While the triathlon world’s attention was largely fixed on the Ironman World Championship on Kona this weekend, there was no shortage of excitement elsewhere. In Santa Cruz, Tenerife, the Europe Triathlon Cup delivered its own dose of drama – capped off by a thrilling sprint finish that saw Austria’s Carina Reicht claim victory by the narrowest of margins.
Reicht crossed the line just one second ahead of Spain’s Sara Guerrero Manso, who had been leading as the athletes charged into the final meters. In a powerful late surge, Reicht managed to overtake her rival right before the finish tape, sealing the win in spectacular fashion. The bronze medal went to France’s Mathilde Gautier, who finished three seconds behind Reicht.
On the men’s side, it was France’s Paul Georgenthum who took top honors, breaking the tape in 50:35. Spain’s Pelayo González Turrez claimed silver just two seconds later (50:37), while fellow Spaniard Jarno Pousada Troitino rounded out the podium in 50:50.
You can watch the sprint finish in the women’s race here: