Chile’s Barbara Riveros makes triathlon history in New Zealand

TAKAPUNA, NEW ZEALAND – Not even a photo finish could separate the difference between Chile’s Barbara Riveros and New Zealand’s Nicky Samuels in the “Contact Tri Series” event in New Zealand. It was the first time a tie had ever occurred within the five year history of the series. Samuels held the lead at the beginning of the final run leg, however the Chilean closed the gap and moved into the lead midway through the course, but in the final one hundred meters, the New Zealand surged to see them cross the line together.

Chilean Triathlete Barbara Riveros. Photo: Muaricio Palma, ADO

Riveros is currently ranked number five in the world, and has been preparing for her second Olympic campaign, training at the facilities of the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia. She will be hoping to improve on her 25th  from the Beijing Olympics. At the 2011 Pan American Games, Riveros managed a silver, while she dedicated her gold medal performance in the 2010 South American Games to the whole country of Chile, after the devastating February 27 earthquake.

Riveros currently stands in 4th place in terms of the Olympic Qualification, with her qualification virtually guaranteed. Her next race will be in Mooloolaba, Australia on March 24. The Olympic race will take place in the surrounds of Hyde Park. Most of the places will be assigned according to world rankings as of May 31st.

Barbara Riveros came through the ranks of the Universidad Católica sporting system and studied nutrition at Universidad de Chile. She is currently based in Canberra and coached by Darren Smith. The Australian coach has a number of top athletes from around the world in his squad, including Lisa Norden (Sweden) and Sarah Groff (USA).

The triathlon event was introduced at the Sydney Olympics and Australia has consistently produced some of the best triathletes in the world, so it makes perfect sense to be training with the best in the sport, and the positive results are already showing.