Rising star Sophie Linn has proved once again she can execute in the big moments after Friday’s Women’s Individual Triathlon Final in Birmingham where she stormed home to finish fifth in her Games Debut.
Bermuda, England and Scotland made up the women’s podium for the fifth edition of triathlon at Commonwealth Games, with the Olympic Champion Flora Duffy (BER) dominating to defend her title, Georgia Taylor-Brown (ENG) claiming Silver and Beth Potter (SCO) Bronze.
Linn’s running pedigree was in full flight on Friday when she produced the second fastest run of the race behind Duffy, ‘necking it’ to the finish and crossing the line in 00:57:08, just two seconds behind fourth placed Sophie Coldwell (ENG) and two seconds ahead of Non Stanford (WAL).
It’s been a whirlwind journey building to this moment for Linn who earned her spot on the team at the Gold Coast automatic qualifier in April earlier this year.
The South Australian, former long-distance track and cross-country runner – who went to college in the US on a running Scholarship and was also a nationally-ranked junior swimmer – made the transition to triathlon in 2018 around the time of the Gold Coast Games.
“I’m absolutely stoked, honestly I was just even stoked to be here to start with, and to get the auto selection in April was a dream come true,” said Linn.
“To be able to execute on the day and be a part of the Commonwealth Games here in Birmingham is just everything I could have asked for.
“It was definitely quite technical (bike course), there was a lot of jostling for positions and I was feeling pretty good coming off into T2, and I felt better than expected on the run.
“I just kept hanging on, and hanging on, coming around the last turn (on the run) I know that Non (Stanford) has a good sprint, so I knew I just had to go for it, and just absolutely necked it down the finishing chute.”
Australia’s Gold Coast 2018 representative Charlotte McShane finished 11th (00:57:42), matching her Gold Coast 2018 performance, and Natalie Van Coevorden finished 14th (00:58:01) in her Games Debut, was once again among the leading swimmers, and with a huge effort on the 4-lap 20km bike course in the large chase pack, were unable to close the gap on the leaders before a final and brutal 5km run leg in Sutton Park.
Team Australia
5th Sophie Linn 00:57:08
11th Charlotte McShane 00:57:42
14th Natalie Van Coevorden 00:58:01
For the full results, click here.
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