Posted: March 4, 2006

Triathlon: Aussies Luxford and Kahlefedt Win in Doha

Doha ITU Triathlon top three women - Photo: spomedis/ITU Media

Luxford takes 2006 World Cup opener (March 3, 2006 )

Annabel Luxford (AUS) has won the first ITU World Cup of the 2006 season in a time of 1:59:36 with Joelle Franzmann (GER) taking her first ever silver at a World Cup finishing 12 seconds behind. Laura Bennett (USA) led most of the race taking two of the three primes but faded slightly on the run taking the final podium spot 29 seconds behind Luxford.

“I feel in good form coming off a third place finish two weeks ago in Hobart. I’m really happy to have won,” said Luxford on her race. “I was quite nervous at the start because it was the first race of the season. It was very hot and dry. I’m from Australia so I’m pretty used to the heat.”

“It was fabulous to finish second in the first race of the season. It was the first time I got a silver medal so I’m very glad with the result,” stated Franzmann after kissing the finish line. “But I am confident of going one better and winning in Jordan.”

Jessica Harrison who now races for France took fourth spot with teammate Carole Peon right on her heels taking fifth. China has their best-ever World Cup finish with Lin Xing finishing in sixth position

The heat of the day quickly took its toll as a number of women pulled out including top contender Maxine Seear from Australia who crashed during the bike leg fracturing her bike and was unable to continue.

2006 ITU Doha World Cup – Elite Women
1. LUXFORD, Annabel (AUS) 1:59:36
2. FRANZMANN, Joelle (GER) 1:59:48
3. BENNETT, Laura (USA) 2:01:05
4. HARRISON, Jessica (FRA) 2:01:39
5. PEON, Carole (FRA) 2:02:37

Doha ITU Triathlon men's winner - Photo: spomedis/ITU Media

Kahlefeldt Wins in Doha

Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) flew through the 10km run to finish in a time of 1:51:18 and claim top prize making it a double victory for Australia at the ITU Doha World Cup in Qatar. Only nine seconds separated the top three athletes as Mark Fretta of the USA and Volodymyr Polikarpenko of the Ukraine were hot on Kahlefeldt’s heels coming into the finish straight and finished second and third respectively. Fretta made his move with only 50 metres to go and Polikarpenko was unable to match his kick.

“This is my biggest win by far, to win the first World Cup race of the season is absolutely fantastic” said Kahlefeldt. “The conditions made it a really tough race today, but I like a hot race so it was good.”

The Australians had two men in the top five as David Dellows managed to match his previous best World Cup performance by finishing fourth with Tony Moulai of France rounding out the top five. Dellows and Moulai came off the bike together over a minute ahead of the winners and led for almost 9 km of the10 km run but were eventually reeled in by a fast flying Kahlefeldt, Fretta and Polikarpenko.

Many athletes began to ache in the midday sun that brought temperatures upwards of 36 degrees celcius and gusty winds through out the race but were carried on by the excited crowds who lined the course.

2006 ITU Doha World Cup – Elite Men
1. KAHLEFELDT, Brad (AUS) 1:51:18
2. FRETTA, Mark (USA) 1:51:23
3. POLIKARPENKO, Volodymyr (UKR) 1:51:27
4. DELLOW, David (AUS) 1:51:52
5. MOULAI, Tony (FRA) 1:52:01

Complete results and photos at: Triathlon.org.

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