Mooloolaba, Australia (March 17, 2013) - Anne Haug (GER) continued on in 2013 where she left off last year, the 2012 World Triathlon Series grand final winner taking out the opening ITU World Cup of the year in a hot and windy Mooloolaba today.
Haug showed her strength on the bike and run to destroy a quality field, leaving Jodie Stimpson (GBR) and local hope Emma Moffatt (AUS) in second and third place with 2012 world number 3 Andrea Hewitt (NZL) in fourth.
Moffat had the locals cheering when she emerged from the swim leg in first place, in the process taking the US$500 bonus. She had good company though, with Hewitt, Rebecca Clarke (NZL), Natalie Van Coevorden (AUS), Simone Ackermann (NZL), Aileen Reid (IRL) and Stimpson (GBR) in the lead group.
That move by Haug was put in perspective just one lap into the seven lap 40km bike ride when the leaders came through over a minute clear of the chasers, a gap that would only get bigger as each lap ticked by, had the German not bridged early her race would surely have been over.
Little changed throughout the bike leg and as they headed out on the run it was Haug quickest through transition with the lead group of eight establishing a margin of over 3 and a half minutes over the chase group. It was an impressive ride from the leaders in the hot and windy conditions, the offshore breeze welcomed by the spectators but not the athletes.
The race was over however for Sarah Dueble (AUS), Kathy Rakel (USA) and Mikayla Nielsen (NZL), their brave effort to stay in front of the lead group was to no avail as they were passed on the final lap of the bike and under ITU rules, their day was over.
Eight quickly became four on the run, with Haug, Stimpson, Moffatt and Hewitt showing their class. First to drop was Hewitt, leaving three to fight out the medals with 5km to race. Despite the support of the home fans it was Moffatt who was the next to find the pace too quick, and the race was down to two.
Despite her renowned sprint ability, it was Haug who made the move with just over a kilometre to run, kicking clear of Stimpson to win her first ITU World Cup race, confirming her status as one of the sport's leading lights.
Mooloolaba ITU Triathlon World Cup - 17 March 2013
Final Results - Elite Women - 1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
ELITE WOMEN
1. Anne Haug GER 02:03:31
2. Jodie Stimpson GBR 02:03:53
3. Emma Moffatt AUS 02:04:24
4. Andrea Hewitt NZL 02:05:13
5. Natalie Van Coevorden AUS 02:07:03
6. Aileen Reid IRL 02:07:50
7. Charlotte Mcshane AUS 02:09:54
8. Maaike Caelers NED 02:10:52
9. Annamaria Mazzetti ITA 02:10:55
10. Simone Ackermann NZL 02:10:59
