By Mike Rowbottom

Helen_Jenkins_Yokohama_September_19_2011September 19 - Helen Jenkins, Britain's newly installed world triathlon champion, found the heat and humidity too much for her in the event at Yokohama that was postponed from April following the effects of the tsunami which hit the Japanese coastline.


Jenkins could only finish sixth in a race that will count towards next season's ITU World Championship Series, but which many felt was a race too far following last weekend's Grand Final in Beijing.

Jenkins clinched the world title for the second time in four years with a second-placed finish at the Grand Final in Beijing last weekend but found the heat and humidity in Japan difficult to cope with.

The race was originally scheduled for April but was postponed because of the devastating effects of the tsunami and the results will count towards next year's series.

"It was a tough day with very hot and humid conditions," said the 27-year-old Welshwoman, whose second place in the Beijing final secured her her second title in the space of four years.

"I had a great swim with Lucy Hall and we had a gap but got caught.

"I felt like I ran well for five kilometres and moved into second place, but the heat got to me and I ended up sixth.

"It's a solid result after everything last weekend."

New Zealander Andrea Hewitt, the winner in Beijing, pushed the pace from the start of the run and Jenkins gradually dropped away from medal contention.

In the men's race there was a breakthrough result for former steeplechaser Adam Bowden, who crossed the line in seventh place just ahead of fellow Briton and former world champion Tim Don.

Bowden, 29, switched from athletics in 2008 through the Trigold scheme, which was set up to encourage athletes from one of the three individual sports to give triathlon a go.

Portugal's Joao Silva won the race in the absence of the sport's top performers, including British brothers Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee, respectively world champion and silver medallist in Beijing.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
September 2011: ITU President visits earthquake-ravaged Tōhoku Region
September 2011: "Inspirational" British triathletes achieve ideal warm-up for London 2012
September 2011: Double joy for Britain as Jenkins clinches world title
May 2011: Clarke criticises timing of ITU World Championship Series Yokohama leg
April 2011: Yokohama stage of triathlon World Series postponed due to nuclear fears