As the Olympics draw near, every race is important for securing Olympic qualification points, and this weekend the race to Rio is more heated than ever with qualification on the line for many major names at World Triathlon Gold Coast.
For the third time in the city’s history, the World Triathlon Series returns to Gold Coast as the second stop on the 2016 WTS calendar for a standard-distance course.
The golden number one will be worn by Great Britain’s Jodie Stimpson, who has begun her 2016 in perfect fashion. With just one more Olympic spot open for the taking for Great Britain, Stimpson’s results so far this season put her in a good position of securing the final place. She claimed the WTS opening race in Abu Dhabi in March and then one week later grabbed the World Cup opener in Mooloolaba. While she did not compete in the Gold Coast last year, it was here that Stimpson became the U23 World Championship runner-up in 2009.
Other significant names racing this weekend is Flora Duffy, according to the article which states “Duffy is already qualified for the Olympics and just missed the podium in Abu Dhabi by taking fourth,” President of the Bermuda Olympic Association when contacted to get clarification stated that, “The BOA have not been officially notified by the International Triathlon Union (ITF) or the Bermuda Triathlon Association.”
Duffy the outstanding cyclist has been creeping higher and higher in the rankings and will be looking for a medal this round.
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