Laura Lindemann, Matthew Hauser win Chengdu
Laura Lindemann of Germany and Matthew Hauser of Australia won the two-day semi-final/final format World Cup which concluded with an unusual super-sprint finale on Sunday.
Women
Lindemann won the qualifying semi-final on Saturday and dominated the 400-meter swim, 10 kilometer bike and 2.5 kilometer run format finale. Lindemann finished the slam-bang, fast action final in 31:18 which gave her a 16 seconds margin of victory over Renee Tomlin of the U.S. and 17 seconds over 3rd place finisher Valerie Barthelemy of Belgium.
“I am really happy and had fun today,” Lindemann told ITU media. “I like the course, I like the race and I like to race short distances.”
Tomlin prevailed over Barthelemy in a sizzling sprint finish which buoyed the American’s spirits after an illness-plagued early season. “I am really happy to come back to Chengdu and to grab the second spot,” said Tomlin. “It’s exciting to put the pieces together.”
Barthelemy was also jazzed to return to top form in a return to racing after a major injury. ““Words can’t really describe,” the Belgian told ITU media. “I had a pretty major back accident and this is my first race back and best ever result. It means so much more than just a third place. It’s what I had to go through to get her to be able to race. I am really grateful.”
Men
After a densely packed swim and bike legs, Hauser, Kanute, Alexis Lepage of Canada and Felipe Barraza of Chile broke away at the start of the super short run.
Nearing the blue carpet, Hauser broke away for the win in 27:42 while Kanute outdueled Lepage for the silver in equal 27:55 times, while Barazza took 4th, three seconds later.
“It feels good to be back racing and doing what we do best is such a thrill,” Hauser told ITU media. “To be back after a year of non-ITU racing and to come away with the win, I couldn’t ask for any more. I am just over the moon.” Hauser won this event in 2017. “To come back two years later and do the same performance, I am ecstatic .“
“I am elated and relieved. I didn’t have my strongest race yesterday and I was lucky to get an automatic qualifying spot for the final,” said Kanute. “I just wanted to come back today and give it my all.”
“This is my best result in a World Cup ever, so I am really happy with that,” Lepage said.
Chengdu World Cup
Chengdu, China
May 12, 2019
S 400 meters / B 10k / R 2.5k
Finals Results
Women
1. Laura Lindemann (GER) 31:18 S 6:41 T1 00:47 B 15:11 T2 00:28 R 8:11
2. Renee Tomlin (USA) 31:34 S 6:43 T1 00:46 B 15:10 T2 00:28 R 8:27
3. Valerie Barthelemy (BEL) 31:35 S 6:40 T1 00:50 B 15:08 T2 00:28 R 8:29
4. Tamsyn Moana-Veale (AUS) 31:39 S 6:41 T1 00:52 B 15:05 T2 00:28 R 8:33
5. Zsofía Kovács (HUN) 31:46 S 6:53 T1 00:46 B 15:14 T2 00:29 R 8:24
Men
1. Matthew Hauser (AUS) 27:42 S 6:08 T1 00:45 B 13:13 T2 00:24 R 7:12
2. Ben Kanute (USA) 27:55 S 6:04 T1 00:44 B 13:18 T2 00:23 R 7:26
3. Alexis Lepage (CAN) 27:55 S 6:02 T1 00:46 B 13:18 T2 00:26 R 7:23
4. Felipe Barraza (CHL) 27:59 S 6:06 T1 00:44 B 13:15 T2 00:25 R 7:28
5. Seth Rider (USA) 28:06 S 6:05 T1 00:44 B 13:17 T2 00:25 R 7:35
13. Kevin McDowell (USA) 28:23 S 6:13 T1 00:44 B 13:42 T2 00:26 R 7:18
23 Jason West (USA) 28:46 S 6:33 T1 00:46 B 13:21 T2 00:25 R 7:41
