Gentle bets on House bid to deliver the goods

ASHLEIGH Gentle aims to build on a career-high World Triathlon Series finish by launching a tilt on the famous Island House Invitational.

Gentle will compete for a share in $500,000 prizemoney in the unique racing event that will shake up the traditional swim, bike, run format over two days of racing from November 17-18 in Highbourne Cay, Bahamas.

“I am really excited and honoured to be picked to be part this year,” Gentle said.

“I’m really looking forward to challenging myself on my time trial bike as it’s the nondrafting format this year and being in the Bahamas is a pretty incredible bonus.”

The announcement of Gentle’s inclusion in the event comes days after the 26-yearold Gold Coaster finished second in the 2017 World Triathlon Series rankings behind winner Flora Duffy.

The non-drafting format should suit Gentle who is considered one of the best riders and runners in the WTS.

The WTS is draft legal, meaning athletes don’t have to keep a regulated distance away from rivals and can save energy while maintaining speed on the bike leg.

Gentle has returned home to the Gold Coast to rest and recover after spending the past few months training and racing in Europe.

The Olympian and Commonwealth Games-bound triathlete is likely to chase a fifth Noosa Triathlon title on November 5 before turning her focus to the Island House race.

The Island House Invitation Triathlon has drawn world class fields in recent years with Duffy and Rio gold medallist Gwen Jorgensen among the winners.

It brings together the best triathletes from all distances from around the world together from the ITU circuit, 70.3 and ironman formats for what is coined “Pain in Paradise”.