British Age-Group athletes all set for Rotterdam World Championships
The highlight of the 2017 racing season for many, the Rotterdam ITU World Triathlon Grand Final will conclude on Sunday with the Age-Group Triathlon World Championships over the Sprint and Standard Distances.
With Rotterdam a relatively short trip across the English Channel, competition for qualification has been fierce all season amongst the already competitive domestic Age-Group racing scene. As a result, the Great Britain team travelling to The Netherlands will be the largest nation represented at the championships. As well as quantity, the team also contains quality and will be looking to return to the UK with a significant medal haul.
Under the scorching conditions in Cozumel 12 months ago, the Brits collected 11 medals (Sprint) and eight podiums (Standard), for a total of 19. The current weather forecast for Rotterdam combined with the increased team size this year, means that the team will be seeking to significantly improve upon those figures this year. However, competition will be tough, with a strong USA team having made the long trip across the Atlantic, with only Great Britain and the home nations having more athletes on the start list.
The Sprint distance in 2016 saw three Gold medals from Jacqui Phillips (45-49), Barbara Holmes (55-59) and Michael Smallwood (70-74). All three will be seeking to defend those championships on Sunday, with Jacqui this year moving up to the 50-54 category.
A veteran of the British Age-Group squad going back to 2009, this will be Jacqui’s 20th start in the GB trisuit, with 15 podium finishes already. Jacqui will be hoping to add another medal to the European Duathlon and Triathlon Gold, plus World Duathlon Silver; she has already collected in what has been a very impressive 2017 season.
Over the Standard distance, Sarah Barrett (65-69) and Sandra Abrams (70-74) were crowned World Champions in Cozumel, but this year they will be racing head-to-head, with Sarah moving up to the 70-74 division.
As well as different distances, the World Championship Age-Group Sprint distance race will be a draft-legal format, while the Standard Distance is over the non-drafting format.
A familiar face from both BBC Breakfast and from triathlon TV coverage, Louise Minchin will be racing in the Sprint distance (45-49), in what is her third representation in the Great Britain Age-Group team.
Rotterdam ITU Triathlon Age-Group World Championships
Sunday 17th September 2017
Sprint Distance: 750m swim / 20km bike / 5km run
Standard Distance: 1.5km swim / 40km / 10km run
Event Website: http://rotterdam.triathlon.org/
Full start-lists: http://www.triathlon.org/events/start_lists/2017_itu_world_triathlon_grand_final_rotterdam
