Gently does it in gold pursuit
THERE is a familiarity to Ashleigh Gentle’s push to become Australia’s first gold medal winner at these Commonwealth Games.
Thirteen years ago, Gentle entered the world of triathlon at the age of 14 and within her first season had coach Surfers Paradise coach Jenny Alcorn predicting the teenager to become an Olympian.
Gentle has since travelled the world in order to become one of the world’s best in water, on two wheels and over land.
Now the 27-year-old has returned home and is using the same Miami pool, running trails and roads in order to put herself on the cusp of gold in the first medal event of the Games on Thursday.
Training sessions have become a history lesson for the likes of Gentle’s teammate Charlotte McShane.
“It’s been so nice to swim at Miami pool and to see familiar faces there and in the gym,” Gentle said.
“We were at Miami when I moved to Raelene Ryan and then Dennis (Cotterell), so I have been swimming there for a long time.
“I am literally going back to where it all began. We have even gone past the Robina
course where first triathlon.
“Seeing some of the athletes I used to train with from all different sports has been great. It is always super refreshing. It is good to get that familiarity back.”
Gentle wasn’t satisfied by her performances at the 2014 Glasgow Games (ninth) and Rio Olympics (26th) but she believes redemption is near.
Australia’s great hope said avoiding distraction was the key after bouncing back from a bike crash in her only major pre-Games race in Abu Dhabi in March.
“The main thing for me is to try to keep things simple and relaxed in the lead-up,” Gentle said.
“The perfect lead-in would be that I didn’t crash in Abu Dhabi and I had a great race but maybe that happened for a reason and I’m going to be ready.
“Even though it wasn’t a great result in Abu Dhabi I think I learnt a lot and I calmed a lot of nerves experiencing that first World Series race of the year.”
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