| Challenge Canberra 2024 has concluded following two days of competitive racing with a who’s who of young Australian short course talent, up against long course athletes. The two days featured an Olympic distance on Day 1 and the sprint distance on Day 2 with the combined scores deciding the overall Challenge Canberra titles. Both races showcased strong performances, with Tara Sosinski (AUS) and Callum McClusky (AUS) emerging as the overall champions. The first day of men’s racing over the Olympic distanced began with a lead group of seven exiting the swim, led by Rory Thornhill (AUS). On the bike, McClusky joined the lead pack with Josh Woolridge (AUS), Harry Wilkes (AUS), and Jarrod Osbourne (AUS). In the 10km run, McClusky pulled away to take a hometown win by two minutes, with Osbourne in second and Woolridge third. On the second day, after a great swim, McClusky stayed with the lead swim group and maintained a strong position on the bike. Osbourne caught up to the leaders during the bike leg and took the lead on the run at the 4km mark. Osbourne won the sprint, with McClusky second and Bailey Tuddenham in third. Callum McClusky claimed the combined title after a dominant performance in the Olympic distance and secured his overall win, finishing his season on a high note at his hometown race. Jarrod Osbourne (AUS) finished second overall, and Josh Woolridge (AUS) placed third. “This was something a bit different for me, non-drafting Olympic and sprint distance so it made it really tough,” said McClusky. “It’s good to race at home in Canberra at a great event. I was feeling it at the end of the bike today for sure, but I was lucky enough to hang on and get the win.” In the women’s race over the Olympic distance, Sosinski led the swim alongside Jodie Stimpson (GBR) and Chloe Bateup (AUS), with Richelle Hill (AUS) and Charlotte McShane (AUS) following in the chase group. On the bike, Sosinski and Stimpson worked together until Hill broke away at the 25 km mark. Sosinski maintained her lead until the final kilometre of the run course, where Hill overtook her to win. Stimpson finished in third. Sosinski led from the swim on day two and kept her position through the bike, entering T2 ahead of Stimpson. Richelle Hill secured third place coming off the bike but could not close the gap to Sosinski, who went on to win the sprint race. Stimpson finished second, with Hill third. Tara Sosinski secured the combined Challenge Canberra title with strong performances on both days, staying ahead of Richelle Hill and Jodie Stimpson.“It’s been an amazing event,” said Sosinski. “Yesterday afternoon was brutal conditions, it was really hot out here – the swim and bike was OK but I definitely struggled on the run. I knew coming into today I needed to have another good swim and bike and just hold onto the run. Richelle is such an amazing runner so I had to really work hard today!” |
Interesting double-day racing format Challenge Canberra brings Tara Sosinski and Callum McClusky as winners
