Already in the morning the atmosphere was great at Qing Long Lake despite low temperatures: Following the pros 1,600 age-group athletes entered the lake and made the water boil. Pro athletes were fighting hard for the best positions. Ricarda Lisk exited the lake in one of the first groups behind the leading athletes and started chasing the leaders on her STEVENS Super Trofeo together with Caroline Steffen and Felicity Sheedy-Ryan.

Distances remained almost the same on the challenging 40 kilometer bike course. It led the athletes through the backcountry, some villages of Fengtai and up to Qian Ling Mountain.
The fight for the podium positions was decided during the final run leg over 10.3 kilometers through the Garden Expo area with its 606 steps leading up to the temple. Lisk managed to secure the sixth place in 2:12:53 hours. Lauren Goss (USA) won ahead of Radka Vodickova (CZ) and Felicity Sheedy-Ryan (AUS).

‟Unfortunately the race was quite tough today. I did not have good legs. After all I already lost the race in the swim part, I could not reduce the gap“, Lisk said after the race.

Apart from this the race had been a great event, nevertheless: ‟It is incredible how many locals have meanwhile come to take part and how many cheer for us even in remote villages. This development of triathlon in China is very nice to witness.“

Ricarda Lisk’s next race will be on October 3, at Lila Logistik Charity Bike Cup in Marbach am Neckar. For the seasons finale she will fly to Mexico where she will participate in Ironman 70.3 Los Cabos on October 25.