GOLF, TRIATHLON

Birtwhistle could break drought

AUSTRALIAN hopes are on Tasmanian triathlon star Jake Birtwhistle to break an eightyear men’s drought.

No Australian has finished on the World Triathlon Series podium since Brad Kahlefeldt ended the 2010 season in third spot.

With two rounds to go — Montreal this weekend and the grand final on the Gold Coast next month — Birtwhistle is in third place on the 2018 rankings on 3245 points behind training partners Mario Mola (4850 points) and Vincent Luis (3810).

Birtwhistle has been in Flagstaff, Arizona, undertaking high-altitude training with Mola and Luis.

“Living and training at 2200m elevation makes for some tough work,” Birtwhistle said.

“I’ve never been this high before so I’m excited to see how I’ve adapted once back down to sea level to race.

“Sitting in third in the series overall is a great position for me to be in and I have the opportunity to add to that with points from Montreal and then Gold Coast.

“The athletes in front of me, and the ones close behind on the rankings, have already used five events towards their WTS position.

“As I have only four events included, I hope to add a strong fifth event to hold or improve my position going into the grand final.”

After the Montreal event, Birtwhistle will head back home to Launceston for his recovery week before travelling to the Gold Coast to join coach Joel Filliol and his training group for his final preparations.