By Kent Gray/Triathlon.kiwi
Joel Lange was the best of the Kiwis in the latest Asia Cup race in Malaysia.
The 23-year-old, pictured above racing at the World Triathlon Multisport Championships in Wollongong in August, was 11th on Saturday’s sprint race in Kota Kinabalu. NZL Teammate Christian Davey was close behind in 13th while Aucklander Charlotte Brown, the sole Kiwi in the women’s race, was 12th.
Lange is racing for NZL after spending the past four years in the Triathlon Scotland set-up training out of their national training centre at the University of Stirling.
He won gold (above) in the U23 aquathlon in Wollongong (a year after placing 4th in Ibiza) following a 6th placing in the elite men’s aquathlon.
Saturday’s result was his best at Continental Cup level, eclipsing his 19th at Africa Cup Monastair in September 23 and his European best of 31st in Cork in July.
Brown, meanwhile, was pleased with her start in Kota Kinabalu but didn’t have the legs to match or better her 8th at Asia Cup Hong Kong recently.
“Finally, I put up a swim that I’m pleased with, thanks to a long run into the water and great dolphin diving. But unfortunately, my legs didn’t turn up on the run,” Brown wrote on social media.
“I am incredibly grateful for another opportunity of racing, learning, and exploring. Thank you to everyone who took me under their wing and made this solo traveling a lot more enjoyable and less stressful.
“Thanks to my family and coaches, your support is always appreciated.”
Asia Triathlon Cup Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia)
Sprint: 750m swim, 20.9km bike, 5km run)
1. Jérémy Quindos (UZB) 00:54:39
2. Aleksandr Kurishov (UZB) 00:54:49
3. Oscar Dart (AUS) 00:54:58
Also
11. Joel Lange (NZL) 00:55:42
13. Christian Davey (NZL) 00:55:53
1. Michelle Magnani (USA) 01:00:48
2. Hye Rim Jeong (KOR) 01:01:06
3. Sian Munks (AUS) 01:01:18
Also
12. Charlotte Brown (NZL) 01:04:53
