Stimpson finishes fifth as Norden wins world title
20th October 2012Jodie Stimpson recorded her best ever finish in an ITU World Triathlon Series race with fifth in the Grand Final in Auckland, New Zealand. Olympic silver medallist, Lisa Norden of Sweden, finished just one place ahead and secured enough points to win the world title despite having visited hospital overnight before the race.
Stimpson has enjoyed an excellent second half of the season, and came to New Zealand with high hopes of a good result.
She said: “I hammered the first bit of the bike and managed to get in (to the lead pack) and played it sensibly, and then got on the run and was amazed slow it was until the last lap. The last lap started to pick it up and it was all about who’s got the run legs left.
“I’m ecstatic, really chuffed and excited next for season.”
Germany’s Ann Haug won the race by 12 seconds from fast-finishing Gwen Jorgensen (USA). Barbara Riveros Diaz of Chile was third, but it was Lisa Norden in 4th who secured the world title having had a consistently good season.
Norden revealed afterwards that she went to hospital overnight to be treated for food poisoning. Ann Haug finished second in the Series and New Zealand’s Andrea Hewitt was third.
The GE Great Britain Team enjoyed success in the U23 events. Non Stanford was crowned world champion and Tom Bishop finished third. Full reports on these events area available on www.britishtriathlon.org.
Elite women’s results:
1. Anne Haug GER 2:10:48
2. Gwen Jorgensen USA 2:11:00
3. Barbara Riveros Diaz CHI 2:11:01
4. Lisa Norden SWE 2:11:03
5. Jodie Stimpson GBR 2:11:03
ITU World Triathlon Series Rankings
1. Lisa Norden SWE 4531 – ITU World Champion
2. Anne Haug GER 4340
3. Andrea Hewitt NZL 3893
4. Barbara Riveros Diaz CHI 3707
5. Erin Densham AUS 3611
6. Nicola Spirig SUI 3264