Aussie triathletes chasing first medals of the Games

Triathlon Australia, July 24, 2014: The first medals of the XXth Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will be decided in the sport of triathlon tonight (Australian time) with Australia fielding an exciting team of six debutants when the sport returns to the program for the first time since 2006 in Melbourne on day one at Strathclyde.

Network Ten will televise the women’s triathlon from 8pm tonight (Check local guides) followed by the men’s race later in the night.

The host broadcasters will also show a special feature on Australia’s own Emma Moffatt, filmed as the Gold Coast-based two-time world champion and Olympic bronze medallist prepared for the biggest race of the year.

With the retirement of 2008 Olympic champion Emma Snowsill it leaves two of the three Emmas – Moffatt and Jackson – and rising star Ashleigh Gentle to carry the women’s flag.

And in the men’s event Australia’s top ranked ITU triathlete for the last two years, 2012 Under 23 World Champion, Aaron Royle will be joined by fellow World Championship team members Ryan Bailie and Dan Wilson.

With triathlon missing in Delhi, the sport will see this year see a second medal event with the inclusion of the first Mixed Teams Relays event in a Multi Sport Games on Day three.

The Aussies were a close up fourth in the recent world championships in Hamburg and will be determined to push the Brownlees-led England – with Jonny and Alistair returning to their best when Great Britain won the gold medal.

“It will be great to get out and race in the individual event and on our day there is no reason why all three of us girls can’t challenge for a medal,” said ITU World champion and Olympic bronze medallist.

“And I think we are all looking forward to the Teams event for the first time.”

Royle, Bailie and Wilson will carry the hopes of a rejuvenated men’s team and are all very much in the hunt for a medal against the ted hot Englishmen.

The Australians have set themselves for this race and have been basking in the Glasgow sunshine with local forecasters already predicting temperatures of 25 degrees with the water temperature at Strathclyde at 21 degrees – a non wetsuit swim.

Australia’s Performance Director Bernard Savage is counting down the hours to race time.

“All of the athletes are ready to go and it is great to see the smiles on their faces after being welcomed into the Athletes Village,” said Savage.

“We did our media day yesterday and all six were happy and relaxed – it’s going to be a huge day out at Strathclyde and we can’t wait.”

Follow all the action on twitter @hansonmedia @TRIAustralia @AusComGames #TeamAUS2014

Issued on behalf of Triathlon Australia by
Ian Hanson| Media Manager Triathlon Australia
Media Manager Australian Commonwealth Games Team, Glasgow, 2014