Beaugrand Storms To Victory

Cassandre Beaugrand produced a stunning performance to take the win in a weather affected RBC Super League Triathlon Jersey 2019.

With the bike leg having been scrapped and conditions too poor to even allow for four continuous rounds of swim-run, the women’s field tackled three back-to-back bouts of swim-run.

It was Beaugrand who totally dominated the race, securing an early lead and extending it as the race went on to defeat defending champion Katie Zaferes by eight seconds. Rachel Klamer came in third while Vicky Holland edged Taylor Spivey in a sprint finish for fourth and fifth places.

Beaugrand’s dominance was so total that she didn’t even take the Short Chute that she earned by winning her Semi-Final group the previous day.

One other highlight was the tactic of Luisa Baptista who chose to start her run without shoes.

Beaugrand’s win earned her a maximum 15 2019/20 Championship Series points to take into the second race in Malta on 19-20 October and a cool $20,000.

Beaugrand said:

I really enjoyed it. It was very cold, but I think it was better with a swim and a run. The third time it was very difficult but at the beginning it was good. I think it’s a good format for me because it’s very speedy. I am very excited for Malta – and with the good weather.

The race was a tough start to her title defence for Zaferes, but she still came second and picked up $15,000 for her efforts.

Zaferes said:

It was super difficult. I set myself up well with the first swim but coming up on the ramp just kept slipping and ended up being almost last out of the water by the end of it. I am proud of how I fought for it. Cassandre is a very hard person to chase down and as I was chasing her down I was trying not to get chased down by the other. I am super pleased. It was such a hard race to do and I am proud of how we were all able to adapt to the different race scenarios and I thought it was still an amazing race.

Third placed Klamer had a good weekend having topped her Semi-Final group the previous day.

Klamer said:

I am definitely pleased. It has been a little bit windy which was actually quite fun. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to ride but it would have been dangerous and you could feel the wind even on the run. I was getting so close to Katie but not close enough and towards the end my calf started cramping up a little bit. I looked behind at where Vicky was and I was clear and wanted to get to Katie but she was so strong but I am so happy with my third place.