Rebecca Dussault has captured first place at the 2010 Winter Triathlon World Championships in Eidsvoll, Norway. Dussault, a 2006 Olympian, took the win in 1:19:47, nearly two minutes over second place Tatiana Charochkina of Russia (1:21:34), with Hanne Tronnes of Norway another six seconds back in third place (1:21:40). Dussault is the first non-European athlete to win the Winter Triathlon World Championships since it was first contested 14 years ago.
The 29-year-old American from Gunnison, Colorado raced with the lead pack during the run and bike legs of the competition and broke away in the final lap of the bike and used a quick transition to her skis to build her lead, which she carried all the way to the finish. Dussault was second after the run, five seconds back on fellow American Emma Garrard, but pulled ahead on the bike, clocking the fastest time of the entire field. Garrard, originally from Anchorage, AK, was slowed by a flat tire during the bike, putting her out of contention for a top result. Dussault built her lead during the bike over the rest of the field, but second place finisher Charochkina clocked the fastest ski time (27:06 to Dussault’s 27:45), cutting into Dussault’s overall lead.
Dussault has steadily improved her results at the Winter Triathlon World Championships over the past three years. After placing sixth in 2008 at the Championships in Italy, Dussault took third place in the 2009 Championships in Austria.
“I was really happy with today as I’ve come over a couple times and seemed to be plagued with bad luck,” said Dussault following her win. “Last week I had a flat tire and last year at [the World Championships] I had a problem with my skis, but today I put it all together and I finally have the win. It’s wonderful.”
Click here for a press release from the International Triathlon Union.
