Spain athletes snatched the first two spots on the podium of the men's elite group in the World Triathlon Cup, Hong Kong on Sunday, with world number 39 Alberto Gonzalez Garcia snatching gold and Antonio Serrat Seonane finishing second.
The race started at the Wan Chai Harbourfront, with athletes required to first swim for 750 meters, cycle for 20 kilometers and run for five kilometers before reaching the finish line at the Golden Bauhinia Square, which is half the distance raced in the Olympic Games.
Garcia snatched gold with a time of 53 minutes and 17 seconds in the men's elite group. Seoane, who finished in 2nd place, said the most challenging part he found in the race was the quality of his opponents.
In the women's event, Briton Sian Rainsley, who won the World Triathlon Cup in Hamburg, Germany back in 2022 reclaimed her title in the women's elite group with a time of 59 minutes and 44 seconds.
Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Katie Zaferes from the US was the first runner up in the race.
Five Hong Kong athletes also joined the competition, with Bailee Briana Brown crossing the finish line in one hour two minutes and 40 seconds, coming in 40th place.
"There were many a lot of quality in my opponents, it was the most difficult competition I have ever joined, and I also sustained an injury due to the fierce competition," Brown said.
"I am hoping to improve my speed and strength, and hopefully do better next time. I also heard people screaming my name and 'Hong Kong' along the race, which is really touching," she added.
Another Hong Kong athlete Jason Ng Tai-long, who snatched bronze in the Hangzhou Asian Games, finished the race in one hour and eight seconds in 55th place.
"But this would not affect my emotions, I will adjust my mentality to prepare myself for the next competition," Ng said.
The other three Hong Kong athletes Robin Elg, Mark Yu Shing-him and Nicholas Tsang Cheung-sing all finished before Ng in 23rd, 29th and 38th place.
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