WOLLONGONG, Aus.—Sophia Howell was the lone Canadian to crack the top 10 on the opening day of the 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals in Wollongong, Australia, on Thursday.
The 23-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., just north of Calgary, mixed it up with the fastest athletes in the U23 category to finish in 10th place with a time of 1:58:37.
“It wasn’t what I wanted but I fought to the end,” said Howell after battling the high surf and heavy winds. “I had a good start to the swim, but the first lap was pretty bad. I got pretty beat up. I managed to get out of the water in the top three and got onto the bike with three girls. We opened a 15 second gap in that first lap until we knew the large group would catch us.”
Howell, who is racing in her first year on the elite World Triathlon Championship Series circuit, settled into a large pack on the bike for the next seven laps which included navigating tight turns and a gnarly hill.
“I just wanted to stay safe in the corners with the wind, trying to get as low as possible, get a good draft and position myself well for the run,” added Howell.
She did just that, coming out of second transition in fifth spot where she ran with a group of seven girls for the first half of the 10-kilometre run course.
“On the run I felt pretty good in the first two laps and then I hit a wall,” she added. “I was disappointed, but it was what I was able to do on the day, so I’m just gonna learn from this and move on.”
Australia’s Richelle Hill won an epic sprint finish to take the gold medal with a time of 1:56:58 in the Olympic distance test. Italy’s Angelica Prestia was forced to settle for second at 1:57:00, while Hungary’s Angelica Prestia was third at 1:57:03.
Montreal’s Isla Britton was happy with her 21st place finish at the premier event on the World Triathlon calendar. Britton clocked in at 2:01:09.
“It was a mixed race today. I had the swim of my life. It was the first time I swam front pack and to do it at World Champs is pretty cool,” said Britton. “The bike was awesome. I love the course. It was pretty technical. The girls road well and it was hard. I got myself into a position to run well, but my quads had other ideas on the hilly course. It was a bit of a struggle to get to the finish but overall, I’m happy with my race.”
Regina’s Molly Lakustiak also cracked the top 25, placing 24th with a time of 2:01:39. Vancouver’s Sidney Clement was 29th at 2:02:5, while Kira Gupta Baltazar (Kleinburg, Ont.) did not finish.
Victoria’s Daniel Damian was the top Canadian in the men’s under 23 race. After coming out of second transition in 29th spot, Damian steadily worked his way through the field.
“It was a very tough swim. I didn’t have a great start, but I made up some places in the second lap of the swim and then just started picking off people from there,” said Damian of his first World Championships. “The bike was all about positioning and staying out of danger while trying to push the pace a little. Hopefully I can build on this experience.”
Blake Harris (Sanford, Man.) crossed the line in 43rd spot at 1:52:50. Quebec City’s Mathis Beaulieu was hunting down Canada’s first medal of the week racing well out front in the lead pack on the bike until he got tangled up in the group midway through the 40-kilometre test and crashed to the pavement.
“I was feeling really strong and was ready for this race. I had one of my best swims and was in the front pack with 12 guys. We had a decent lead, and I know I was one of the best runners in that group, so I was feeling really strong. Unfortunately, I crashed, but that is part of the game,” said Beaulieu. “I’m proud of myself. Today, I showed I’m not only a good runner, but a good swimmer and biker too. I’m really proud of the work I’ve done and the consistency I’ve shown this year. I’ll be back next year.”
Oliver Conway, of Great Britain, captured the World Championship crown with a time of 1:42:54. Hungary’s Marton Kropko was second at 1:44:33, while Italy’s Euan De Nigro rounded out the men’s U23 podium with a time of 1:44:46.
The Junior World Championship races are slated for Friday in Australia.
