BBC SPORT | Wales | Cave clinches world title

Welsh triathlete Leanda Cave found the perfect ending to an outstanding year by claiming the world title on Sunday.

Cave had won silver medals in this year's European Championships and Commonwealth Games - but she defied the blistering heat and high humidity in Mexico to clinch gold.

Commonwealth silver for Cave

Her time of two hours, one minute and 31 seconds gave Cave a 10 second winning margin over USA's Barb Lindquist.

This is something I've been trying to accomplish all season

Leanda Cave

Michelle Dillon of England added to the British glory by claiming bronze in 2:02:11.

Cave produced a glorious last lap in the final discipline - the 10-kilometre run - to pull away from American Barb Lindquist with only 100m of the race remaining.

She had followed Lindquist's every stride on the run before sprinting past her rival with the finishing line in sight.

"I was really pleased with my start, and pleased to get out of the swim with the lead pack of girls," said Cave.

"This is something I've been trying to accomplish all season."

Andrew Johns finished third in the men's event
Cave finished the 1.5km swim phase in 20mins 4secs, and clocked a time of 1:01:10 in the 40km cycle stage.

The performances of both Cave and Dillon left British triathlon coach Norman Brook with much satisfaction.

He said: "This win is a tribute to the World Class Programme which supports the triathletes to fulfil their potential at international level."

In the men's event, Britain's Andrew Johns finished third behind winner Ivan Rana of Spain and defending champion Peter Robertson of Australia.


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