Sarah Crowley latest Australian female triathlete to win world crown

DESPITE a stumble at the start, Sarah Crowley has raced off with Australian triathlons second world crown in the space of a week with her unexpected victory at the world long distance championships.

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DESPITE a stumble at the start, Sarah Crowley has raced off with Australian triathlons second world crown in the space of a week with her unexpected victory at the world long distance championships.

Just seven days after compatriot Felicity Sheedy-Ryan won her second world duathlon crown, Crowley was crowned long distance world champion in Canada.

In a purple patch for Australian women, Ashleigh Gentle recently won a World Series race and on Sunday raced off with a bronze in a major international triathlon in Stockholm.

Crowley early Monday became the latest woman to star with her domination of the gruelling 3km swim, 120km bike and 30km run course. Australia’s Josh Amberger and Joe Gambles then won silver and bronze in the men's race.

SURF WORLD MOURNS DEAN MERCER

GENTLE WIN, THEN FAINTS

Sarah Crowley after winning her surprise world title.

After recording the fastest cycle split of the day to be just over two minutes behind off the bike, Crowley was forced to wait until the second leg of the run course to take the lead for the first time.

AUSSIE WINS WORLD TITLE, AGAIN

“It is pretty unreal,’’ said Crowley after claiming her maiden world crown.

“I didn’t go into today expecting that at all, everything just went to plan other than falling over at the start of the swim.

“But I did have a good day though.’’

I raced to my limits today in Penticton. It takes more than 'all in' to beat @LSandersTri, but I got close. Stoked w/2nd at @ITUmultisport! pic.twitter.com/n7gewNnOFp

— Josh Amberger (@JoshAmberger) August 28, 2017

Crowley beat Denmark’s Helle Frederiksen, who she overtook in the run, with Canadian Heather Wurtele third. Former world 70.3 champion Mel Hauschildt finished ninth.

Local Lionel Sanders won the men’s race after overcoming a flat on the bike and then overtaking early race leader Amberger on the final run.

Joe Gambles (right) and Josh Amberger at a race earlier this year.

Women

1. Sarah Crowley (AUS) 5:51:23 S 42:56 B 3:09:24 R 1:55:37 R

2. Helle Frederiksen (DNK) 5:55:04 S 39:31 B 3:10:41 R 2:01:52

3. Heather Wurtele (CAN) 5:55:51 S 42:55 B 3:09:39 R 2:00:00

Men

1. Lionel Sanders (CAN) 5:20:36 S 40:40 B 2:51:12 R 1:45:34

2. Joshua Amberger (AUS) 5:22:09 S 36:29 B 2:48:57 R 1:53:23

3. Joe Gambles (AUS) 5:26:23 S 40:02 B 2:52:55 R 1:50:14