Wollongong endurance athlete Ben Allen admitted “it hurts deep” after finishing fourth at the ITU muti-sport festival triathlon in Canada on Thursday.
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Australia claimed three gold, one silver and two bronze medals at the cross triathlon world championships. Gold went to Penny Slater (ACT) in the under 23 women, Alec Davison (WA) in the junior men and Tim Lane from Newcastle in the 45-49 age group.
But there was agony for Allen in the elite men’s division, after coming so close to the podium, finishing fourth after believing he had taken the bronze.
New Zealand’s Kyle Smith was awarded the bronze as well as the gold medal in the under 23 division.
“After believing I had bronze sewn up, my smiles turned to heartbreak after finishing fourth,” he said.
“But it is what it is … it hurts deep, but in time it will be fuel for a fire ready to unleash.”
The 32-year-old has competed in ironman, long distance and off-road triathlon events.