Six superb semis set up mouth-watering finals day in Tiszaujvaros

On a balmy Saturday afternoon in Tiszaujvaros, six sprint triathlons – three women’s and three men’s – filled the streets of Hungary’s home of triathlon, to decide the names that would compete in Sunday’s finals, and it was Australia’s Emma Jeffcoat who set the pace from the off. Leading all the way from the first strokes of the first swim, Jeffcoat set the fastest time of all three women’s semis to win in 59:07, ahead of home favourite Zsofia Kovacs, who will be desperately keen for a first Tiszy podium finish, and Germany’s Anabel Knoll.

Zsanett Bragmeyer also qualified for the hosts, finishing third behind Italy’s Ilaria Zane and Poland’s Roksana Slupek in semi-final three. That was after an imperious display from Sophie Coldwell (GBR), Taylor Knibb (USA) and Melanie Santos (POR) saw the trio cross the line together well ahead of a chasing pack that included Japan’s experienced Juri Ide and Spain’s Anna Godoy Contreras.

In the first of the three men’s races of the day, it was Aurelien Raphael (FRA) and Dmitry Polyanskiy (RUS) - winner here in 2016 - who were once again fastest in the swim, but Hungary’s Tamas Toth delivered a brilliant bike ride and solid run to cross the line with the Russian, Brazil’s Manoel Messias and Mexico’s Rodrigo Gonzalez also among the qualifiers.

Another Hungarian, 2017 Tiszy World Cup winner Bence Bicsak, took control of the second men’s semi, one which saw Anthony Pujades of France and GB’s Chris Perham also deliver assured performances on route to a final.

The day’s biggest thrills were saved for last, however, as half the field from semi-final three poured out of T2 as one. It was Canada’s powerful Matthew Sharpe who was able to keep his nose ahead of the pack, Switzerland’s Fridelance and Faldum of Hungary also securing all-important top-nine places in a frantic dash for the line.

All of the day’s semi-final results can be seen here.
See the line-ups for Sunday’s finals here.