Langley Wins & Triathletes Shine In Florida
Jackson Langley claimed a first and third place finish in the male category of the Youth Development Race this weekend in Clermont, Florida, with additional notable performances from Bermuda’s team.
A spokesperson said, “Jackson Langley excelled in the male category of the Youth Development Race this weekend with two impressive performances where he claimed first and third place in Clermont, Florida.
“In Saturday’s race, Langley exited the water in ninth position but quickly moved to the front of the bike pack, showing his dominance in the discipline. By the second lap, Langley had dropped his rivals and had a comfortable lead going into the run. Again, Langley had a fast run leg and finished the race over 17 seconds ahead of his nearest rival from Barbados with a time of 31 minutes 38 seconds.
“In a field of over 80 competitors, the young Bermuda team showed they were not outclassed with notable performances from Jacob Wright who finished Saturday’s race in 16th with a time of 35 minutes 29 seconds, Braxton Cooze in 17th in 35 minutes 59 seconds, Rory Shepherd in 23rd in 37 minutes 21 seconds, closely followed by Sanchez Smith in 24th in 37 minutes 24 seconds.
Tallulah Parkinson was Bermuda’s top female in Saturday’s race with a time of 41 minutes 4 seconds in 21st place in the female division, 54th overall.
“On Sunday, Jackson Langley again showed his strength on the bike, moving up seven places after finishing the swim in 11th position, to head out on the run in the top pack. Langley ultimately finished the race in third in a time of 30 minutes 32 seconds, improving on Saturday’s time by over a minute.
“In Sunday’s race, Jacob Wright finished in 18th position in a time of with a time of 34 minutes 27 seconds, Braxton Cooze in 20th in 35 minutes 9 seconds. In the Youth Girls race on Sunday, Ella Shepherd finished 23rd in a time of 40 minutes 5 seconds with Tallulah Parkinson two places behind her in 40 minutes 33 seconds.
“Jackson Langley sadly missed out on CARIFTA triathlon in November due to injury and was delighted to be back racing at his best again.”
He said, “Missing CARIFTA last year due to my crash was a big disappointment so this weekend has felt great. The competition was fierce but our whole team represented Bermuda really well. I want to thank my teammates, my coaches, especially my dad, and my VT Madison cycle teammates who have really been pushing me on the bike.”
Clive Langley, Jackson’s father and one of the National Coaches, said, “I am incredibly proud of Jackson and the whole Bermuda squad. How they have conducted themselves and competed on this much bigger stage is truly commendable. It’s an honour to be a part of the next generation of the sport. There’s much more to come, I am sure.”
National Coach Neil de St Croix said, “The growth and development of the latest wave of young triathletes in Bermuda is inspiring. The weekend has been a huge success and on a regional level, to see three young men from the CARIFTA group placing in the top ten was truly amazing.”
The spokesperson said, “Fourteen Bermuda athletes travelled to Clermont, Florida to take part in the Clermont Draft Legal Challenge, one of the premier youth triathlon events in the United States. All the Bermuda athletes took part in the Youth Development Race, a 375 meter swim, 10k bike and 2.5k run.
“The team comprises Lucas Bhule, Makao Butterfield, Braxton Cooze, Jens Drea, Jackson Langley, Jasper Lau, Jamie Macfarlane, Tallulah Parkinson, Gordon Smith, Sanchez Smith. Ella Shepherd, Rory Shepherd, Dominic Wright and Jacob Wright.”
