This morning started early for all the Brits with the Junior Women heading for Lake Rolava for their 09:00 hrs start. Nigel FARROW, experienced photogrpaher, noted that Jodie SWALLOW looked pre-occupied. Well, she had every reason to be so as she was here in the Czech Republic to defend her title.

Having won the European title at Stein and then the World University title later in the year she was here to show those who doubted her strength on the bike that she could hold her own not only in the swim but also out on the bike - and of course on the run.

Her speed in the water took her 15 seconds clear on the first lap of the three laps around the picturesque lake. Out onto the bike she had increased her lead to 30 seconds with Anneliese HEARD in second. We all expected Anneleise to join her but as we moved down the course to the centre of the Spa Town we clocked her having a 56 second lead.

As she pulled away on the bike that lead grew to 2 minutes and then to 2:30. Once out on the run it was never going to be in doubt. Jodie SWALLOW managed to clock the fastest swim, the fastest bike and the fastest run split. It prompted Henning MULLER, Vice President of the ETU, to comment, "What has she been doing during the winter months to get so fast on the bike?" Well, the simple answer is, TRAINING.

And hasn't it paid off!!

Catherine HARE had a strong swim placing her fifth as they set off on the bike. She held on well in the bike to clock the sixth fastest split and then ran well to finish second Brit in 7th place beating Double World Champion Anneliese Heard.

The crowds had lifted the athletes as they negotiated the tough course and with the prospect of the Men's Race coming at 11:00 and with live TV coverage from Eurosport the streets were filled.

It was not to be as easy for the men and the seeds of victory were sown early in the day by Filip OSPALY. He promised to provide one of the Czech commentators with a special birthday present.

The crowds here gave great support to him as he ran around the streets of Karlovy Vary but first they had the swim to contend with. Richard STANNARD swam to form and led the early part of the race with ease. Just behind him and having a superb swim was Stuart HAYES and it was these two who set off at the front end of the cycle. Very soon a huge pack of some 20 athletes were racing through the streets of the spa town. Spencer SMITH made a valiant break away but was caught by the fast moving pack.

Disaster struck STANNARD as he collided with Czech athlete MILICHOVSKY. The collision stripped out a number of spokes and STANNARD had to run with his bike to the second transition. By this time the pack had broken down to see Spaniard Ivan RANA head out onto the run with flying Dutchman Eric van der LINDEN and local hero Filip OSPALY.

The roaring crowds urged OSPALY around the course and in the final lap he struck against the two others who had held with him. A strong run from AJ saw him take fourth place and STANNARD, despite the cruel twist of fate that wrecked his bike, showed true grit and carried on for the finish. He was later heard to say, "When I wear a GB vest, I race to finish!" Brave words from a brave athlete.

DNF HATES Stuart GBR Retired on the run having had the second fastest swim and 18th fastest bike

From speaking to Katherine WILLIAMS (Tri Digest) it would seem that this was the closest finish for many years.

So, the scene was set for the women. After a surprise start it was Leanda CAVE GBR and Joelle FRANZMANN GER who led the swim. Out on the bike they held the lead on all seven laps with that tortuous climb. The average lead was 58 seconds but they had clearly worked too hard and the chase pack, with Annie EMMERSON, Michelle DILLON and Belgian Kathleen SMET looked dangerous.

Reports came back to the commentary box once the run was underway that CAVE was looking tired and losing pace to FRANZMANN but as she was losing touch so the storming pair of EMMERSON and DILLON were gaining. They took twenty seconds out of the leader in the first kilometre and as each step was taken got closer and closer to overtaking the German athlete who surely was feeling the strain from the testing bike ride.

It was then a race between the Orca clad duo of EMMERSON and DILLON and a fast finishing SMET from Belgium. As they rounded the last corner it was DILLON in first place, SMET in second and EMMERSON still in contact in third. The huge crowd of Brits did their best to lift Annie but that is how it stayed.