Search
shop

Lucy Charles crushes Challenge Lisboa

Great racing today in Portugal from super-swimmer Lucy Charles at Challenge Lisboa. Shall we say it again? She's no one trick pony...!
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Super swimmer Charles proves – again – she’s an all-round triathlete

In its various incarnations over the last decade, the middle distance event in Lisbon, now Challenge Lisboa, has been a popular early season event for the British. While the ever expanding calendar and a slight move in dates mean it is no longer seen as the first European ‘Half’ of the year, its speedy course and easy access always attract a good quality field.

Winner in 2014, Alice Hector returned to Portugal a week after winning the Volcano Triathlon in Lanzarote – but it would be another Brit stealing the show today.

Two weeks ago Lucy Charles was part of a thrilling finish at Challenge Gran Canaria, coming up just six seconds short in a battle to the line with fellow Brit, Emma Pallant. Today she would finish one place higher – and do so by six minutes, not six seconds.

Lucy Charles
Lucy Charles

Charles, of course, was first out of the water… and would be first off the bike and first to finish too. Impressive work. Second place went to ITU Hall of Fame athlete, Vanessa Fernandes, the 2008 Olympic Silver medalist who is on the comeback trail after spending several years as an Elite marathon runner. That is a nice scalp to have and proves, once again, Lucy has stepped up her level another notch in 2017. Set to race IRONMAN Lanzarote in two weeks (where her swim lead will be magnified further), it will be interesting to see if she can improve on her third place in what was her first Pro race 12 months ago.

Line Thams (DEN) completed the podium, keeping Alice Hector in fourth a minute further back. Sixth place went to another Brit, Corinne Abraham, who should take away some positives. Her third race in three weeks, she was way off the pace in Gran Canaria two weeks ago and the Volcano Triathlon last week saw her finish ten minutes behind Alice. But, Corinne tends to show her best over the full distance – and the fact that she’s been physically able to race on three consecutive weekends is likely a first in her injury-impacted career – so she has another two weeks to step up again at IRONMAN Lanzarote. A winner of Championship races in Melbourne and Frankfurt, she’s a big race athlete. Things appear to moving in the right direction.

Alice Hector and Corinne Abraham
Alice Hector and Corinne Abraham

Challenge Lisboa, Portugal – Sunday 7th May 2017
1.9km / 90km / 21.1km

WOMEN

1st – Lucy Charles (GBR) – 4:07:24
2nd – Vanessa Fernandes (POR) – 4:13:58
3rd – Line Thams (DEN) – 4:18:20
4th – Alice Hector (GBR) – 4:19:21
5th – Sofie Goos (BEL) – 4:20:37
6th – Corinne Abraham (GBR) – 4:20:55

MEN

1st – Joao Pereira (POR) – 3:41:23
2nd – Christian Kemp (AUS) – 3:44:53
3rd – Patrick Dirksmeier (GER) – 3:45:11
4th – Bruno Pais (POR) – 3:45:17
5th – Jaroslav Kavocic (SLO) – 3:45:18
6th – Justin Metzler (USA) – 3:46:53

AGE-GROUP

Fastest Age-Grouper overall, Chris Standidge (GBR) 3:57:38 (14th overall)

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
Kona scenic 2022 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
The survey results which prompted IRONMAN’s dramatic Kona U-turn
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...