GEORGIA Taylor-Brown marked her belated Commonwealth Games debut with a silver medal but will hope to turn it into gold this weekend.
The Tameside triathlete finished runner-up in the women’s race at Birmingham 2022 but still declared herself “super happy.”
And as she did at Tokyo 2020 last year Taylor-Brown, 28, from Droylsden, will try and add to her individual success in the mixed relay race on Sunday-subject to selection.
The former Fairfield High School pupil crossed the line 41 seconds adrift of Flora Duffy in 56 minutes 06 seconds, her Bermudian rival proving too strong on the run-the last of the three disciplines. Scotland’s Beth Duffy took bronze.
“I felt a bit flat today but even on a good day it is hard to keep up with Flora,” said the former East Cheshire Harrier, a silver and gold medallist at last summer’s Olympics.
“She is such a good runner because I have been beaten by her many times. I just didn’t have it in me this time.
“I worked hard on the bike to try and get as much a gap as possible and knew I would probably suffer because of that.
“I didn’t think though I would suffer as much as I did. Sometimes you have these flat days but I gave it my best shot.
“I dug deep to try and get me up the hills but silver is all I could manage.
“Flora won fair and square. Hats off to her, she was incredible. However, I am super happy because it is my first Commonwealth Games.”
Team mate Alex Yee captured England’s first medal of the Games in the men’s race, beating New Zealand Hayden Wilde by 13 seconds.
“Watching Alex win gold was super special, so I go back now to recover and hopefully get selected for the Sunday’s relay.”
The Games are being hosted in England for the first time since Manchester 2002 when GTB was just eight!
“The crowd was incredible,” enthused GTB, a winner of the world sprint triathlon title earlier this year.
“They gave me a real tingly feeling, especially when I was on the bike. Thank you to everyone who came out and it was great to see my family were dotted all over the course.”