Flora Duffy is the 2015 Sardegna ITU Cross Triathlon World Elite Female Champion.
Duffy led from start to finish, putting more than three minutes between her and the second place finisher Barbara Riveros from Chile.
Duffy was clocked across the line in a time of 2:25:56, Riveros clocked 2:29:46 and Brigitta Poor from Hungary rounded out the podium with a time of 2:38:10.
Duffy covered the 1.5km Swim in the fastest time of 19:50, she then recorded the fastest 31km off terrain Bike time of 1:26:06 and she also had the fastest 9.6km Cross Country Run time of 38:35.
Duffy commanded the race right off the bat after taking an early lead in the swim. With an advantage of nearly 1:30, she was first to exit the waters. Riveros followed in the second position, with South African Carla Van Huyssteen not far behind.
Struggling through the first transition, Van Hussteen lost time in the zone and was unable to hold onto a top placement.
Putting her strongest discipline to the test, Duffy was able to increase her lead to over two minutes on the bike. Cruising through the mudslinging off road tracks, the Bermudian seemingly remained untouched so far in the competition with only the run left before she was able to secure her crown.
While Duffy worked alone on the bike, Riveros, Poor and Carina Wasle toughed it out together.
Germany’s reigning World Champion Kathrin Müller entered the day in the hopes of reclaiming the title she won in 2014. But after the bike, it looked as if the day would end without any second chances as she trailed by a massive gap of 13 minutes behind Duffy.
It was the run that eventually determined the tough from the tougher. While the trio of Duffy, Riveros and Poor had worked to put themselves into the 1,2,3 positions, it was up to them if they could hold out on the run to grab the podium that they had worked so hard for.
Duffy carried out the fastest run split of the day right into the finish line to secure her the World Championship she was longing for. Riveros also secured the silver after delivering a swift run time, which catapulted her into the respect lines of the multisport world. Using the momentum of the lead she built up from the bike, Poor was able to finish the day in third.
Great Britain’s Jacqueline Slack took fourth place after displaying an impressive ride on the bike.
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