Nice return for Baker

Press, 26 September 1988, Page 36

Nice return for Baker

Erin Baker made a successful return to the world half distance triathlon in Nice, after her dubious disqualification in 1986, to win the title and slash 21 minutes off the record yesterday. Baker poured on a brilliant performance to finish eleventh over-all in 6hr 27min. She was undaunted by the extra kilometre which was incorporated in the swim and still finished within the 6:48 record. Baker was disqualified from the event in 1986 after accepting a drink from the sideline. Baker was greeted warmly by spectators and officials this year and put the pressure on the leaders in the field of 760 competitors. Baker has been slotting in 45min behind the overall winners in fields of this size. But she hit outstanding form yesterday and finished only 22min behind Rob Barrel of the Netherlands won the men’s section. She was 45min ahead of her nearest competitor in the women’s section. Jan Wauklyn, of Australia, could only manage 7hr 12min against the indomitable might of Baker. The next three competitors in the women’s field finished within two seconds of each other, highlighting Baker’s strength. John Hellemans, Baker’s coach, has been anticipating that his charge would break through her time barrier and his prediction appears to be coming to fruition. Baker’s clear superiority could not be questioned over the 4km swim, 120 km bicycle ride and the 32km run. She finished it in fifth position overall. She completed this section in 2hr 3min.

Results.— Men: Rob Barrel (Netherlands), 6hr smin, 1; Scott Molina (United States), 6:5.36, 2; Scott Tinley (United States), 6:12, 3; Yves Cordier (France), 4. Women: Baker (New Zealand), 6:27, 1; Wauklyn, 7:12, 2; Sarah Coup (England), 7:14, 3; Colleen Cannon (United States), 7:15, 4. • Inside sport: Pages 21-28