WEIHAI, Chn—Canada’s Desirae Ridenour continued her breakthrough season with her first top-10 finish in World Triathlon Championship Series racing on Friday in Weihai, China.
The 25-year-old battled to eighth spot in her first Olympic distance test, completing all three legs in a time of 1:53:21.
Ridenour, who burst into the 2025 season when she became the first Canadian in more than 10 years to win a World Cup triathlon, has never looked back turning in strong performances throughout the summer months.
That was no different on Friday in China. The Cowichan Bay resident was rock solid throughout the three-sport discipline test.
Seventh out of the 1.5-kilometre swim, Ridenour charged to the front of the pack where she remained throughout the eight lap ride on the Weihai streets.
Ridenour was third to hop off the bike into second transition, and wasted no time making her mark on the run. The soft-spoken Canuck charged onto the 10-kilometre run where she was leading the race for the first of the 10-kilometre race.
When the dust finally settled at the finish line, it was Great Britain’s Beth Potter breaking the tape in a time of 1:51:59. Germany’s Lisa Tertsch was second at 1:52:15, while Tanja Neubert – also of Germany – placed third at 1:52:19.
Two other Canadian women also matched strides with the world’s best in China. Sophia Howell, of Airdrie, Alta., locked up the final spot in the top-15 with a time of 1:54:47. Olympian Emy Legault (L’Île Perrot, Que.) was 17th at 1:55:30.
Martin Sobey also enjoyed a strong day for the Canadian men. The Charlottetown, P.E.I, resident took advantage of a solid run to claim 16th spot with a time of 1:41:58.
Switzerland’s Max Studer won the men’s race with a time of 1:40:03. Germany’s Henry Graf was second at 1:40:27, while American John Reed rounded out the men’s podium with a bronze-medal time of 1:40:35.
Ontario’s Liam Donnelly was 35th at 1:46:26.
