Following on from the disappointment of the elite men's race for the New Zealanders at the ITU World Triathlon Championship in Edmonton, Sophie Corbidge gave herself every chance of an elusive podium finish in the Women's U23 race today but faded on the second half of the run to come home in 9th place.
Corbidge and Maddie Dillon came out of the swim side by side, 16 seconds down on the leaders and with a quick transition and start to the ride, Corbidge found herself in the lead group of seven on the bike, while Dillon was in the chase pack.
Corbidge rode strongly in the lead group throughout as they extended their lead over those behind, eventually taking a 1 minute and 9 second lead into T2 and the 10km run leg. Amongst those in the super seven were eventual winner Sophia Saller (GER) and silver medalist Gillian Backhouse (AUS).
Once on the run, Corbidge hung tough and stayed in medal contention to the halfway point, but then faded in the final 4 kilometres and was passed by two athletes in the final few hundred metres to finish 9th.
Dillon finished in 14th position and Deb Lynch was well off the pace in 22nd.
It proved to be a disappointing day for the New Zealanders after the high of yesterday's two medals as High Performance Director Graeme Maw summed up the past few days.
"We have seen in this sport that the difference is one of very fine margins. We are delighted with some of the performances we have had, especially the medals but also the promise shown by our athletes in winning three gold medals in the Aquathlon. Sophie was strong through to the 5km mark today after an interrupted year that has limited her ability to run a full 10km.
"There have also been disappointments however and what we are is clearly still a work in progress, and recent days has illustrated the depth and strength of the competition in the sport. We have shown we are capable of winning medals but need to do so more consistently across the board."
New Zealand will end its participation in the elite racing with two teams in the U23 and U19 Mixed Team Relay competition tomorrow. Countries are allowed to enter U19 athletes in what is essentially an U23 World Championship Mixed Team Relay event. New Zealand will draw upon its U23 and Junior athletes for the two teams.
Results: ITU World Triathlon Championships, Edmonton
Elite U23 Women
1. Sophia Saller (GER) 2:04:52
2. Gillian Backhouse (AUS) 2:05:25
3. Erin Jones (USA) 2:06:59
Plus NZers
9. Sophie Corbidge 2:08:30
14. Maddie Dillon 2:11:23
22. Deb Lynch 2:22:19
