Corus Great Britain team finish third on ETU European Triathlon Championships medal table

12 May 2008

Following a successful day of competition in Lisbon at the weekend, Corus Great Britain team finished third on the European Championships medal table behind France and the hosts, Portugal.

Kristy McWilliam

Britain’s medals came in the form of Kirsty McWilliam from Glasgow who finished runner-up in the Junior Women’s competition and Corus Ambassador Jonathan Brownlee who was third in the Junior Men’s race.

18 year old Kirsty McWilliam (pictured) battled her way to second place despite falling over twice on the run in slippery conditions. After exiting the swim at the head of the pack, McWilliam was instrumental in driving the pace of the chasing pack during the bike leg. The Scot was denied the gold medal by 10 seconds behind her French counterpart Emmie Charayron.

<a href=/en/elite/ambassadors/jonathan/>Jonathan Brownlee</a>

Corus Ambassador Jonathan Brownlee (pictured) took third position in the Junior Men’s race. After exiting in the front pack, Brownlee made the lead bunch on the bike. After clocking the second fastest run and passing 10 athletes, Brownlee finished third just 18 seconds behind the winner Vincent Luis of France.

In the men’s race Corus Ambassador Will Clarke finished a disappointing 11th despite all three Corus British Triathlon team members Will Clarke, Alistair Brownlee and Richard Stannard being involved at the front of the race. Corus British Triathletes were hindered by other athletes allowing team mates to escape in the break away pack . The French team tactics enabled Fred Belaubre and Tony Moulai to take gold and silver after opening up a two minute advantage after the bike stage. Clarkes young compatriot and older brother of Jonathan, Alistair Brownlee, competing in his first senior race was a promising 15th whist Richard Stannard suffered a puncture which dropped him down the results.

Portugal’s Vanessa Fernandes won her fifth consecutive European Triathlon Championships with a dominating display on home turf in Lisbon. A lead group of 20 came together in the 1500m swim and carved out a lead on the bike. Despite frequent attempts to initiate a breakaway, Glasgows Corus British triathlete Kerry Lang was unable to drive herself off the front and establish a lead as Fernandes took control and set the pace finally finishing in 17th. The cobbled roads proved tricky to navigate with a number of casualties including Britain’s Vanessa Raw and Abbie Thorrington who did not finish.