GAMES HOPES SOAR AS TRI GOLD ARRIVES EARLY:

Coast duo spearhead Australia’s strong victory in mixed relay

AUSTRALIA has leapt into gold medal contention for next year’s Commonwealth Games after a combination including Gold Coasters Ashleigh Gentle and Matt Hauser claimed the world triathlon mixed relay title in Hamburg.

Perennial runners-up, Australia had claimed silver in the event in 2009, 2015 and 2016, as well as bronze in Glasgow in 2014 when the event made its Commonwealth Games debut.

But they finally broke through for a win after Tasmanian Jacob Birtwhistle’s outstanding sprint finish allowed him to reel in the US team runner in the final straight.

“I will give it to Hamburg, I love it here,” Birtwhistle said.

“To come out here with these guys, we were all able to put together a good race and end up as world champions, it is pretty awesome.” Gentle and Birtwhistle claimed silver in the World Triathlon Series event held on Sunday (Australian time) before claiming gold in the team event and catapulting Australia into contention for a Gold Coast win in April.

In the first world championship since the event was confirmed on the Tokyo Olympic program for the 2020 Games, the young quartet showed they are the side to lead the sport’s charge in the next four years.

While Gentle is already a Commonwealth Games and Olympic representative, the rise of Birtwhistle has been exciting, if not unexpected.

A former world under-23 champion and outstanding track and field athlete, Birtwhistle has long been considered one of Australia’s great triathlon talents and his results over the weekend show he now mixing it with the best.

Gentle and Hauser competed alongside Victorian Charlotte McShane and Birtwhistle in the winning team, each completing a 300m swim, 7km bike and 1.6km run.

Australia was in fifth place by the time Gentle handed over to Birtwhistle for the last leg, with the Tasmanian able to use his withering finish to reel is in the leaders and land gold.

Gentle, who moved to Wollongong to link with renowned coach Jamie Turner earlier this year, is in some of the best form of her life and reaped the rewards in Hamburg.

“Jake was just amazing; it was a great privilege to be part of this team,” Gentle said.

“I have not been in too many relays but what a great feeling.”