WAIS triathlete Jaz Hedgeland has finished third at the Oceania Championships in New Zealand as Australia secured a further vital Olympic quota.
Showing plenty of potential in her emergence into the elite women’s ranks, Hedgeland completed the Gisborne course in a time of 2:09.16hrs to finish behind Olympian Emma Moffatt and Emma Jeffcoat.
With Australia also earning a win in the elite men’s – courtesy of victory to Marcel Walkington, triathlon Australia secured the remaining wildcard quota available for the Rio Olympics in August.
Hedgeland swam a 22 minute opening leg before recording 1:06hr bike leg. Her effort of 39 minutes in the closing run was strong enough for a podium finish, and also saw her earn the second fastest time in the U23 ranks, behind Jeffcoat.
The two Emmas broke away in the bike leg before Moffatt, a dual Olympian, earned the race win over the run leg.
“Emma and I worked really well on the bike but the headwind was tough coming back each time which stung the legs a little bit and likewise on the run it was hard running into that wind, Moffatt said.
“I was really focused, here to race and wanted to go hard but it is a nice setting so that eases the pain a little.
“It is a tough year trying to get into the Olympic team for Australia; it is a hard feat in itself, I have to go well in the World Series race in April on the Gold Coast and then if I qualify, go hard again in August.
“I was disappointed in Mooloolaba not to catch a wave so it was nice to get one this week and gives you a nice lead on the other girls and then work well together from then on.
-TriathlonAus
