MORE than 550 of the country’s top young triathletes headed to Calne to contest the 2016 BUCS (British Universities Colleges Sport) Triathlon Championships on Sunday.

Athletes from more than 40 universities travelled to St Mary’s School, the students completing the 750m pool swim, 25km bike and 5km run.

In the men’s competition it was a great day for Leeds University taking first and second spot, with Sam Dickinson taking the victory by just 16 seconds in a time of 1:04:12.

He was closely followed by fellow Leeds student Gordon Benson (1:04.28), with Richard Horton (Loughborough) coming third in 1:04:38.

In the women’s competition it was one better for Sophie Coldwell.

After just missing out on the title last year, she produced a dominant display, winning by more than 90 seconds to take gold.

Leeds continued their good event seeing Hannah Drewett second over the finish line in a time of 1:13:40 and Sian Rainsley coming third in 1:14:56 for Leeds Beckett (Carnegie).

Leeds' dominance was maintained as they took a clean sweep in the team competitions.

Dickinson, Benson and Jack Willis took the gold for the men with a combined 3:13:51, while Drewett, Harmonie Waterman and Mary Hodgson clinched ladies gold for the girls in 3:44:47.