Tauranga's Anneke Jenkins clocked up more vital experience as she continues her introduction to the sport of triathlon, finishing in 5th place at the European Premium Cup race at Holten (Holland), this morning NZT.
Jenkins is on a fast learning curve as her first year in the sport continues at a strong pace, following up her first German Bundesliga club race last week with a first appearance at ITU Premium European Cup level.
The former top level breaststroker has only turned her attention to triathlon this year and is Europe to gain vital experience, both in training and racing, and is making pleasing progress in both aspects of her new chosen pursuit. Jenkins was steady throughout the sprint race to eventually finish just over two minutes behind winner Danne Boterenbrood (NED).
Far from resting on that performance however, Jenkins immediately set her sights on the next Bundesliga race on Sunday (Monday NZT) as she again looks to gain as much experience as she can racing in elite company. Unlike Holten where Jenkins was the lone Kiwi, she will have plenty of company in the next round of Bundesliga action with a number of young New Zealanders lining up as they too learn their trade alongside some of the best in the sport.
Closer to home, Sophie Corbidge raced in the North Harbour Cross Country Championships as part of her winter training regime and raced strongly for second place, behind Katie Wright and ahead of Annika Pfitzinger.
In other triathlon results this weekend, James Bowstead (Auckland) finished 6th at the 70.3 race in Buffalo Springs Lake (USA), while Tom Davison (Christchurch) finished 5th at the 5150 race in St Louis (USA), backing up after racing over the 70.3 distance last week.
Next week attention turns back to the ITU World Triathlon Series with the much anticipated race at Kitzbühel (Austria) over a short distance but including an 11km bike climb up the Alps.
