Molina Captures U.S. Triathlon

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Defending champion Scott Molina of Del Mar overcame Djan Madruga of Brazil with five miles to go and won the Bud Light U.S. Triathlon Series National Championship Saturday.

Linda Buchanan of Santa Barbara won the women’s triathlon two minutes ahead of runnerup Silviane Puntous of Bass Lake, Calif.

In the men’s event, which was comprised of a 1.5 kilometer ocean swim, a 40-kilometer bicycle race and a 10-kilometer road race, Madruga was first out of the rough ocean waters and held the lead through the bike race. But Molina, 25, caught the former Brazilian Olympic swimmer in the foot race and finished with a winning time of 1 hour, 57 minutes and 15 seconds.