San Pedro de la Paz, Chile — Canada’s Sophia Howell celebrated a career milestone on Sunday, capturing her first-ever World Triathlon Cup podium with a bronze medal finish in the sprint-distance race in San Pedro de la Paz, Chile.
The 23-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., delivered a strong all-around performance, crossing the finish line one hour, one minute, and 12 seconds (1:01:12).
“I’m so excited. I didn’t expect this today so I’m over the moon,” said Howell. “I’m super excited to finish a long season with so many ups and downs on a good note.”
Competing over a 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike, and 5-kilometre run, Howell positioned herself among the leaders from the start.
She emerged from the water in third place, then surged to the front of the field during the bike leg, where she led the pack into second transition.
Exiting T2 just one second behind the leader, Howell held her composure throughout the final run leg where she pulled away from the field with Spain’s Miriam Casillas García. The two ran stride-for-stride until the final kilometre when the Spainiard dropped the Canuck.
Howell ran for her life until she hit the blue carpet when she and Casillas Garcia were both forced to serve 10-second penalties for dismount line violations coming off the bike.
Howell was still able to secure the bronze medal and her first podium on the World Triathlon Cup circuit.
“Unfortunately, I had a bit of confusion at the dismount line and got a penalty which cost me second place in the end. I saw on the first lap (of the run) I had the penalty. I was going to serve it at the end, and I did just as I was getting ready to sprint the last 50 metres,” said Howell. “I was hurting at the end when Miriam was putting some time into me. I was pretty worried but as soon as I was finished with the penalty I knew I had some time and would be okay.
“I was really happy with my run that kept me in podium contention until the end of the race.”
Spain’s Miriam Casillas García claimed the gold with a time of 1:01:03, while Jeanne Lehair of Luxembourg took silver in 1:01:09.
The result marks another promising step forward for the young Canadian, who continues to build experience and momentum on the international triathlon circuit.
Canada’s Emy Legault (L’Île Perrot, Que.), who represented Canada at the 2024 Olympic Games, was 12th at 1:02:22.
Martin Sobey (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) was tops in the men’s race, placing 14th at 55:21. Blake Harris (Sanford, Man.) was 44th; Liam Donnelly (Campbellville, Ont.), was 47th at 57:55; Victoria’s Clayton Hutchins was 48th at 57:56; and Pavlos Antoniades (Trois-Rivières, Que.) placed 54th at 59:38.
Complete World Triathlon Cup San Pedro Results
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