Switzerland dominate U23 European Championships in Eilat

Incredible Sprint Finish in Mixed Relay U23 Championship

Bronze for Olivia Matthias in the Individual race

The British run of medal success at the ETU Triathlon U23 European Championships continued in Eilat, Israel over the weekend – but it was an event dominated by Switzerland, with triple Gold in both individual events and a thrilling finish in the Mixed Relay to push the British squad into Silver, by the narrowest of margins.

It was Olivia Mathias (Bronze) who kept the British run of medals in the individual races (full history below) in tact with Bronze, where the champions were the Swiss pairing of Julie Derron and Max Studer.

Sunday’s Mixed Relay was decided in the final metres, a sprint finish with Jack Willis (fifth in the individual) left them separated by just inches – and given the same time, it was so close, with several present describing it as one of the most exciting races they had ever seen. Scroll forward to 1:10:45 into this video and enjoy – the final moments of commentary are courtesy of Paul Groves! (And great job – once again – from the ETU in trying to provide some live coverage, with zero budget. It’s times like this, that the efforts of some truly dedicated triathlon volunteers pays off).

https://www.facebook.com/ETUtriathlon/videos/1507150326096033/

Great Britain’s success at the ETU U23 Triathlon European Championships:

2018: Olivia Mathias (Bronze)
2017: Georgia Taylor-Brown (Gold), Sian Rainsley (Bronze)
2016: Sophie Coldwell (Silver)
2015: Lucy Hall (Gold), Marc Austin (Silver)
2014: Gordon Benson (Gold)
2013: Lois Rosindale (Gold)
2012: Thomas Bishop (Bronze)
2011: N/A
2010: Jonathan Brownlee (Silver)
2009: Jodie Stimpson (Silver)
2008: N/A
2007: Ritchie Nicholls (Gold), Rosie Clarke (Gold)
2006: Will Clarke (Gold), Oliver Freeman (Silver)
2005: Helen Jenkins (Silver)

ETU Triathlon U23 European Championships, Eilat Israel – Saturday 20th October 2018
1.5km / 40km / 10km

MEN

1st – Max Studer (SUI) – 1:54:19
2nd – Jannik Schaufler (GER) – 1:54:34
3rd – Roberto Sanchez Mantecon (ESP) – 1:54:36
4th – Ran Sagiv (ISR) – 1:54:38
5th – Jack Willis (GBR) – 1:54:43

Max Studer - ETU Triathlon U23 European Championships, Eilat, Israel — Photo: ETU Triathlon

7th – Barclay Izzard (GBR) – 1:55:01
15th – Samuel Dickinson (GBR) – 1:56:49
31st – Chris Perham (GBR) – 2:00:34

WOMEN

1st – Julie Derron (SUI) – 2:09:19
2nd – Cecilia Santamaria Surroca (ESP) – 2:09:43
3rd – Olivia Matthias (GBR) – 2:10:39
4th – Sophie Alden (GBR) – 2:11:19
5th – Estelle Perriard (SUI) – 2:11:52

Julie Derron - ETU Triathlon U23 European Championships, Eilat, Israel — Photo: ETU Triathlon

DNF – Sian Rainsley (GBR)

ETU Mixed Relay Triathlon U23 European Championships, Eilat, Israel – Sunday 21st October 2018
300m / 5.6km / 1.1km

1st – Switzerland – 1:06:17
2nd – Great Britain – 1:06:17
3rd – Russia – 1:06:30

Omg…photo finish at the mixed team relays!! Gold to @SwissTriathlon_ #2 @BritTri and #3 @RussianTri. #4 @TRIATLONSP and team Israel 5. pic.twitter.com/Xtlm9fsdfS

— ISRTRI (@isrtri) October 21, 2018