CHENGDU, China -- USA Triathlon National Team member Summer Cook broke away from the field on the run to win Saturday's Chengdu ITU World Cup, her first career ITU World Cup victory.
Summer Cook posted the top time on Saturday in Chengdu, China. (Janos M Schmidt/ITU)
Cook (Thornton, Colo.) clocked in at 2 hours, 6 seconds on the 1,500-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike, 10-kilometer run course, topping the podium by nearly 40 seconds. The win marks the first ITU World Cup title for Cook, whose previous best was a silver medal at an ITU World Cup in Tongyeong, South Korea, last fall. Belgium's Claire Michel was second in 2:00:42, and Lisa Perterer of Austria was third in 2:01:02.
Cook led the way from start to finish, posting the fastest swim split and riding in the lead group on the bike over 40 kilometers. While the lead bike group swelled to 36 athletes after the midway point, Cook was well positioned at the second transition to take an early lead on the run. A graduate of the USA Triathlon Collegiate Recruitment Program and former collegiate runner at Villanova, Cook posted the fastest run split by nearly 50 seconds to take the tape.
"It really validates the work I put in over the winter. Today was the first time I was able to execute some of the things I've been working on. I'm really happy that I was able to back that up with my best result ever," Cook said. "I was really confident in my run training and my run fitness coming in, and I just wanted to just go out and give myself the best opportunity to have my best result to date."
In the men's race, Jason West (State College, Pa.) posted his best career result in an ITU World Cup, finishing in 19th. Mexico's Rodrigo Gonzalez took the win in 1:49:03.
Chengdu ITU World Cup
1,500m swim, 40k bike, 10k run
Elite Women - Complete Results
1. Summer Cook (Thornton, Colo.), 2:00:06
2. Claire Michel (BEL), 2:00:42
3. Lisa Perterer (AUT), 2:01:02
Elite Men - Complete Results
1. Rodrigo Gonzales (MEX), 1:49:03
2. Rostyslav Pevtsov (AZE), 1:49:29
3. Marten Van Riel (BEL), 1:49:33
U.S. Finishers
19. Jason West (State College, Pa.), 1:50:34
40. Eli Hemming (Kiowa, Colo.), 1:52:38
| About USA Triathlon
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 races and connects with nearly 500,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work with athletes, coaches and race directors on the grassroots level, USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the ITU and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).
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