Paula Findlay 5th at world triathlon
Canadian Paula Findlay finished fifth at the triathlon world championship in Budapest, Hungary, on Sunday. The 21-year-old finished the race in a time of one hour 51 minutes 30 seconds.
The race included a 1,500-metre swim, 40-kilometre bike circuit and 10-kilometre run. Australia's Emma Snowsill finished first in 1:49:43.
"I wanted the podium so bad today," said Findlay, "but if someone told me last year I would be fifth at the Grand Final, I would never have believed them."
The Edmonton native finished the swim back behind the leaders in the third group, but on her bike Findlay powered her way back into the race, setting herself up nicely for the running stage.
Findlay told CBC Sports on Friday that she needed a strong showing in the bike portion of Sunday's race to keep herself in contention.
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"I need to have a good swim and get into the front pack on the bike," said the pre-med student at the University of Alberta. "[The course] is pretty touch and go bike-wise, and a little bit confusing with two transition zones, which is not usual for these big races."
After the race, the International Triathlon Union named her the circuit's runner of the year.
"I gave it everything I had," Findlay said, "and when I wasn't able to drop them, I knew I didn't have anything left for the sprint.
"These are the fastest girls in the world and I respect them so much, but I wanted to be on that podium. It was a tough day, but I have to be happy with my season."
Going into Sunday's big race, Findlay had two International Triathlon Union victories. Her first win was in late July in London on the 2012 Olympic course, and thee weeks later she triumphed in Kitzbuehel, Austria.
In August, Findlay polished her position as Triathlon Canada's poster child with a victory at the national championship.
Findlay finishes the season fifth overall in the world standings with 3,016 points. Emma Moffatt from Australia, who finished second on Sunday, is first with 3,806 points.
With files from The Canadian Press
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