Wilde, Beaugrand Top Fields at Super League Malibu
Men's Race Recap
Hayden Wilde of New Zealand powered away from Leo Bergere of France by a few seconds on the final run lap of the third Stage of the Super League Triathlon at Malibu.
The win was redemption for Wilde who blew his lead at SLT Toulouse a few weeks ago by riding an unnecessary extra lap on the bike, losing three seconds on his series total.
Wilde this earned another SLT individual race by a 3.3 seconds margin over runner-up Leo Bergere of France and with it a 15-point total at Malibu, Aussie Matt Hauser took the bronze, 7.6 seconds arrears, followed by Henri Schoeman of South Africa in fourth, Vasco Vilaca of Portugal (+12.7 seconds) in fifth, Alex Yee of Great Britain (+16.2 seconds) in sixth and reigning Olympic champion Kristian Blummenfelt of Norway (+17.6 seconds) in 7th.
After a win at Toulouse and a second place at Malibu, Leo Berger took the lead in the SLT series points standings with 29. Jonny Brownlee stands second in the series with second places at Toulouse and Malibu for 28. Wilde stands third in the series with a 4th at Toulouse and a win at Malibu.
“Since [the Olympic test event in] Paris, I’ve been on a downward slope with unfortunate mishaps and mistakes on my behalf as well,” Wilde told Super League Triathlon media. “It was really nice to put together a race that I know I’m capable of and I’m stoked to do it here in Malibu. It was great to work with Henri [Schoeman] on the bike and try to secure some points for the Scorpions.”
As close as they are in points, there are many permutations which offer a chance for the series crown available at the final race of the season at NEOM on October 21. In order they are Bergere with 29 points, Brownlee with 28, Wilde with 27, Yee with 26 and Schoeman with 25.
Stage 1
Henri Schoeman won the Stage 1 swim, who rode a wave to secure the first place and a a Short Chute advantage later in the race. On the 3-lap, 3.6-mile bile leg, Frenchman Leo Bergere came from behind to enter T2 first and procure a Short Chute. On the two lap, 1.6-mile run, Hayden Wilde won the top place, followed by Jonny Brownlee in second, and Kristian Blummenfelt in third. Sadly Ben Kanuter of the U.S. fell behind and was an Eliminator victim.
Stage 2
Once again, swim master Schoeman led the swim thanks to a wave that swept him firs5t man to the beach. On the tight and technical bike course, Wilde led early and late, followed 9 seconds later by Schoeman, with Brownlee, Yee and Blummenfelt in mid-pack. On the run, Wilde and Schoeman broke to the lead, ahead of Yee and Brownlee 20 seconds to the back.
Stage 3
The Pursuit start took an early lead by Wilde, but Schoeman passed him at the first buoy. Once again, the South African exited the water first, in front of Wilde and Bergere, with Yee and Blummenfelt 19 seconds adrift. On the final bike leg, Schoeman, Wilde and Bergere formed a lead pack, with Schoeman barely avoiding a crash In the same spot that Summer Rappaport went down hard in the women’s race. With the crash, Schoeman lost five seconds and the opportunity to benefit by the leaders’ slipstream.
The final run came down to a duel between Wilde and Bergere. Wilde made a surgeon the first lap that gapped the Frenchman. Wilde’s lead was 2 seconds at the bell lap and 3 seconds at the finish. Hauser moved into third leaving Schoeman and Vilaca at four and five.
Final Malibu Men’s Results
1 Hayden Wilde NZL 14:31
2 Leo Bergere FRA +3.3s
3 Matt Hauser AUS +7.6s
4 Henri Schoeman RSA +12.7s
5 Vasco Vilaca POR +16.1s
6 Alex Yee GBR +16.2s
7 Kristian Blummenfelt NOR +17.6s
Women's Race Recap
Cassandre Beaugrand made her Super League Triathlon debut by an 8.7 seconds margin over fellow Frenchwoman Emma Lombardi with a strong final run. Beaugrand broke Lombardi on the final run leg, with Jeanne Lehair 12.5 seconds arears in third place. Perhaps tired by her recent great effort to win the WTCS World Championship in Ponte Vedra. Beth Potter took 4th with U.S.A. comeback kid Katie Zaferes in 5th.
“I’m not used to swimming in these waves and I was sick during the first choppy swim of the day,” Beaugrand told World Triathlon media. “It was also a technical bike leg, but it was good work today and I’m happy to bring the points for my Scorpions team.”
Beaugrand’s win was her first at the SLT Championship Series. But third place finisher Lehair moved to the top of the series points chase.
Stage 1
While Beaugrand led the field from the right side of the beach, Luxembourg’s Jeanne Lehair caught a wave and led the whole field into T1. On the three lap bike course, Lehair and Lombardi took a quick lead. Soon thereafter, true Brits Sophie Coldwell, Beth Potter and Kate Waugh joined the front group. Potter led into T2, earning a Short Chute advantage.
The WTCS’s leading runners, Beaugrand and Potter took an early lead with Lehair and Lombardi close on their heels. It was Beaugrand who took the Stage 1 winning the Short Chute advantage.
Stage 2
After the second four-minute break between Stages, Beaugrand led to the first buoy, but Summer Rappaport and Sophie Coldwell led the field into T1 for a record 3:28 Malibu swim time. Coldwell put the power to the metal, on the second 3.6km three-lap bike leg. Brit’s lead was 5.6 seconds lap, but Zaferes reduced it to 4 seconds by the bell, Zaferes and Lombardi fell just 2 seconds back by the end of the bike leg.
Starting the run, Lehair took the lead, followed closely behind Coldwell, Zaferes and Lombardi at the front, 15 seconds ahead of Potter, Beaugrand and Lombardi. Finally, Lombardi led Coldwell and Zaferes to a T2 win with Lehair 3 seconds back with Potter and Beaugrand 9 seconds arrears.
Stage 3
The Pursuit-style start saw Lombardi lead away, 3 seconds ahead of Lehair, 6 seconds clear of Beaugrand, 7 seconds ahead of Potter, and 10 seconds ahead of Coldwell. Lombardi led the swim by 2.4 seconds over Beaugrand, and 11 seconds over Potter and Lehair. On the 3.6k bike, Lombardi and Beaugrand formed a breakaway to make a 12 second gap on the chasers. Unfortunately, Summer Rappaport crashed heavily to end her race.
The final run became a fuel between Lombardi and Beaugrand, each with a Short Chute. Beaugrand soon broke Lombardi and took the Malibu 2023 title with Lehair out sprinting Potter to secure third.
Malibu Women’s Results
1 Casandre Beaugrand FRA 15:53
2 Emma Lombardi FRA +8.7s
3 Jeanne Lehair LUX +12.5s
4 Beth Potter GBR +19.6s
5 Kirsten Kasper USA +25.4s
6 Sophie Coldwell GBR +48.5s
7 Katie Zaferes USA +53.6