Neil Eddy (25-29) was Great Britain’s first gold medal winner of the day. Neil’s finish time of 1:56.15 makes him today’s second fastest overall male. Neil has been waiting for a while for his golden moment having just missed out on the medals in the last two ITU World Championships finishing fourth in both 2012 and 2013. 

 

British Triathlon Director for Age-Group Teams, Malcolm Westwood was delighted with Neil’s performance commenting: “Neil’s gold is extremely well deserved. He’s been consistently close to the podium for several years and when I saw him exiting the water in first place, I was hoping and believing he could maintain his current good form that has seen him finish fourth in the British Triathlon Super Series and fifth in last Wednesday’s elite ITU Aquathlon World Championships. It was wonderful to watch him maintain his lead and cross the line as a very worthy World Champion.”

 

Jane Leslie (65-69) was Great Britain’s second golden athlete, adding gold to the silver medal she won in Edmonton’s ITU Aquathlon World Championships last week. Jane now proudly holds both World and European titles after victory in Kitzbuhel earlier this year.

 

Daphne Belt (70-74) who finished sixth in Hyde Park last year was the final gold medal winner for the Great Britain Age-Group Team. 

 

Great Britain’s sole silver medallist was Penny Rother (55-59), who improved upon her bronze medal won in London last season with a second place finish in Canada.

 

Great Britain can also celebrate two bronze medallists in the 25-29 category. James Travers and Lucy Nell both finished third in the men and women’s races respectively.

 

This year is the first time that British athletes have been able to compete in both sprint and standard distance races at the same Championships, a scenario that proved fruitful for Paul Ryman who continued his successful Championships winning a bronze in the 30-34 age-group after winning a silver medal in the sprint distance event last Friday. 

 

European Champion in 2013, Maria Powell (45-49) also celebrated a bronze medal in Hawrelak Park. Maria finished in fourth place in Hyde Park and sixth at the 2014 European Championships in Kitzbuhel ensuring the taste of bronze was all the sweeter.

 

Great Britain’s final medallist from the Edmonton was three-time European Champion, Hilary Stevenson (70-74). The bronze medal will be a great boost for Hilary who just missed out on a medal in the ETU European Championships in Kitzbuhel finishing fourth.

 

Outside of the podium performances, bronze medallist from the elite ITU Aquathlon World Championships, Hannah Kitchen couldn’t quite make it two podium performances in Edmonton finishing fourth today, despite having the second fastest swim overall. However, Hannah will be delighted with her results in Canada, rounding off a great season that saw her finish seventh in the British Triathlon Super Series.

 

There are only so many places on the podium that can be won and for many competing at an ITU World Championships it isn’t all about winning a medal but completing their own personal triathlon challenge.

 

Paul Newsome (25-29) commented: “Edmonton is really cool, a really nice place to race. The course has a tough run with lots of off road trails, a bit of tarmac and a nice little finish on the blue carpet. Edmonton was a good event and a hard event – I need some rest now.”

 

A major Championship in a place like Edmonton also enables many of GB’s athletes to add a holiday onto their trip and explore some of Canada’s iconic landscapes, as David Moulder said: “This is my first time racing for GB and my first time in Canada too. I was really pleased with the swim. I think I was third out and I think I finished top twenty. I’ve really enjoyed our time in Canada so far, it’s been really good and now I’m planning to spend a week touring the Rockies.”

 

Finally, in between race preparations and the big day, athletes can often savour Britain’s elite taking on the world, as Paul Fitzpatrick (40-44) added: “Canada’s been really great, the organisation’s been superb and watching the elites in the sun was an unforgettable experience.”

 

The Great Britain Age-Group Team’s performance today concludes a superb Championships for the GB team with Great Britain sitting in third place in the medal table behind the USA and Australia with the U23/Junior Mixed Relay the one title left to be decided.

 

All results and medallists are provisional and subject to change.

 

GOLD  (3)

M25-29  Neil Eddy

F65-69  Jane Leslie

F75-79  Daphne Belt

 

SILVER (1)

F55-59  Penny Rother 

 

BRONZE (5)

M25-29  James Travers

F25-29  Lucy Nell

M30-34  Paul Ryman

F45-49  Maria Powell          

F70-74  Hilary Stevenson