Injury rules Duffy out of World Championships
Duffy, who recently graduated from college in Colorado and is competing full time, was to lead a 24-strong Bermuda contingent to the championships which start today with the sprint event.Duffy’s parents, Charlie and Maria are among the Bermuda group and will compete in the 60-64 age group, along with veteran Steven Petty who has been competing in local and overseas triathlons for more than 30 years.“Unfortunately I will not be racing in London this weekend,” said Duffy from her US base. “Good luck to everyone taking part especially my parents.“I have a stress reaction in my third metatarsal, so not quite a stress fracture but if I continued to run or walk on it then a crack would occur.”Duffy was due to compete in the Elite women’s race tomorrow, the day after her parents take part in the Sprint distance event.Some of the Bermuda triathletes faced a challenge getting to London on Tuesday evening following the cancellation of the British Airways flight because of the approaching Tropical Storm Gabrielle.“Our first athletes will be competing tomorrow (today) morning in the Sprint Distance, and although we had a few travel issues as a result of the BA cancellation on Tuesday night, everyone is now in London and raring to go,” said official Tim Goodyer, who is also one of the competitors.Included in the 17 local male participants are Tucker Murphy, Jonathan Herring, Adam Hopkin and Neil de Ste Croix while the women’s group includes Laurie Orchard, Belinda Castree, Deanna Didyk and Laura Norman.“Steven Petty, one of our founding members, has combined his sprint training with longer distance training for a half Ironman in Miami at the end of October, so we are expecting a strong performance from him,” said Goodyear.“Neil de Ste Croix, a former BTA president, will also be looking to have a good race in the men’s 45 to 49 age group. In total we have six local athletes competing in the Sprint — Charlie Duffy, Maria Duffy, Neil de St Croix, Steven Petty, Matthew Claridge and Carolyn Conway.”The majority of the Bermuda triathletes will competing in the Olympic distance event on Sunday. Laurie Orchard has had an outstanding year and backed up her bronze medal at the Island Games with an outstanding performance to finish sixth in her age group in the World Duathlon Championships in Ottawa recently. Tucker Murphy had a superb race at the Island Games to finish sixth overall.The full Bermuda party: Men: Steven Petty (60-64) sprint; Tucker Murphy (30-34) Olympic; Mark Wilcox (45-49) Olympic; Jonathan Herring (30-34) Olympic; Adam Hopkin (35-39) Olympic; Timothy Goodyer (35-39) Olympic; Ian Henderson (30-34) Olympic; Mark Booth (40-44) Olympic; Dennis Fagundo (35-39) Olympic; Charles Duffy (60-64) Sprint; Geoff Smith (45-49) Olympic; Matthew Thompson (40-44) Olympic; Duncan Scott (50-54) Olympic; Russell Burgess (35-39) Olympic; Barry Murphy (30-34) Olympic; Matthew Claridge (30-34) Sprint; Neil de St Croix (45-49) Sprint. Women: Flora Duffy (Pro) Olympic; Deanna Didyk (40-44) Olympic; Laurie Orchard (40-44) Olympic; Belinda Castree (35-39) Olympic; Laura Norman (20-24) Olympic; Maria Duffy (60-64) Sprint; Carolyn Conway (55-59) Sprint.