For much of the race, it looked as though Italy’s Angelica Prestia was on her way to capturing the U23 World Championship title at the WTCS Finals in Wollongong. But in a dramatic final sprint, it was Australia’s own Richelle Hill who found another gear in the closing meters, surging past Prestia right before the finish line to take a stunning victory on home soil.
As is often the case in Olympic Distance racing, a large leading pack entered T2 together, setting up a decisive 10-kilometer run to determine the podium. Prestia appeared to have the edge heading into the final stretch, but Hill somehow managed to summon a last burst of energy when it mattered most, turning the race around in breathtaking fashion.
Hill stopped the clock at 1:56:58, just two seconds ahead of Prestia, who finished in 1:57:00. Hungary’s Márta Kropkó completed the podium with a time of 1:57:03.
Watch the epic sprint finish here: