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Saanich triathlete silver at the Canada Summer Games

Saanich’s first medal comes from Hannah Henry in triathlon
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Hannah Henry, left, leads out Holly Henry and Desirae Ridenour on the bike course of the Canada Summer Games triathlon. Richard Ray photo

Hannah Henry can hold her head high as the June graduate from Mount Douglas secondary took silver in the sprint triathlon of the Canada Summer Games.

Desirae Ridenour of Cowichan Bay took gold as she finished about 30 seconds head of Henry in the 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike and 5km run.

“It was definitely hot,” said Henry. “Today’s [hardest part] was the run for me. [Ridenour] set a fast pace and it’s hard to stick with her. [We] managed to motivate each other throughout the run.”

Ridenour confessed it was a tired start on her third straight race weekend, though she clearly fought through the fatigue she felt in the swim to rebound and win gold.

“The volunteers were great, they managed to keep us cool,” Ridenour said.

The two are close friends, as they train together daily in the summer and on weekends during the year, Henry said.

Two weeks ago Ridenour and Henry, a pair of 17-year-old National Development Team athletes, put on a show working together to win the gold and silver medals, respectively, for Canada at the CAMTRI Triathlon Junior American Championships in Magog, Que.

In that race, Henry was just nine seconds back in what Triathlon Canada calls one of the most prestigious races outside the World Championships.

reporter@saanichnews.com

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Saanich triathlete Hannah Henry approaches the run in second place at the Canada Summer Games triathlon in Winnipeg. Richard Ray photo
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It was that hot. Saanich triathlete Hannah Henry soaks herself at the finish line of the Canada Summer Games triathlon in Winnipeg. Richard Ray photo