Women set to battle it out on proposed 2012 Olympic course

Created On: 05 August 2011

The world's top women triathletes will battle it out over the proposed London 2012 Olympic course tomorrow (Saturday) morning as the action gets underway at the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship London, presented by Tata Steel.

The elite women's race, starting at 08.36 tomorrow at London's iconic Hyde Park, is the first race of an exciting weekend of triathlon action.

There is additional spice for the athletes as many nations are using the competition as an Olympic qualifying opportunity.

Canada's Paula Findlay, who was a surprise winner of last year's London race, is among the 67 athletes competing in tomorrow's elite race.

Findlay is now second in the World Championship rankings but has been struggling with a hip injury that made her withdraw from the World Cup in Edmonton last month.

"I had to pull out of the race in Edmonton with the intention of being healthy this weekend, but unfortunately it's been a bit slower than I expected," she said.

"I'm not 100 per cent, I've just been cycling and swimming in training," she said. "I still intend to race and I'm excited to be here."

Chile's Barbara Riveros Diaz leads the current World Championship Series rankings and will hope for a belated celebration of her 24th birthday - she passed the landmark on Thursday (4 August).

The Aussie trio of Emmas - Moffatt, Jackson and Snowsill - return to action in London after taking gold, silver and bronze respectively at the last World Championship race in Hamburg three weeks ago.

Shaun Stephens, Australian National Head Coach, said reigning Olympic champion Snowsill received a major boost from that win in Hamburg.

"All indications from Snowsill suggest she has developed confidence from Hamburg and has completed another good training block," he said.

"Emma Jackson has continued to train very well and has not allowed her outstanding result in Hamburg to distract her from continuing a terrific season."

Britain's Helen Jenkins goes into the race sixth in the current rankings. She said she's looking forward to competing on home soil. She said: ""It's nice to have home support. You wouldn't think it would make that much difference, but it does. I've had two third places here and if I get a podium this year I will meet the Olympic selection and that will be brilliant."

The action continues after the elite race with more than 1300 people taking part in the Age Group Olympic Distance Triathlons around Hyde Park, while around 800 people will take part in Age Group Sprint Distance Triathlons.

Saturday also sees the GE Tri Team Relay and both the Youth and Junior Aquathlon Championships.

The action continues on Sunday with the men's elite race getting underway at 13.06.

Tags: news,women,london2012

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