 | 01:05:04 | 00:00:57 | 00:37:51 |
| 7 | Zsofia | Kovacs | HUN |  |
02:06:22 | 00:21:09 | 00:01:21 | 01:05:03 | 00:00:54 | 00:37:55 |
| 8 | Sarah | Fladung | GER |  |
02:06:27 | 00:21:14 | 00:01:22 | 01:04:56 | 00:00:54 | 00:38:02 |
| 9 | Helle | Frederiksen | DEN |  |
02:06:29 | 00:20:53 | 00:01:27 | 01:05:11 | 00:00:54 | 00:38:07 |
| 10 | Jodie | Stimpson | GBR |  |
02:06:41 | 00:20:13 | 00:01:23 | 01:05:50 | 00:00:57 | 00:38:16 |
| 11 | Irina | Abysova | RUS |  |
02:06:50 | 00:20:42 | 00:01:31 | 01:05:20 | 00:01:00 | 00:38:17 |
| 12 | Hollie | Avil | GBR | |
02:07:05 | 00:21:13 | 00:01:26 | 01:04:52 | 00:00:56 | 00:38:39 |
| 13 | Katrien | Verstuyft | BEL |  |
02:07:14 | 00:21:04 | 00:01:25 | 01:05:02 | 00:00:54 | 00:38:51 |
| 14 | Aileen | Morrison | IRL |  |
02:07:27 | 00:20:16 | 00:01:26 | 01:05:46 | 00:00:57 | 00:39:04 |
| 15 | Paulina | Kotfica | POL |  |
02:07:34 | 00:21:13 | 00:01:23 | 01:04:59 | 00:00:56 | 00:39:04 |
In the Mens race, Triathlon Ireland were represented by Bryan Keane and Conor Murphy. Keane, who is still recovering following his injury setback late last year found the swim pretty tough, and was chasing all day on the bike, before unfortunately withdrawing from the race prior to T2. The trying conditions saw an unusually high number of DNFs.
Conor Murphy, in his first big international race, stepped up to the mark – finishing in 38th place, ahead of hometown favourite Javier Gomez. The result is encouraging for Murphy, who was all smiles as he crossed the finish line. Murphy even led the race for a few moments during the bike leg. The race was won in blistering form by Alastair Brownlee, who despite puncturing, took the line honours just ahead of his younger brother Jonathon.
Pre event article:
Elite Irish triathletes will look to make a big impression in the European Championships in Pontevedra, Spain this weekend. With the elite women hopping into the warm water of the Lérez river at 12:30pm and the males getting under way at 7pm local time on Saturday (25th).
Derry native Aileen Morrison will be hoping to better the 5th place finish she achieved in this event last year, which took place in Athlone. Olympic Scholarship athlete Morrison ( pictured with Stephen Martin OCI Chief Executive) is currently the top ranked Irish triathlete and is well on course for Olympic qualification. She will enter this race seeded 5th which will provide an advantageous start position amongst the favourites.
Morrison said “The European Championships are an event I aim to do well in every year. Last year on home turf I just missed out on the podium, but I feel I am in better shape this time around. It will be very tough in Spain on Saturday but I’m hopeful I can improve on last year’s placing.”
Two Irish athletes are competing in the elite men’s field with Bryan Keane looking to make a comeback to top level action after he suffered a major setback in his hopes for Olympic qualification when he was hit by a car while out training, resulting in a shattered knee cap and 10 weeks in a leg brace. The forced lay off from running has allowed him to focus on bringing his swimming to a higher standard, which could result in him making the all important front pack for the bike leg.
The newest entrant into elite ranks, Conor Murphy, will have a good opportunity to test himself against the best Europe has to offer. Murphy has had a good run of Top 10 results in the British Triathlon Super Series, which will serve as the perfect preparation for this Saturday.
Along with the senior elite athletes, three talented juniors Russell White, Chris Mintern and Gavin Doran will be travelling to Portevedra. White has mixed it with the seniors previously, including competing against 2006 world champion Tim Don in the British Triathlon Super Series recently, placing 12th overall and 4th in the British Junior Championships. This result was a particularly impressive comeback following a stress fracture in the left shin had meant White was out of action for a number of weeks.
Meanwhile Mintern has been racing closer to home posting a 4:08 1500 meter time, and securing 2nd in the Aviva All-Ireland Schools’ Track and Field 2011 Championships. If he is in contention after the swim and bike he will be hoping to use his strong running ability to post a good result. The final member of the junior squad, Gavin Doran, placed 2nd in the Junior National Championships in May and had a comfortable win the Triburgh Sprint Triathlon, leading from start to finish.
Some 50 Age Group Athletes will also be representing Ireland and looking to bring back a hall of medals to rival that achieved in last year’s European Championships.
For more information contact:
Scott Graham – [email protected]
+353 1 276 4934