CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Chelsea Burns represented the U.S. at the first International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Cup of the season on Sunday, taking seventh on a sprint-distance course in Cape Town.
Burns (Seattle, Wash.) covered the 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, 5-kilometer run course in 59 minutes, 52 seconds. Great Britain’s Vicky Holland took the win, coming across the line in 58:18. She was followed by compatriot Non Stanford in second in 58:52, and Hungary’s Zsanett Bragmayer took bronze in 59:07.
Bragmayer took the early lead, recording a 9:05 swim split that was five seconds faster than anyone else in the field. Stanford, Holland and Portugal’s Melanie Santos were close behind her, while Burns’ 9:22 split put her in the first chase pack heading onto the bike.
At the end of the technical four-lap bike course, Burns was still in the chase pack almost a minute down from the leaders. With a 17:09 run split — the fourth-fastest of the day — she successfully cracked the top seven for a strong season opener.
In the men’s race, Robby Webster (Phoenix, Ariz.) recorded a 43rd-place finish in 57:35. South Africans Richard Murray and Henri Schoeman took the top two spots, claiming gold and silver respectively in 52:15 and 52:39. Lukas Pertl of Austria rounded out the podium in 52:49.
The season continues with the first stop on the ITU World Triathlon Series circuit on March 2 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The ITU World Cup then heads to Mooloolaba, Australia, on March 10.
2018 Cape Town ITU Triathlon World Cup
750m swim, 20k bike, 5k run
Elite Women — Complete Results
1. Vicky Holland (GBR), 58:18
2. Non Stanford (GBR), 58:52
3. Zsanett Bragmayer (HUN), 59:07
4. Simone Ackermann (RSA), 59:28
5. Juri Ide (JPN), 59:38
U.S. Finishers
7. Chelsea Burns (Seattle, Wash.), 59:52
Elite Men — Complete Results
1. Richard Murray (RSA), 52:15
2. Henri Schoeman (RSA), 52:39
3. Lukas Pertl (AUT), 52:49
4. Shachar Sagiv (ISR), 53:02
5. Lukas Hollaus (AUT), 53:08
U.S. Finishers
43. Robby Webster (Phoenix, Ariz.), 57:35
Tony Smoragiewicz (Rapid City, S.D.), DSQ
About USA Triathlon
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 races and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work with athletes, coaches, and race directors on the grassroots level, USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the ITU and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).
