Canadian triathlete Sidney Clement delivered a breakthrough international performance on Friday, capturing bronze in the women’s U23 race at the World Triathlon Championships Grand Final in Pontevedra, Spain.
The 21-year-old from West Vancouver completed the demanding swim-bike-run event in 2:01:06, becoming just the sixth Canadian woman to reach the U23 podium at the World Triathlon Championships. Her result also marked Canada’s first medal in the women’s U23 category since 2013.
“I’m over the moon with my race today. Podiuming at a World Championships is a dream come true for me,” said Clement. “I never thought it would happen. I just can’t believe it.”
Clement Recovers After Difficult Opening Swim
Clement’s medal-winning performance developed gradually across the 1.5-kilometre swim, 40-kilometre bike and 10-kilometre run.
She emerged from the swim in 10th position after overcoming difficulties during the opening lap, keeping herself within striking distance of the leaders heading into the cycling portion.
“I had a rough first lap of the swim, but I told myself before the race that anything can happen, it’s a long race and if something goes poorly to keep believing until the end,” said Clament. “Heading into the second lap I knew I had work to do. I was able to move up a lot in second lap.”
Clement then joined a large chase group on the bike and navigated Pontevedra’s technical course while maintaining contact with the athletes competing for the leading positions.
Strong Bike Leg Sets Up Podium Challenge
By the second transition, Clement was sitting ninth and positioned to make her strongest move of the competition during the run.
“I just made that front bike pack. The girls were working well together, and I did what I could do to contribute,” she said. “Off the bike, the first few steps of the run felt wobblily, but I quickly got into a rhythm.”
Clement quickly advanced through the field during the 10-kilometre run. She eventually found herself competing with Great Britain’s Bethany Cook for the final podium position before breaking clear to take third.
She also held off a late push from top-seeded American Naomi Ruff, who had climbed from 26th place coming out of the second transition into the top five.
“I just tried not to think about what was happening and tried to stay focused, relax and within myself,” added Clement.
France Takes Gold and Silver in Women’s U23 Race
France secured the top two positions, with Ilona Hadhoum winning the U23 world championship in 1:58:11 and teammate Lea Houart claiming silver in 1:59:26.
Hadhoum established herself near the front during the cycling leg before producing a fast 10-kilometre run to secure the world title.
Clement, meanwhile, emerged from an 11-athlete battle on the bike before using her run to secure Canada’s place on the podium.
“This is just a dream come true. I just can’t think everyone in my corner enough, especially my coaches and teammates at Arizona State who make training so much fun, and we push each other every day,” added Clement, whose family was also on-site in Pontevedra on Friday. “I can’t thank my family, my parents enough. They are my biggest supporters and I’m super excited to celebrate with them. I’m just so grateful to have the opportunity to be racing the best girls in the world. Huge congrats goes to those two front girls who were in a league of their own today.”
Clement Joins Small Group of Canadian U23 Medallists
The bronze places Clement alongside five previous Canadian women who have reached the U23 World Triathlon Championships podium.
Ellen Pennock won silver in 2013, while Amélie Kretz claimed bronze the same year. Joanna Brown earned bronze in 2012, Kirsten Sweetland won silver in 2010 and Paula Findlay captured bronze in 2009.
Canada also posted several other top-40 results in Pontevedra. Montreal’s Isla Britton finished 12th in 2:02:28, followed by Maira Carreau of Montreal in 15th at 2:02:49. Alexandra Campbell of Kingston, Ont., placed 19th in 2:03:15, while Candiac, Que.’s Beatrice Filion finished 36th in 2:06:45.
In the men’s U23 event, Blake Harris of Sanford, Man., was Canada’s top finisher, placing 48th in 1:52:37. Lukas Vadeika of Mount Albert, Ont., finished 57th in 1:57:43.
Canadian Para Triathletes Compete in Pontevedra
Canadian athletes were also in action in the Para races earlier in the day.
Paris 2024 Paralympic bronze medallist Leanne Taylor of Oak Bluff, Man., placed fifth in the women’s wheelchair category with a time of 1:16:21.
Two-time Paralympic medallist and six-time world champion Stefan Daniel of Calgary finished sixth in the men’s standing classification in 1:01:28. Margot Wehrle of Victoria and guide Elani Bykowski of Lethbridge, Alta., placed eighth in the women’s visually impaired classification.
Clement’s bronze ultimately highlighted Canada’s day in Pontevedra, adding another U23 World Championship medal to the country’s triathlon record and delivering Canada’s first women’s U23 podium finish at the event in 13 years.