Sport

Reid claims silver medal at World Triathlon Series Grand Final

Derry triathlete finishes strongly in London to cap great season

Race winner Non Stanford of Britain cheers home silver medal winner Aileen Reid from Ireland at the ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final at Hyde Park in London. Photograph: Luke MacGregor/Reuters
Race winner Non Stanford of Britain cheers home silver medal winner Aileen Reid from Ireland at the ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final at Hyde Park in London. Photograph: Luke MacGregor/Reuters
Sat Sept 14 2013 - 16:30

Ireland enjoyed its best finish at the World Triathlon Series Grand Final in London on Saturday as Aileen Reid claimed the silver medal.

The London Olympian got off to a good start as she powered through the opening of the 1500 metres swim and was in fifth position after the first lap.

Over the second 750 metres the pace was cranked up yet again by Australia's Emma Moffatt who began to split the field behind.

Moffatt emerged first from the water in a time of 18 minutes and 43 seconds with Reid in 10th after the first discipline.

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A slick bike mount got the Derry athlete up to speed quickly as she settled into the leading pack.

The greasy road conditions saw World title hopeful Gwen Jorgensen go down hard on a greasy Hyde Park corner. Bleeding and scared she battled on for a stage but was forced to withdraw before the end of the 40km leg.

By the time they reached the second transition there were 21 women in contention, with Reid heading out on the 10km run in 16th position.

By the end of lap one she was heading a group of six as they chased down Britain's Non Stanford and America's Sarah Groff.

Stanford was in superb running form and stretched her lead and despite having to serve a 15 second time penalty for a transition infringement she was never going to be caught and went on to take her second World Series win in a time of 2:01.32.

Behind her, though, Groff was fading fast and losing her grip on second place. Firstly Moffatt looked to be on course for silver before Jodie Stimpson took third place on the course.

Finally Reid timed her push to perfection and stretched the lead between herself and training mate Stimpson in the final 50 meters to claim silver in 2:01.57.

“I’m totally delighted with second place... it’s amazing,” said the 21-year-old.

“I was running with Jodie and Moffy and I just thought how am I staying here? I felt good and saw I got a wee bit of a gap on Jodie so I just pushed more and more to see if I could get a medal. I’ve been consistent all year but that result was just the icing on the cake.”

Reid moves up three places to finish eighth in the 2013 World Triathlon Series, her previous best being 17th in 2012.