Jaz changes her tune for Canada
JAZ Hedgeland will return to the scene of her World Triathlon Series debut a changed athlete after the biggest year of her young career.
The emerging Gold Coast triathlete has been named to compete in the Edmonton leg of the WTS on July 29 in Canada.
Hedgeland finished 38th in the 2016 event that doubled as her elite debut and the 22-year-old said it started a 12-month period of “huge growth”.
“I’m definitely feeling a lot more prepared for the level of competition than I was last year,” Hedgeland said.
“A year has passed now and so much has happened. Last year I really had no idea what to expect.
“I didn’t really have any major plans going into the race because I didn’t know how it would turn out and I just wanted to see where I sat among the other girls.
“From when I started competitively and then going through juniors it was all kind of similar how the races would play out.
“The WTS is a totally different level. I definitely had to implement some changes in training and adjust things. I’m definitely learning a lot quicker.”
Hedgeland has already featured in two WTS races this year, finishing 27th on the Gold Coast and 28th at Yokohama, Japan.
Hedgeland, a member of the Triathlon Australia under-23 program, said she was confident of improving on her previous WTS results in Edmonton.
“With each of the races I didn’t know exactly where I would be sitting but I haven’t had one I’m really happy with yet,” Hedgeland said.
“I want to cross the line and be happy with my swim, bike, run and transition and then whatever place that is I’ll be happy with.
“If it all goes well I’ll improve on last time.”
Hedgeland will also find out this month if she has secured a place at the 2017 under-23 World Championships, to be held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in September.
Emma Jeffcoat has already gained entry and Hedgeland is hoping to be the second athlete named by selectors to compete.