Zaferes Regains Top Spot As Beaugrand’s Day Ends In Tears At Super League Malta

Katie Zaferes reclaimed her spot at the top of the Super League tree in a dramatic Final in Malta.

The American star, who was beaten by rival Cassandre Beaugrand at RBC Super League Jersey 2019, had her revenge in the Final, though not as she would have wished with the young Frenchwoman forced out with a mechanical issue.

The Women’s Equalizer started with a highly-charged bike Individual Time Trial (ITT), followed by a pursuit-style start of swim-bike-run-swim-bike-run.

The race was started by Sport Malta ambassador Jake Vella, the ten-year-old who touched the hearts of Super League with his love of triathlon while suffering from ROHHAD, an extremely rare condition that means no matter how much he exercises or diets he keeps gaining weight.

Japan’s Yuko Takahashi was out of the water first and led the field on the bike. But Zaferes’ fitness and determination powered her through to the lead, with Day 1 Semi-Final winner Beaugrand stepping up her pace to minimise the distance between herself and the front pack.

But to Beaugrand – and the crowd’s – shock, the Frenchwoman suffered a devastating mechanical failure to her derailleur halfway up the hill on the second bike leg and had to bow out of the race in tears, leaving Zaferes, the Netherlands’ Rachel Klamer and Takahashi to fight for the podium spots.

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Zaferes once again took absolute control, sprinting uphill for the win. Klamer came in second – her face filled with emotion – and a very excited Takahashi took third. Klamer’s quick bike time sees her continue holding the green jersey, and Takahashi’s rapid transitioning means she also remains in the grey jersey.

USA’s Taylor Spivey had a very good all-round performance, just missing the podium in fourth, with Great Britain’s Sophie Coldwell taking fifth and holding onto the blue jersey. Although Cassandre did not finish, her lightning-fast swim sees her swap the pink jersey for the red.

Yesterday’s Junior winner and Pro Final qualifier Beatrice Mallozzi had the race of her life. Although competing in her third race of the weekend, the young Italian gave everything she got, impressively finishing in the Top 10.

CURRENT SLT STANDINGS:

1. Katie Zaferes – 29pts
2. Rachel Klamer – 27pts
3. Taylor Spivey – 23pts
4. Cassandre Beaugrand – 22pts
5. Sophie Coldwell – 20pts

COLOURED JERSEY HOLDERS (AFTER DAY 2):

• Pink (Series Leader): Katie Zaferes (USA) / Vincent Luis (FRA)
• Blue (Fastest Swim): Sophie Coldwell (GBR) / Vincent Luis (FRA)
• Green (Fastest Bike): Rachel Klamer (NED) / Hayden Wilde (NZL)
• Red (Fastest Run): Cassandre Beaugrand (FRA) / Hayden Wilde (NZL)
• Grey (Fastest Transition): Yuko Takahashi (JPN) / Hayden Wilde (NZL)