Great Britain senior and junior triathletes and paratriathletes have arrived in Kitzbuhel, Austria, ready for the ETU European Championships this weekend. Racing starts on Friday, and will feature Mixed Relays on Sunday, just a week after the event was added to the Olympic programme in Tokyo.
India Lee starts the elite women’s races as the defending champion on Friday. Jessica Learmonth and Sophie Coldwell join her, but Non Stanford withdrew yesterday through illness.
Having finished sixth at the Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds, Learmonth commented: “It’s a quick turnaround from Leeds on Sunday to racing in Kitzbuhel on Friday, but I’m excited, especially if there’s a chance of a breakaway with Sophie. It will also be great to race the Mixed Relay on Sunday if we get the opportunity.”
I’m excited, especially if there’s a chance of a breakaway with Sophie.
Despite it being exam season, the women’s junior team is strong, with experienced athletes including Olivia Mathias and Kate Waugh also racing on Friday. The equivalent junior men’s race on Saturday will see some new championship caps, as will the senior men’s race on the same day. The full team list is below.
Sunday’s junior and senior Mixed Relay teams will be selected following the individual races based on athlete performances and fitness. Great Britain has been very successful in relay events at European and global level, and there is huge excitement that this fast-paced and exciting event will now feature at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games following an IOC decision last Friday to include them.
Paralympic champion, Andy Lewis features in the paratriathlon on Friday. He said: “After winning the European title last year, I want to retain that title, I know it will be difficult but I'll give it my all.”
After winning the European title last year, I want to retain that.
Alison Patrick, who won silver in the visually impaired event in Rio, added: “I hope to keep building on the learning and work I have done over the winter. Kitzbuhel is a stunning venue, so I'm excited to race there again.”
The Paratriathlon team features all four of Britain’s Rio medal winners, and some relatively new athletes, including double track athletics Paralympian, Jade Jones and former solider, Steven Crowley.
Schedule
Friday 16th June: Paratriathlon, Junior Female, Elite Female
Saturday 17th June: Junior Male, Elite Male
Sunday 18th June: Mixed Relay Junior, Mixed Relay Elite
British athletes racing
Paratriathlon; Friday 16 June; 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run:
PTHC: Lizzie Tench, Jade Jones, Karen Darke
PTS2: Andrew Lewis, Fran Brown
PTS3: Cassie Cava
PTS4: Steven Crowley
PTS5: George Peasgood, Kerry Large, Lauren Steadman
PTVI: Dave Ellis, Alison Patrick, Melissa Reid
Junior women; Friday 16 June; 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run
Olivia Mathias, Issy Morris, Caitlin Roper, Erin Wallace, Kate Waugh
Elite women; Friday 16 June; 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run:
India Lee, Non Stanford, Jessica Learmonth, Sophie Coldwell
Junior men; Saturday 17 June; 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run:
Cameron Harris, Barclay Izzard, Alex Chantler Mayne
Elite men; Saturday 17 June; 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run:
James Teagle, Douglas Roberts
Start lists and further information are HERE
A preview of the Age-Group races is available HERE.
