Abu Dhabi Triathlon: Frederik van Lierde and Melissa Hauschildt clinch men's and women's titles

ABU DHABI // Frederik van Lierde and Melissa Hauschildt emerged triumphant in the men's and women's elite category at the finish line in the fourth edition of the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon (ADIT) today.

More than 2,000 athletes took part in the gruelling course from the Corniche to Yas Island and back, vying for a pot of US$230,000 (Dh845,000) – the richest prize money in the sport.

Both champions took away the winner's cheque of US$50,000. Van Lierde of Belgium was the 2011 ADIT champion, too. Hauschildt, who missed out on the title last year by 30 seconds but was adjudged Female Triathlete of the Year in 2012, lived up to her growing reputation in only her second year in the sport.

Alistair Brownlee, the current Olympic champion, made a winning debut in the short course on the Abu Dhabi route despite missing a turn which he put to 'navigational error' later on his Twitter page.

The 2012 women's champion Nikki Butterfield, now a mother of two, pulled outmidway from the bike segment citing cramps in the abductor muscles.

More to follow...

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