Aptos’ Tommy Zaferes takes fifth in European Cup sprint triathlon

Aptos resident Tommy Zaferes placed fifth in the Cremona ITU Sprint Triathlon European Cup in Italy on Sunday.

Zaferes finished the race in 55 minutes, 47 seconds, coming in 50 seconds behind winner Thomas Bishop of Great Britain [54:57]. Russia’s Igor Polyanskiy was second [55:26], Switzerland’s Florin Salvisberg was third [55:32] and Australia’s Ryan Fisher was fourth [55:40].

“Racing a sprint triathlon on legs that aren’t fully rested is a challenge, so I’m very happy with that result and being able to see first-hand the benefits of getting back into my own personal training groove,” Zaferes wrote in the race recap on his blog.

Zaferes, who is training in Europe this summer, completed the 750-meter swim in 9:01, the 20-kilometer run in 29:42 and the 8k run in 16:29.

Zaferes will next compete in the French Grand Prix in Toulouse this Saturday, according to the schedule on his website, before he does double duty with a World Cup race in Spain on Sunday.

The results in this report are from the International Triathlon Union website.

– Christina Gullickson, on Twitter @CGullTweets

Santa Cruz rower Jordan Vanderstoep, teammate John Chuter capture gold at junior nationals

The Los Gatos Rowing Club’s Jordan Vanderstoep and John Chuter have a clear lead approaching the finish line of the pairs final at the US Rowing Youth National Championships in Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Veronica Vanderstoep/Contributed)

Santa Cruz native Jordan Vanderstoep skipped one celebration for another over the weekend.

The senior from Georgiana Bruce Kirby Prep didn’t go to his own graduation. Instead, he and his Los Gatos Rowing Club teammate John Chuter secured the gold, finding a whole other reason to celebrate after going undefeated in the men’s pair over the weekend at the U.S. Rowing Youth National Championships in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Vanderstoep and Chuter crossed the finish line of the final heat in 7 minutes, 11.543 seconds for the national title. Saratoga’s Arik Torkelson and Liam Casey finished as the runners-up [7:16.111] and the Sarasota Scullers’ Conor Davenport and Joseph Pantera placed third [7:17.572].

Vanderstoep and Chuter earlier won their first heat in 7:19.606 with nearly a five-second lead over the next closest boat. They advanced from there to the semifinals, where they eked out a win in 7:31.653 — just two seconds over the next closest team.

The Los Gatos Rowing Club’s Jordan Vanderstoep and John Chuter are all smiles after winning the pairs final at the US Rowing Youth National Championships in Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Veronica Vanderstoep/Contributed)

Vanderstoep also medaled in the 4s with coxswain, taking bronze in the final. His LGRC team, headed by Benton Chuter, crossed the finish line in 6:46.550. Deerfield, led by Brad Plunkett, won the national title in 6:40.967.

LGRC also qualified for 8s, but did not send a team.

In the fall, Vanderstoep will attend Cal, where he will be on the crew team.

Results in this report are from the U.S. Rowing website.

– Christina Gullickson, on Twitter @CGullTweets