Triathlon: Smith revels in Canary Wharf challenge (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Triathlon: Smith revels in Canary Wharf challenge

12:50pm Thursday 28th July 2011 in Sport

JUNIOR triathlete Beau Smith strengthened his growing reputation when first British junior and 11th overall in a senior international elite field in the GE Canary Wharf Triathlon in London.

The Yealand Redmayne 18-year-old went into the heats seeded 36th out of a 45-strong entry, but a seventh in the heats that swept him into the 20-strong field for the final against opponents from as far afield as Australia, USA and South Africa.

In Central London full of City business-people in early evening taking an interest after work was making this SuperSprint distance event a memorable experience.

And in the fading light, competitors had to have "glow-sticks" attached to their wetsuits for the final’s swim. Despite a strong pace, Beau stayed near the front of the swin and rode in the lead pack on the bike.

The Australian contingent pushed the pace hard, but Beau revelled in racing with some of the best triathletes around and even led the way into second transition.

The 2.1km run was made up of a further two laps of the course and he put in a tremendous effort to finish 11th overall, and first of the three British juniors.

Earlier, Beau raced among the “pro wave” at the Liverpool Olympic Distance Triathlon, part of the Global 5150 series.

After the 1500 swim in Queen’s Dock, he started the bike ride in third and four 10k laps around closed road left him in seventh and he made up a couple of places to finish fifth.