Swallow Sizzles Down Under

First Major World Championship title at 2009 ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships

Perth, Australia Great Britain's Jodie Swallow shattered her opponents with a dominant display from the outset, leading out of the water and breaking well clear on the bike to eventually win by more than 11 minutes from Australia's Rebekah Keat.

Great Britain's Jodie Swallow shattered her opponents with a dominant display from the outset, leading out of the water and breaking well clear on the bike to eventually win by more than 11 minutes from Australia's Rebekah Keat.

Swallow's display was simply outstanding. She had arrived in Perth ten days early and looked right at home from the outset, building on a small lead out of the water to make the most of her powerful frame on the bike and establish a lead of almost eight minutes off the bike. Reigning Australian Long Course champion Pip Taylor tried to stay in touch but suffered cramps, while Keat was unable to muster her usual challenge having competed in Kona only a fortnight ago. Swallow powered to the line unchallenged in a time of 4hr 7min 38 sec, with Keat second and Delphine Pelletier of France third.

"Everything came together really well for me out there so I couldn't be happier," Swallow said. "Before the race everyone seemed to be asking me if I could handle the travel and the hot weather but if you prepare well for these races you give yourself every possible chance. I went to the Olympics (in Athens) and that was a tough experience but you learn and you move on, so to come back and win a world championship is very pleasing. It was hot out there but I managed a pretty complete performance; I'm very proud of myself."

Keat dragged herself to the line in a gutsy display but it was a distant second.

"That really hurt; I'm totally spent," she said. "I tried to mount a challenge but Jodie was on another planet, so full credit to her, she was outstanding. Look, I've just won a silver medal in a world championship, so I shouldn't get too down on myself, but it was a bit ugly out there towards the end."

2009 Perth ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships - Perth, AUS
3-kilometre swim, 80-kilometre bike, 20-kilometre run
Unofficial Results

Elite Women
Gold - Jodie Swallow (GBR) 4:07:38.
Silver - Rebekah Keat (AUS) 4:18:49.
Bronze - Delphine Pelletier (FRA) 4:19:27.
4. Sibylle Matter (SUI)
5. Lucie Zelenkova (CZE)
6. Amelia Pearson (AUS)
7. Lisa Marangon (AUS)
8. Merja Kivaranta (FIN)
9. Pip Taylor (AUS)
10. Rebecca Witinok-Huber (USA)