Canadian athlete Sophia Howell clinched her first spot on the podium at the World Triathlon Cup on Sunday with a third-place finish in the sprint-distance event. Hailing from Airdrie, Alberta, Howell completed the 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike ride, and five-kilometer run in an impressive time of one hour, one minute, and 12 seconds in San Pedro de la Paz, Chile. Expressing her excitement, the 23-year-old stated, “I’m so thrilled. I didn’t anticipate this today, so I’m absolutely ecstatic.”
Howell trailed Jeanne Lehair from Luxembourg by a mere three seconds and the champion, Miriam Casillas Garcia from Spain, by nine seconds. Emy Legault from L’Ile Perrot, Quebec, secured the 12th position in the competition. Meanwhile, in the men’s category, Martin Sobey from Charlottetown emerged as the top Canadian, finishing in 14th place.
