Australian Olympic contenders Felicity Abram and Emma Moffatt will headline a quality field in this Saturday’s 2008 Gold Coast Triathlon ITU Oceania Cup Abram will contest her first race since placing second to Emma Snowsill at the Noosa Triathlon on November 4. Abram is trying to snare one of the two spots on the Australian Olympic team. After an injury riddled 2007 she is back on top and will be out to impress selectors here and at the Mooloolaba ITU World Cup (30 March).
“‘I’m looking forward to racing and blowing away the cobwebs. Emma (Moffatt) is in good form after her win last weekend so it will be good to gauge myself off her and gain some race fitness for Mooloolaba. But more importantly I’m just glad to be racing in memory of Luke,” said Abram. Moffatt, another Beijing hopeful that has risen from pretender to major contender after a breakthrough Australian Sprint Championship title in Hobart two weeks ago. She also snared Triathlon Australia’s Athlete of the Year award presented earlier this month. Voted by her peers, 2007 saw Moffat win her first World Cup victory in Edmonton, place second at the ITU World Cup in Hungary and claim 4th in the 2007 World Championships in Hamburg, Germany.
Just seven months ago she never considered herself a chance but her world cup victory in Edmonton and fourth place at the 2007 world championships catapulted her into Olympic contention.
“I’ve been pleased with my early season form and this race will be another stepping stone to peaking at Mooloolaba and making my charge for Olympic selection,” said Moffatt.
Alee Sharp will be looking to consolidate her good start to the season claiming the 2008 Australian Triathlon title in Perth this month. The event marked a return to racing for Sharp after an extended period away from racing.
Australia’s National Performance Director, Bill Davoren said the battle for the final two female places on the Australian team will be fierce with four girls all in contention – Felicity Abram, Emma Moffatt, Erin Densham and Annabel Luxford.
"This weekend is the last chance for the girls to have a hit-out before the racing really goes up a level. With three World Cups left before the final Selection date, I expect all four girls will be coming into some good form over the next few weeks,” said Davoren.
The event has attracted a full strength Japanese squad currently based on the Gold Coast lead by 38 year old veteran Kiyomi Niwata. 38 year old Niwata is still Japan’s highest ranked athlete sitting at number 11 on the ITU Cup standings.
HARROP’S PREGNANT PAUSE Former golden girl and Olympic silver medallist Loretta Harrop will again take part in The Gold Coast Triathlon – Luke Harrop Memorial as part of an expected 1,500 competitors on Sunday 2 March.
Unlike last year when Harrop made her return to elite competition in this weekend of triathlon to honour her brother Luke, she will only be contesting the swim leg of the event as she is expecting her second child.
“I will always take part in this race to remember Luke, it’s a fantastic weekend and one that he loved,” said Harrop.
The Sunday program caters for participants of all ages and abilities with a sprint distance race (750m/20km/5km), an Enticer triathlon (300m/10km/2km) and The Courier Mail Superkidz Triathlon (100m/3km/500m).
The Gold Coast Triathlon is the third and final even in the Luke Harrop Memorial Bursary, the other two being the 2007 Mooloolaba and Noosa events. An Under 23 male and female winner will be awarded $1000 and the series winners a bonus cheque of $1500 each
At a glance Distance Olympic Distance – 1.5km swim, 40km cycle, 10km run Course Swim: 2 laps, held in the Broadwater which is tidal and saltwater. Cycle: 9 laps – along the Gold Coast Highway with complete road closure. Run: 4 laps – along the Gold Coast Highway and through the race precint Defending Champions Brad Kahlefeldt (AUST) Liz Blatchford (GBR) Prize Money AUD$12,000 Timetable
Saturday 1 March 2008 11.00am Oceania Cup Elite Female – Start 1.20pm Oceania Cup Elite Male – Start Sunday 2 March 2008 5.30am Gold Coast Lifestyle Expo Opens 6.45 am SuperKidz Tri – Start 7.05am Southport CentralEnticer Triathlon – Start 7.25am Gold Coast Triathlon – Start 11.00am Gold Coast Lifestyle Expo closes
