Western Australian triathletes Ryan Bailie and Jaz Hedgeland have earned selection for the 2016 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Cozumel, Mexico in late August.
The selection locks in a particularly busy period for Bailie, with the South African born, Bunbury raised athlete set to make his Olympic debut in Rio, on August 18, before backing up for this year’s World Final.
Hedgeland will contest the women’s U23 class, aiming to build on a 2016 season that has seen her rise to prominence as one of the country’s best young talents.
Australia will send 25 athletes to compete in total, with 12 in the elite ranks, with the rest split between U23 and junior classifications.
With the elite racing following swiftly off the back of the Olympics, Triathlon Australia National Performance Director Bernard Savage believes Australia will be well served in Mexico.
“Half the Elite team will be coming straight off the Olympic Games while the other half have been racing very well in the WTS rounds,” said Savage.
“You can see the men’s team maturing every time they race and they have been presented with every opportunity to break through and that’s just what they are doing.
Craig Redman, Triathlon Australia’s National Manager High Performance Pathway said: “It is certainly an exciting team of talented athletes with an excellent mixture of athletes with previous worlds experience and first timers.
“Mexico will be a significant challenge for all our young developing junior athletes, particularly with the travel and heat.
“The future is looking very bright indeed with a number of extremely talented athletes just missing out on selection for this year’s team, which I am confident they will be pushing for a spot on the team in 2017 and beyond.
“I wish to pass on my congratulations to all athletes, their home coaches and families on their selection into the Australian Elite Team.”
