Hauser off and running for next triathlon title
TEENAGE world champion Matt Hauser will use tomorrow's ITU World Triathlon Series race in Edmonton to further press his claims for a place at next year’s Commonwealth Games.
Two discretionary male spots for the Games are still up for grabs and 19-year-old Gold Coast triathlete Hauser needs to continue improving to join Jake Birtwhistle in the team.
Hauser was part of the fourperson team, along with fellow Gold Coaster Ashleigh Gentle, that won Australia’s first ever world teams relay crown in the new Olympic event at Hamburg on July 16. “Sure, there was a massive comedown from Hamburg after being world champions and basing myself in Vitoria (Spain) alongside the (Jamie Turner) group, I’ve reflected and moved on from that experience and I’m ready to go for Edmonton now,” Hauser said.
“It will be another race to test myself against a high level of competition and put my name out there again for Commonwealth Games selectors.
“I did the junior race here in 2015 and although it was freezing, my body seemed to hold up well and I ended up winning – the fields are certainly strong so there’s no chance for error.
“Although there’s been slight improvements every step of the way this year for me there were still elements of the race in Hamburg (20th) I want to fine-tune. I’ll need to have everything right in Edmonton to maximise my performance.”
Gentle won’t be competing in Edmonton but emerging Gold Coast-based athlete Jaz Hedgeland will take part.