The European Triathlon Junior Cup in the supersprint distance and mixed-relay saw a significant presence from Ukraine. Among the experienced participants were several debutants on the international stage – Maksym Nesvat, Maksym Usanin, Markiyan Harmatiy, Kyrylo Levytskyi, Daryna Horb, and Anna Korotyayeva. In total, 12 Ukrainian men and 5 women took to the start line for the European Cup Chisinau.

Illia Honcharuk and Vladyslav Mykytenko finished in the Top 20, earning their first points in the Europe Triathlon Junior Ranking, which already includes four Ukrainians. The scores of the top three representatives from each nation contribute to the National Federation Rankings. Fedir Bezlepkin, Illia Honcharuk, and Yurii Tiuitiunnyk form the leading trio, with Vladyslav Mykytenko as the fourth Ukrainian in the Rankings.

In the women’s category, Ukrainian Dana Soroka emerged as a leader from the swim and maintained her position in the cycling. During the run, the national team reserve member posted the fastest time in the race. Dana clinched her first international victory, leaving Spain’s Cristina Jimenez-Orta Guerrero behind.

Last year, at the European Youth Championships, Cristina finished seventh in the “A” final, while Dana competed in the “B” final. At the season’s start, the Spaniard was on the podium in Quarteira and Melilla, while the Ukrainian was battling for junior ranking points in the same races. Cristina took a break from competitions until Chișinău, while Dana finished in the top ten in Olsztyn and Izvorani. In Moldova, Soroka outpaced Jimenez-Orta Guerrero, earning 400 points in the Junior Ranking. Both leaders will continue their season in Balıkesir, where the Junior European Championships are scheduled.

In the Women’s Europe Triathlon Junior Ranking, Dana Soroka climbed to sixth place. This marks her fourth scoring start out of five possible (the best three results count toward the final sum). Sofiia Bondarenko also secured her third set of points in the rankings, finishing tenth. After Chisinau, Ukraine now has three participants in the rankings, whose combined points contribute to the National Federation Standings.

In the mixed-relay, eight teams from five countries, including two from Ukraine, took to the start. Yurii Tiuitiunnyk, Dana Soroka, Fedsr Bezlepkin, and Sofiia Bondarenko formed the first team, while Illia Honcharuk, Daryna Horb, Zakhar Tsivkovskyi, and Anna Korotyayeva comprised the second team.
Yurii Tiuitiunnyk and Dana Soroka delivered the best results among Ukrainians in the relay! Yuriy handed off the baton alongside the leading trio, while Dana caught up with the Bulgarians, moving the team into third position. Fedшr Bezlepkin continued the relay and passed the baton to Sofiшa Bondarenko, who, unfortunately, did not finish due to a fall in the cycling segment, resulting in an injury.

The second team finished the race. In the final, the Ukrainians placed fifth, with Illia Honcharuk, Daryna Horb, Zakhar Tsyvkivskyi, and Anna Korotyayeva adding 292 points to the NFs Rankings.

Ukraine concluded the European Cup in Chisinau with a combined total of three men and three women in the individual rankings, along with relay points from Izvorani and Chisinau. Ukraine re-entered the top ten, finishing eighth among 32 European countries.

The Ukrainian Triathlon Federation expresses sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and our sponsor, TM “Ministry of Doors”, for their unwavering support of the junior team, from providing racing suits to purchasing bicycles.