Europe Triathlon

The powerful Great British Age Group team once again showed their strength by dominating the ETU Powerman European Sprint Distance Duathlon Championships in Horst aan de Maas.

The Brits picked up 43 medals across all the age categories, winning 13 gold. They won at least one medal in every category they competed in.

In the Women’s 16-19 category, Diana Chalmers and Tasmin Boam got the ball rolling with gold and silver. Agnethe Underbjerg finished third for Denmark. In the Men’s category it was another British one-two with Finn Barnes and Tom Stead ahead of Poland’s Michal Oliwa.

It was a clean sweep for the Brits in the Women’s 20-24 category as Jennifer Douglas, Catriona Buchanan and Mary Bird completed the podium. In the Men’s category, Erik van der Heijden (NED) claimed the gold medal ahead of Anthony Meager and Lewis Eccleston (both GBR).

Maria Hivner (GER) became European Champion in the 25-29 Women’s category with the British duo of Samantha Anderson and Suzy Robinson finishing second and third respectively. In the Men’s category, Matthew Hallam took gold with Germany’s Kolja Milobonski claiming silver in second. Lee Cook (GBR) finished third.

There was another German victory in the Women’s 30-34 category with Kathrin Mannweiler in first place. Mathilda Pauls (GBR) and Caroline Conway (IRL) completed the podium. In the Men’s category, Peter Ellis (GBR) became European Champion with Lienhard Hersel (GER) second and James Stewart (GBR) third.

Judith Lowry claimed Ireland’s only gold medal of the Championships in the Women’s 35-39 category. She led home British duo Donna McHugh and Bridget King. In the Men’s category, Daniel Mannweiler made it a family affair and matched his wife’s effort in the 30-34 category with a gold medal of his own. Scott O’Neill-Gwilliams and Paul Hart (both GBR) completed the podium.

In the Women’s 40-44 category it was another clean sweep for Team GB with Beth Scholes, Ruth Marsden and Steph Scott taking the honours. The British Men repeated the feat in the same category as Alan Murchison, Mark Flannery and David Mole completed the podium.

There was another British one-two in the Women’s 45-49 category with Jacqui Phillips claiming the European title ahead of Kate Morris. Anke Lakies (GER) finished third to win the bronze medal. In the Men’s category, Marcel Montag (GER) won the gold medal with Craig Dyce (GBR) in second place and Christian Siedlitzki (AUT) winning Austria’s only medal of the Championships.

In the Women’s 50-54 category, Gill Fullen (GBR) is the European Sprint Distance European Champion. Elizabeth O’Connor (IRL) was second and Caroline Parkins (GBR) third. In the Men’s category, Fernando Fernandez (ESP) won Spain’s only gold medal at the Sprint Distance Championships. Hermann-Josef Limburg (GER) finished second and Robert Elstone (GBR) claimed the bronze medal.

Swantje Kolberg (GER) won gold in the Women’s 55-59 category ahead of British duo Shelley Parkinson and Rosemary Todhunter. In the Men’s category, Ralf Laermann won another gold medal for Germany’s age group team. Peter Hollins (GBR) finished second with Claus Mees (GER) third.

The third British clean sweep of the day came in the Women’s 60-64 category where Sharon Bardsley, Margaret Jagan and Alison Vessey made up the podium. In the Men’s category, Nigel Gates (GBR) is the European Champion with Germany’s Heinz Storz and Ulrich Nikulla completing the podium.

The Women’s 65-69 and 70-74 categories were both one by the sole British competitors, Helen Hayes and Cristine Ravetz, respectively.

The oldest female competitor was Frieda Metz (GER) who becomes European Champion in the 75-79 catgeory.

In the Men’s 65-69 category, Bert Streumer won the gold medal with Roland Jochem (GER) second and Raymond O’Grady (GBR) third.

Ernst Zeh (GER) became European Champion in the Men’s 70-74 age group category. Vernon Thomas (GBR) picked up the silver medal and Philip Nièl (DEN) won the bronze medal with third place.

The oldest male competitor was Germany’s Theo Herberger who becomes European Champion for the 75-79 age group category.

Full results for every Age Group category can be found on the ETU website.