In the opening event of this weekend’s three ground breaking ITU-sanctioned triathlons in Havana, Cuba, Rodrigo Gonzalez of Mexico and Rene Tomlin of the United States won the elite sprint titles in the CAMTRI American Cup and Iberoamerican Championships.
Gonzalez finished the 750-meter swim, 20- kilometer bike leg and 5 kilometer run in a time of 57:48 which gave him a 33 seconds margin of victory over runner-up Daniel Hofer of Italy and 37 seconds over 3rd place finisher Bryan Keane of Ireland.
Michel Gonzalez of Cuba finished 4th, 32 seconds back of Keane. Top U.S. finishers were Nick Karwoski, 6th, Robby Webster, 10th, Dan McIntosh, 13th and Chris Foster, 16th.
Renee Tomlin of the U.S. won the women's elite title in a time of 1:04:22, which gave her a 12 seconds margin over fellow U.S. triathlete Kirsten Kasper and 31 seconds over 3rd-place finisher Tamara Gomez Garrido of Spain. Lisandra Hernandez of Cuba finished 6th in 1:06:36.
While Cuba organized an ITU sanctioned triathlon in 2006, this was the first time that American triathletes were permitted by their country to compete in Cuba. These sprint, Olympic and long distance triathlons have attracted athletes from 25 countries including 100 from Mexico and 25 from the United States.
The races have been organized with cooperation from the Cuban National Federation, the ITU, the American Triathlon Confederation (CAMTRI), and its member National Federations.
“We know hosting international races is an important and effective development tool for the sport, which is the main goal here,” said ITU President and International Olympic Committee member Marisol Casado.
“We have learned a lot in this cooperation, as countries like Italy and Spain have been working with Cuba to organize the race, and how sport can bring cultures together,” said Spanish Federation President José Hidalgo.
Tomorrow, the Habana CAMTRI American Cup and Iberoamerican Championship will hold elite triathlons at the Olympic distance and Ironman-distance.
Habana CAMTRI Sprint Triathlon
American Cup and Iberoamerican Championship
Havana, Cuba
January 24, 2015
S 750m / B 20k / R 5k
Results
Elite Men
1. Rodrigo Gonzalez (MEX) 57:48
2. Daniel Hofer (ITA) 58:21
3. Bryan Keane (IRL) 58:25
4. Michel Gonzalez (CUB) 58:57
5. David Castro Fajardo (ESP) 59:29
6. Nick Karwoski (USA) 59:36
10. Robby Webster (USA) 1:00:13
13. Dan McIntosh (USA) 1:00:32
16. Chris Foster (USA) 1:01:23
DNF Josh Izweksi (USA)
Elite Women
1. Renee Tomlin (USA) 1:04:22
2. Kirsten Kasper (USA) 1:04:34
3. Tamara Gomez Garrido (ESP) 1:04:53
4. Miriam Casillas Garcia (ESP) 1:05:43
5. Melanie Santos (POR) 1:06:12
6. Lisandra Hernandez (CUB) 1:06:36
10. Rebeccah Wassner (USA) 1:07:47
