NEWS

Guatape pre-race press conference highlights

By Paula Kim | 09 Sep, 2012

Fifty athletes from 13 countries will participate in the 2012 Guatape ITU Triathlon World Cup on Sunday in Colombia. 

At the event’s pre-race press conference on Saturday, Great Britain’s Jodie Stimpson admitted she was really surprised of the beauty of the city of Guatape and intends to return in 2013.

U.S. Olympian Manuel Huerta spoke of the difficulty of the course, saying the long hills will be good for the Colombian athletes but he’s really pleased to be in Guatape and is certain the public will see and spectacular event on Sunday.

Carolina Grimaldo and Hernan Dario Rubiano, both from Colombia, gave a warm welcome to the athletes of the 13 countries who came to their country. Carolina said that she was sure the athletes will enjoy the spectacular view of the course, maybe they will suffer a little, but they will love the view. Hernan encouraged the Guatape residents to watch the race and thanked all the athletes for coming to Colombia.

ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado thanked the city and local organising committee for the hospitality, in this her first visit to Colombia and Guatape. Casado is impressed with the beauty of Guatape and said the most important part is the hospitality, because that is what the athletes will keep in their memories and will inspire them to return for the next year. Casado also spoke of the importance of countries like Colombia hosting a World Cup to help increase the number and the level of the athletes of the host country.  As a result, she hopes to see a lot more athletes from Guatape at ITU events.

Also present at the press conference were Pedro Chirino, President of the Colombian Triathlon Federation, José Luis Echeverri, member of the Colombian Olympic Committee and Jose Fernando Espinoza, member of the organizing Committee of the 2012 Guatape ITU Triathlon World Cup.

TV Antioquia will carry a live stream of the event at their web page www.teleantioquia.com.co.

The women’s race will begin at 7:30am local time on Sunday 9 September. The men will take off at 10:30am.

Related Event: 2012 Guatape ITU Triathlon World Cup
09 Sep, 2012 • event pageall results
Results: Elite Women
1. Jodie Stimpson GBR 02:12:21
2. Maria Czesnik POL 02:17:15
3. Paola Diaz MEX 02:20:42
4. Alia Cardinale Villalobos CRC 02:22:40
5. Maira Alejandra Vargas COL 02:23:04
6. Victoria Perez VEN 02:23:35
7. Militza Rios PUR 02:25:06
8. Lina Maria Raga COL 02:25:27
9. Carolina Grimaldo COL 02:27:50
10. Favia Diaz CHI 02:28:42
Results: Elite Men
1. Crisanto Grajales MEX 02:02:14
2. Sergio Sarmiento MEX 02:02:23
3. Manuel Huerta PUR 02:02:24
4. Leonardo Chacon CRC 02:03:37
5. Arturo Garza Heiras MEX 02:04:06
6. Irving Perez MEX 02:05:33
7. Ruben Dario Chavez COL 02:05:38
8. Oscar David Preciado COL 02:06:33
9. Hernan Dario Valero COL 02:06:48
10. Felipe Barraza CHI 02:07:12