By PAUL MILLAR
TWO Geelong training partners have taken out gold and silver in the World Triathlon Sprint Championships in Chicago.
It was stunning effort with their locally-based coach making it a trifecta, claiming a bronze title in his age group.
Kate Bramley and Shari-Ann Livingston claimed first and second, respectively in the 25 to 29-year-old age group with gritty efforts to earn their medals.
The athletes had some vocal support as they crossed the line with the green and gold of Australia prominent in the crowd.
An elated Livingston said it had been an amazing experience for both of them.
“We have trained together for so long and still can’t believe we got gold and silver,” Livingston told the Independent.
“We are great training partners and our coach Stephane Vander Bruggen has supported us and got us to this level through all his hard work, taking us to Bali to train and guiding us in exactly what we have to do,” Livingston said.
“It is hard finishing the Australian season, then to continue training all through winter to be in peak condition for a world championship in September.
“We will have a small break now, but we will be ready again for the Australian season and Gatorade series that starts in November,” Livingston said.
“I couldn’t achieve a result like this without my amazing coach, who is more than just a coach and my team-mate and biggest competition, Kate Bramley, who won gold.
“Thanks for pushing me in every race and training session,” she said.
Belgian-born Vander Bruggen more than shared in the glory of his charges, earning the bronze medal in the male 35 to 39-year-old category.
