HOSTS MISS TO SWISS
Brigitte McMahon of Switzerland crosses the finish line in Sydney Harbor to capture the gold medal in the women's triathlon. Picture: Robert Bukaty - AP
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Brigitte McMahon of Switzerland disappointed her hosts when she won a dramatic victory in the women's triathlon, a sport that made a very successful Olympic debut.
The huge crowd that flocked to Sydney Harbour were denied the home gold they were hoping for when McMahon held off the challenge of Australia's Michellie Jones in the event's closing 10km run to finish five metres clear of her rival. Switzerland also took bronze when Magali Messmer, clutching two Swiss flags, came in third, seconds behind Jones.
The triathlon, which consists of a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle run and 10km run, did not prove too kind to British competitors. Sian Brice crashed on the third lap of the cycling event when she collided with Canada's Carol Montomery, one of the favourites, and Michelle Dillon also had to pull out when her handlebars broke. Stephanie Forrester salvaged some pride for Britain, though, when she finished the event in 15th place. She could have done better but for a silly error which may have cost her up to a minute. The problem came n the changeover between the swimming and cycling stage. Forrester had failed to zip up her wetsuit sufficiently and couldn’t reach the zip.
McMahon, who finished second to Jones in the World Cup event held on the same course in April, completed the exhausting and dangerous - divers armed with special electrical impulse devices patrolled Sydney harbour to ward off sharks for the swimming leg around Farm Cove - race in 2hr 40.56sec.
"When I got to that last turn and saw it was just Michellie and me I thought 'first or second I can’t lost' but then tried to push it as hard as I could," said McMahon.
PAT BUTCHER
Sunday Times
