New Zealand's Samantha Warriner won her first ITU Aquathlon World Championship as racing got under way on Gold Coast leading in to this weekend's Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championships Series Grand Final.
The Kiwi posted the fastest first run split over 2.5km, however then swam too far as she missed the turnaround buoy during the 1000m, adding a further 100m to her efforts. Her mistake allowed Australian veteran Maxine Seear into the lead, however the Aussie was helpless to hold off the charging Warriner over the second 2.5km run, as the New Zealander ran her way to victory. Seear was strong enough to hold on to second with Lisa Mensink from the Netherlands in third.
Warriner's ITU Aquathlon World Championship victory was a welcome return to action for the 2008 World Series winner following an injury-stricken year which included being stung by a stingray and a nasty bike crash.
"Lisa [Mensink] and I went to the wrong buoy during the swim, but that's racing. Then once I got out it was all about having one last hard key session before the weekend's triathlon world championships on Sunday," said Warriner. "It's all about having fun now and seeing how I go, for me it's all about 2010 following my injuries. I'm committed to the Olympics so this is about saying thank you to Triathlon New Zealand for supporting me through this tough year."
The men's race saw victory for Antonio Mansur, a gold medal to add to his two previous silver medals from 2008 and 2007. The Brazilian admitted that the 2009 ITU Aquathlon World Championships would be his last race in international race kit.
"Two silver medals and now a gold in my last competition. I'm too old now, I've gone to forty and I feel it's ok for me to retire, the young ones can have a go now," he said.
Mansur ran strongly over the opening 2.5km to place second before dropping back in the swim. On exiting the water he chased down his rivals, surging clear with 500m to go on the second to cross the line ahead of compatriot Wesley Matos and Adam Carlton from Australia.
Alexandre Dallenbach from Switzerland and Australia's Ellie Salthouse were crowned junior world champions with Andrea Secchiero from Italy the under 23 men's champion.
2009 Gold Coast Aquathlon World Championships
Elite Women
2.5km run - 1.0km swim - 2.5km run
| 1. | Samantha Warriner | NZL | 33:11 |
| 2. | Maxine Seear | AUS | 33:23 |
| 3. | Lisa Mensink | NED | 33:39 |
Elite Men
2.5km run - 1.0km swim - 2.5km run
| 1. | Antonio Mansur | BRA | 29:12 |
| 2. | Wesley Matos | BRA | 29:29 |
| 3. | Adam Carlton | AUS | 30:36 |
Coming Up
Friday, September 11
Under23 Women - 10:00am local (GMT+10)
Under23 Men - 12:30pm local
Saturday, September 12
Paratriathlon - 06:45 am
Age Group Olympic - 07:00am
ELITE MEN - 15:15 local time
Sunday, September 13
Age Group Sprint - 06:45am
Junior Women - 11:45
Junior Men - 13:15
ELITE WOMEN - 14:45 local time
