By Mike Rowbottom

Aaron_HarrisJanuary 11 - Britain's young triathletes rose to the first challenge of the year at the Vina del Mar ITU Triathlon Pan American Cup with Aaron Harris (pictured) and Matt Sharp taking gold and silver respectively in an event which contributes Olympic qualification points to the national cause.


Harris produced a winning time of 1 hour 47min 33sec, and Sharp was less than a minute behind in 1:48.

Both athletes are part of British Triathlon's Loughborough-based World Class Development squad supported by UK Sport Lottery funding and will be delighted with the one-two finish.

The sole British female athlete, Abbie Thorrington, also made her mark, taking second place in 2:08:53.

The 23-year-old athlete is an affiliate member of the World Class Programme and finished behind Danne Boterenbrood of the Nederland's who won with a time of 2:06:13.

The two other members of the World Class Development squad currently touring and racing in Chile were Adam Bowden, who finished ninth, and Mark Threlfall, who was 20th.

Marc Jenkins and Harry Wiltshire, also part of the British group in Chile, finished fifth and sixth respectively.

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