On 11 June 2017, athletes will have the opportunity to get their hands on a sought-after Great Britain tri suit after it was announced that Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds will double-up as a qualification race for the Great Britain Age-Group Team.
With the standard distance event in Leeds playing host to the 2017 British Championships, age-group athletes will now be given an additional incentive as they are offered the first chance to book their spot at the 2018 Gold Coast ITU Standard Distance Triathlon World Championships.
There will be a total of four qualification races to secure a place on the team, with the further three taking place in 2018. Details of these races will be released in due course.
Nicky Dick, British Triathlon Director Age-Group Teams, said: “British Triathlon are thrilled to propose the first opportunity to qualify for the Great Britain Age-Group Team in Leeds this summer.
“With next year’s ITU World Triathlon Championships taking place in the Gold Coast, introducing an earlier qualification event opens the doors for more athletes to vie for a spot and offers additional time to prepare for the Championships.
“We look forward to naming our first members of the team in June”.
Louise Croxson, Great Britain Age-Group Team member added: I’m really looking forward to competing in Leeds this summer and the added bonus of a chance to qualify for the 2018 Great Britain Age-Group Team only increases the attraction.
“It’s a positive move to introduce an additional qualifier for the championships as it means athletes can plan their competitive seasons around their main focus, with the peace of mind that qualification has already been secured.”
Across 10-11 June, Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds will witness participants of all levels get involved in the sport, from beginners making their triathlon debuts on Saturday with GO TRI, before age-group athletes are roared home to the blue carpet by the Yorkshire crowds.
The weekend reaches its pinnacle on Sunday afternoon when the world’s best go head to head in the fourth leg of the ITU World Triathlon Series, supported by UK Sport and The National Lottery.
Cllr Judith Blake, Leeds City Council, said:
“With just four months to go there is already a real buzz in the city for this year’s Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds. It is exciting news therefore that this event will also be offering athletes the chance to qualify for the Great Britain Age-Group Team.
“With the age-group race routes now unveiled, we cannot wait for Britain’s top amateur talent to arrive in Leeds and have the opportunity to take on our fantastic course.”
2017 Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds will be organised exclusively by British Triathlon, in partnership with Leeds City Council, UK Sport and the ITU. For more information and to enter, please visit here.
For further information about the 2018 Gold Coast ITU Standard Distance Triathlon World Championships, please visit here.
