Oceania Triathlon

Laura Lindemann was crowned the 2015 Junior Women World Champion for the second year in a row on Friday, giving Germany its fourth medal of the Grand Final week and her back-to-back junior title. Taking up the last two positions on the podium was Taylor Knibb (USA), who earned the silver medal, and Lotte Miller (NOR), who was honoured with the bronze.

Facing off on the sprint distance course, featuring a one-lap 750 metre swim, four-lap 20 kilometre bike and two-lap five kilometre run, the junior women jumped into Lake Michigan for a fast and furious race that showcases the future generation of athletes in the world of triathlon, just as the women’s elite race was finishing up near Buckingham fountain.

Knibb led of out the water and conducted the woman across Lake St. into the first transition with Lindemann right on her heels. The two then brushed through the transition zone and onto the bike almost simultaneously. For the remainder of the four laps, the two joined forces and pushed ahead together, creating a deeper gap each lap.

A chase consisting of Miller, Alberte Kjær Pedersen (DEN), Emily Wagner (CAN) and Tamera Gorman (USA) attempted to narrow the field by working as a foursome, but the strength of Lindemann and Knibb was too mighty to catch. By the time the second transition was approaching, the chase was down by over twenty seconds.

With the extra advantage heading onto the run course, Lindemann and Knibb were able to further expand their lead. However, Lindemann proved to have the fresher legs, and combined with her more experienced speed, she catapulted into the lead - a lead that would carry up until the finish line.

Knibb followed suite and crossed the line 46 seconds later. Miller, who had to overcome her deficit after the bike course, ran herself right into the third place position, capping off the last spot on the podium.

Lindemann won the Junior Women World Championship in 2014, so the victory in Chicago solidified her title as the reigning World Champion for yet another year.