Edmonton triathlon: Canadians crack top 10 despite brutal conditions

Two Canadians finished in the top 10, and another in the top 15 at the final World Triathlon Series race before the world championships on Sunday in Edmonton.

Andrew Yorke, of Caledon, Ont., turned in a career-best eighth-place finish in the men's race, while Victoria's Kirsten Sweetland was at her best so far this year in capturing the 10th spot in a race that saw air conditions plummet to seven Celcius as rain pelted down on Hawrelak Park.

Yorke, 26, clocked a time of 53:49 amid cold temperatures, rain and heavy winds that would call for most to dress for winter rather than wear a bathing suit.

"I just wanted to embrace it and make the best of a tough situation," said Yorke, whose previous best finish on the World Triathlon Series was 15th last year in Yokohama, Japan.

His seventh-place finish at the Pan Am Games in July was also tops among Canadians. 

Added value for Yorke

"I'm so happy. This race doubled as our national championships, and I've never won that before so it is pretty cool."

Yorke dropped back as he struggled with cold hands and feet to get his running shoes on in the second transition, but he bolted onto the run course where he eventually climbed into the top-10.

"I think the cold hands might have cost me a shot at fighting for a medal position because I felt really awesome despite the tough conditions," said Yorke.

"I've been working hard to perform at the end of the season so it is coming around. It was a great day for me."

Richard Murray, of South Africa, took gold with a time of 53:19, Spain's Javier Gomez wasn't for behind at 53:23, while countryman Mario Mola claimed the bronze medal in a time of 53:34.

Tyler Mislawchuk, of Oak Bluff, Man., was in the lead pack throughout the bike and for the first lap of the run before being hindered by the cold weather.

The 20-year-old rising start hung on for the 19th spot and Kyle Jones, of Oakville, Ont., was 49th.

Sweetland reaches ideal goal

Meanwhile, Sweetland, 26, was one of two Canadians to charge into the top 15 in the women's race. She registered her 10th-place effort in a time of 59:56.

"These were pretty unique conditions. I have trained in this weather and raced in these conditions when I was 10 years old. I told myself 'If I can do it then, then I can do it now."

Finishing just her third World Triathlon Series race this year while battling a bacteria infection that has kept her on the sidelines, Sweetland dug deep to pick off the world's best on the run course, where she eventually grabbed the final spot in the elusive top 10. 

"My ideal goal today was top 10, but I thought that may be shooting a little high given my preparation and the hurdles I have had to overcome this year so I'm really pleased," added Sweetland.

Great Britain's Vicky Holland smashed the field once foot hit pavement for the five-kilometre run, winning with a time of 58:55. Bermuda's Flora Duffy was second at 59:04, while Australia's Gillian Backhouse rounded out the women's podium in third with a time of 59:10.

Impressive debut for Jamnicky

22-year-old Dominika Jamnicky of Port Hope, Ont., who was competing in her first world race, hung on for 15th place after punching a time of 1:00:31.

"Wow I'm absolutely on cloud nine. I swam in lead pack and biked in the lead pack with the best girls in the world. When I was second out of second transition I was like is this really happening," said Jamnicky.

"If you saw me out there I had a smile on my face the whole way around. It was an awesome day for me and a great experience."

Jamnicky will now represent Canada in the Under-23 World Championships race in Chicago.

Calgary's Alex Coates was the only other Canadian in the women's field and finished 35th.

The Grand Final of the World Triathlon Series is set to take place, September 15-20 in Chicago.