Duffy dominates her way to a world title

Bermuda’s Flora Duffy floored it on the bike in hot and humid conditions in Cozumel, winning the race and securing her place in history as the 2016 ITU World Triathlon Series Champion. The world title is the first WTS crown Duffy has scored, as well as the first time Bermuda has topped the World Championship podium.

Coming into the race, Duffy was the top ranked woman in the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings, but only by 166 points. That meant she needed to either beat Olympic champion Gwen Jorgensen (USA) or come second to her, which was not going to be an easy feat considering Jorgensen had only lost two races in the last two years before starting on Saturday.

But a breakaway on the bike saw Duffy run into the sun with a large enough gap that Jorgensen and company couldn’t overcome it.

“I am speechless right now,” Duffy said. “I just have no idea how that happened. You always hope and wish and train for the perfect day and the perfect day came right when I needed it.”

Jorgensen ran in front of the rest of the field to finish both second on the day and second in the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings. Charlotte McSchane (AUS), who trains with Jorgensen, closed out the season with her first-ever WTS podium with bronze, while Japan’s Ai Ueda finished fifth to end the season third overall in the rankings. Her season third place is the highest any Japanese athlete has ever finished.

‘“Flora had a great race,” Jorgensen said. “She was better today than me and that was a great win for her, she basically led from start to finish.”

Crystal clear waters awaited the women, who were the first group of elites to race for a world championship title. The course offered up only one 1500 metre swim, and with the ocean current, the field essentially formed into one long string of swimmers. Seven women were able to get a slight lead with Great Britain’s Jessica Learmonth and Lucy Hall along with Duffy, Jorgensen, Sarah True (USA), Carolina Routier (ESP), Pamella Oliveira (BRA).

Coming out of the swim it was just a small workable lead of just five seconds that Duffy, Learmonth …

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