wyvern:extra
Abbie selected for world championships
National Junior Triathlon champion and sports science
student Abbie Thorrington has been selected for the World Junior
Championships to be held in Switzerland at the beginning of September.
Abbie's place in the team was secured after her performance at the
European Junior Cup held in Salford on 30 July - despite coming down to
earth with a bump during the bike course.
Having taken the lead position during the 750m open water swim, Abbie
was joined by just one escapee from the main field, team mate Hollie Avil.
The chase group of seven athletes included Italian Mazzetti, a former
World Junior medalist, as well as all the leading domestic challengers.
The swim was followed by a 20km cycle where Abbie and Hollie were able
to extend their lead from the chasing group by around a minute. Then,
poised to strike an attack, Abbie’s front wheel was clipped by Hollie
Avil’s rear, causing Abbie to fall. She re-mounted after straightening her
bike and chased to re-join the main group. However, Abbie was unable to
take part in the final event, the 5km run, due to a hip injury sustained
in the crash. Hollie Avil went on to take the victory.
The competition served as the selection race for the World Junior
Championships but, despite being unable to finish, the Great Britain
selectors kept faith with Abbie, and placed her in the team.
Abbie's selection adds to her growing list of achievements this season.
Crowned National Junior Triathlon champion in May, Abbie recently secured
third place in a Junior European Cup race held in Rijeka, Croatia,
completing the 5km run two minutes faster than she had been able to at a
European Cup event in France in June.
Abbie is supported by the University Bursary scheme; the national
Talented Athlete Support Scheme (TASS); Team Ipswich; Colchester’s
triathlon shop, 53-12; and has also been recognised by the World Class
Potential programme for British Triathlon.
See also:
