“All to play for” in ITU World Triathlon Grand Final after Vicky Holland strikes gold once again in Montreal
Vicky Holland will go into the ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final just 34 points adrift of leader Katie Zaferes after the University of Bath-based triathlete won her third gold medal of the season in Montreal, Canada.
The Rio 2016 Olympic bronze-medallist, who has already won in Leeds and Toronto this season, overcame a poor start to the penultimate race to finish 22 seconds clear of her US rival and boost her overall title chances going into next month’s decisive round on the Gold Coast in Australia.
Holland, coached by Rhys Davey at the Sports Training Village, was left behind on the pontoon when everyone else had dived in for the start of the 1,500m swim. She then went off course and found herself back down the field going into the 40km bike ride.
However, she managed to stay with Switzerland’s Nicola Spirig and fellow Brit Jodie Stimpson as they raced through the field and all three were back with the leading pack at the transition to the 10km run.
Holland had taken the lead by the 3km mark and continued to stretch her advantage as she brought home her third gold of an excellent year.
“I’ve won three races this year, that’s more than I could have asked for at the start of the season and I’m delighted with that,” said Holland, who missed the 2017 season through injury.
“It will be all to play for on the Gold Coast and that’s a really exciting prospect.”
