Hauser shoots higher

STEP one was making the Commonwealth Games team.

With that box ticked, Matt Hauser has higher goals as he looks forward to racing on the opening day of competition at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Hauser starts the final chapter of his preparation tomorrow when he turns out in the Gold Coast Triathlon, Luke Harrop Memorial race on a course that closely mirrors the Games set-up.

“The Luke Harrop Triathlon is on a similar course to the Commonwealth Games … and it’s also the Australian (shortcourse) championships for us,” Hauser said.

“That will be my first race back since the world champs last year, so I’m really looking forward to racing and getting that feeling back into the body.

“And then I’ll head to Mooloolaba World Cup (on March 10). The more practice the better before the Games and I think that’ll give me a lot of confidence.”

Hauser’s confidence should already be sky high after a breakout 2017 during which he won the world junior title and joined Commonwealth Games teammates Ashleigh Gentle, Charlotte McShane and Jake Birtwhistle to clinch a world mixed teams championship.

But the 19-year-old has been working towards a new level. “The news of making the team was overwhelming and

TODAY

1-5pm: Gold Coast Triathlon Sport and Lifestyle Expo Open

TOMORROW

6.15am: Gold Coast Elite/U23 National Champs

7.15am: Superkidz Triathlon 7.37am: Enticer

7.57am: Luke Harrop Memorial - Paratriathletes 8.07am: Luke Harrop Memorial

very exciting but also at the same time it was very motivational and inspiring,” he said.

“It’s only pushed me further in training and I just can’t wait to get out and race now.”

A block of altitude training at the Australian Institute of Sport with some of the nation’s best triathletes, including fellow Gold Coaster and Games representative Gentle, has Hauser primed for the new season.

“I think that was really important just to getting to peak form for the Gold Coast Games,” he said.

Hauser’s Australian teammate Luke Willian will also turn out on the Gold Coast tomorrow as he continues to hone his Games preparations off the back of his Burleigh run-swim-run win last month.

The cream of Australia’s paratriathletes will also be in action, led by Paralympic gold medallist and Gold Coaster Katie Kelly and fellow Rio teammates Bill Chaffey, Nic Beveridge and Brant Garvey.