PODIUMS FOR HENRI SCHOEMAN AND JONNY BROWNLEE AT SUPER LEAGUE TRIATHLON MALLORCA

Another weekend of high-pace Super League Triathlon racing, this time in Mallorca. On day one, HUUB’s Henri Schoeman took the Men’s Triple Mix crown with fellow HUUB athlete Jonny Brownlee on the third step of the podium.

On day two, Jonny Brownlee placed second in the Men’s Sprint Enduro, and this time Henri took the bronze. Overall, this put Henri Schoeman second and Jonny Brownlee third on the final podium of the weekend for overall performance at Super League Triathlon Mallorca.

DAY 1

Porto Cristo turned out in force to enjoy some intense racing. The sun was shining as the locals welcomed SLT. After the Age Group racing, the pro women were first to take on the Triple Mix. Taylor Spivey took the first stage, but it was Katie Zaferes who confirmed her place at the top of the ranking with a win in both the second and third stages. Kirsten Kasper rounded off the podium ensuring it was an all American clean sweep.

The men’s field took to the course tackling the Triple Mix after the women. HUUB athlete Henri Schoeman had complained of being ill pre-race but did not show any sign of issues as the racing unfolded. He got himself a gap going into the final stage allowing him to use his strength in the water to dominate. Vincent Luis finished in second despite dropping a chain on the bike in the first stage, followed by HUUB’s Jonny Brownlee.

DAY 2 MEN

Two heats of swim-bike-run start the day which decide who progresses into the Sprint Enduro Stage 2 later in the afternoon. The top four from each heat progress alongside the two fastest athletes from the remaining field in either heat.

Vincent Luis led out of the first swim with HUUB’s Henri Schoeman, unusually, off the back. A leading pack quickly formed on the bike consisting of Luis, Schoeman, Ben Kanute, HUUB athlete Jonny Brownlee, and Marten Van Riel. The lead group were back together as they entered the water.

Luis held the lead as the group left the water for the second time, with Schoeman, Brownlee and Van Riel chasing. At this point, it became clear Kanute had pulled out of the race with injury. The group stuck together on the bike coming into transition as a leading four.

As soon as the final run began Brownlee attacked building a small lead. He took his Short Chute on the first lap putting even more time into Luis. Brownlee now had to hold the lead until the finish, putting enough time into Luis to negate the Short Chute Luis was yet to take. On the final lap of the run, Luis took his Short Chute taking a narrow lead over Brownlee, and put in a surge of his own and held on for the win. Brownlee was close behind, and Schoeman took the third spot on the podium.

DAY 2 WOMEN

Kirsten Kasper took an early lead on the swim building a gap onto the bike. Katie Zaferes took it upon herself to try to bridge the gap pulling the field back up, and they were all back together by the second lap.

Going into T2 Zaferes hit the deck landing hard on her shoulder and had to work especially hard through the run, but managed to bring it all back together by the start of the second swim. At this point Kasper and Spivey both had their Short Chute’s in the locker, as they had both won their individual races.

Kasper led the second swim coming out in the lead for the second time. Only Zaferes was able to bridge the gap on the second bike as the two Americans shared the lead. A group formed going into the final run, but it was Spivey who attacked building a slight lead.

Spivey didn’t take her Short Chute on the first lap, but Kasper did and took the lead. It came down to the final lap when Spivey took her Short Chute on the last corner blasting to the front of the race. It was now a sprint to the line with both Spivey and Kasper giving their all to try to take the win.

Spivey held off a fast-moving Kasper to take a well-earned victory. Zaferes, having hit the deck earlier in the race, finished third, proving she is a worthy champion and worthy series leader.