TRI247
Search
shop
SUPERTRI E TICKETS DISCOUNT & VIP COMPETITION
SUPERTRI E TICKETS DISCOUNT & VIP COMPETITION

Sala delighted with The Championship podium following flu

Sara Perez Sala finished on the podium once again at The Championship 2023.

Staff Reporter
Last updated -
SHOP
Watch Potter, Brownlee & Beaugrand LIVE

The Championship 2023 offered thrilling battles in the men and women’s professional races, with the podium positions coming down to the wire with close sprint finishes in both races.

In the women’s event, India Lee took the win, as defending champion Sara Perez Sala couldn’t quite hold off Caroline Pohle in the final 200 metres of the run – but did hold off a fast finishing Amelia Watkinson to round out the podium.

Spaniard Sala, who was sick in the lead up to the race, shared afterwards just how happy she was to finish on the podium after a hard day of racing in Slovakia.

Conditions made for tough day out

With swim temperatures bordering on the limit for a middle distance swim, but air temperatures exceeding 25 degrees celsius, dealing with the weather was one of the toughest parts shared Sala.

“The weather was crazy. The swim course was freezing and I have never done a swim in these conditions and I felt a little strange but managed it okay. We weren’t sure if we had a swim or not, but I am glad it went ahead.

“Then out on the bike, it was hot, but not so bad, but after transition, the run course was extremely hot, which made it even more hard in the last parts of the race, especially the finish.” 

Advertisement

“I am really happy with third position”

After close to four hours of racing, a sprint finish is the last thing you want to do, but it was the reality of the situation Sala found herself in on the last section of the run.

Sara Perez Sala The Championship 2023 run (finish)
Photo Credit: Bartłomiej Zborowski/Activ’Images

“It is tough to have someone closing in on you; over the last two laps I was feeling dead, so it was a really hard last seven kilometres.

When I saw Caroline a kilometre away from the finishing line, I started to think ‘oh no’ and tried to run as fast as possible, but when she went past me I just had nothing to give.

Despite losing out to German Pohle, Sala managed to stay strong for third, a result she was especially happy with given her build up to the race.

“I was sick, I had the flu, at the start of the week, so I am really happy, because yesterday I thought that maybe a good race would be finishing in fifth or sixth position.

“Today was a tough day but a really good day as well and most of all I am just really happy with the third position and a podium.” 

13th April 2024 - London
Watch Potter, Brownlee & Beaugrand as these triathlon superstars take on the world in the build up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
LIMITED TICKETS - DON'T MISS OUT!
Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Kyle Smith
Watt it takes to win at supertri E – a data dive into how deep the PROs have to dig
Arena Games Triathlon Finals Singapore - Beth Potter bike
The evolution of Esports in triathlon – How supertri brought virtual racing to the mainstream
Beth Potter Arena Games Triathlon Finals Singapore
Lightning fast splits and record breaking performances – relive some of the top moments from women’s supertri E racing
Lionel Sanders Arena Games Montreal game face on bike photo credit SLT
Countdown to supertri E – a look back at some of the most epic moments in men’s triathlon E racing
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
Brownlee brothers on the costly race day swim mistakes to avoid – plus their own mishaps
latest News
Georgia Taylor-Brown WTCS Yokohama 2023 finish
World Triathlon Indoor Cup Lievin: Start time, preview, format and how to watch live
Kat Matthews PTO Tour US Open 2023
Kat Matthews shares details of race against time to recover from Miami T100 injury
Mixed Team Relay France podium WTCS Sunderland 2023 photo credit: World Triathlon / Petko Beier
World Triathlon confirm initial nine teams to qualify for Paris Olympic Games Mixed Relay
Ruth Astle St George finish line 2022 photo credit Tom Pennington Getty Images for IRONMAN
British IRONMAN Champion on committing to professional triathlon and chasing a T100 Tour wildcard
Ben Kanute / Tom Bishop PTO European Open 2023 Ibiza
Former American Olympic triathlete shares the “s*** side of the sport” after Miami T100
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
Invalid email address
The SBRX Group

Proudly elevating endurance sports through content, products & services

SBRX
RUN247
Share to...