Morrison earns runners-up spot in Portugal

Aileen Morrison’s progress in Olympic year has continued with a gutsy second-placed finish at the opening European Cup triathlon event in the Portuguese town of Quarteira.

Morrison had been languishing in seventh, over a minute behind leader Carole Peon of France following the cycle - the middle element of the three - but fought her way back up the field to claim a creditable podium place.

The Irish triathlete overtook Peon in the final stages, having already overtaken four other athletes during the running section, clocking a run 1 minute 19 seconds faster than Peon.

However, Spaniard Ainhoa Murua took the honours by crossing the finishing line 26 seconds ahead of Morrison, who was in turn 16 seconds clear of Peon.

The Irishwoman clocked the fastest run, 36 seconds faster than Murua, but Morrison had lost time early on by being tenth out of the water, half a minute behind early leader Carolina Routier after the 1500m swim, and was only 15th fastest on the 40km cycle.

But on her feet in the 10km run, Morrison was quicker than the rest – and tellingly, lost the least amount of time in transition, transferring between the three disciplines.

Morrison was lying eleventh in the ITU Olympic Qualifying Rankings before the event in Portugal, with the top sixty in the ratings going through to the Olympic Games.

The European Championship Triathlon takes place in Eilat, Israel in April.

Result:

1 Ainhoa Munua ESP 2:03:01

2 Aileen Morrison IRL 2:03:27

3 Carole Peon FRA 2:03:43

4 Irina Abysova RUS 2:04:26

5 Katrien Verstuyft BEL 2:04:31