Australia’s best young triathletes faced testing conditions at the World Triathlon Junior Championships in Wollongong today. The women’s race saw the southerly winds arrive just minutes before the swim started with the tighter, more congested M-shape course keeping the group within Shell Harbour.
16-year-old Addison Houslip, the youngest member of the team, was the top Australian in 16th followed by the next youngest at 17-years, Ava Henville in 23rd.
In just her first year of Junior’s, Houslip said the experience of a World Championships was amazing.
“I had some personal goals considering I’ve had a bit of a shoulder injury, so I knew that this race wasn’t going to be a hundred percent ideal for me, but that’s okay. I was actually really happy with that because I know that this is my first year. I’ve got such a long time to go. And I think this event was the best place to do it being on home soil to get experience.
“I did what I could in the swim. I honestly couldn’t have done much more. One of the things I wanted to nail was transitions and positioning, like on the bike and things like that, all the technical aspects. Transitions were a bit iffy. T1 was all right, T2 was a shocker but in terms of positioning and attacking on the bike and that positioning tactically, I think I did pretty much all I could do.”
“I’m walking away with such an amazing crowd supporting me and an incredible experience. So I’m really grateful that I got to experience this. I just want to thank all the people of Australia and Wollongong because you make this event absolutely so memorable,” she said.
Just turned 17-year-old Ava Henville made the most of her last minute call up into the team with an impressive performance. Lining up on the start line the young West Australian backed her competitive swimming background to enter the swim race as the only competitor not wearing a wetsuit. A decision that ultimately proved a good one as she sped through the first transition passing numerous competitors on to the bike.
“I was kind of towards the end of the third pack after the swim, but I really made my way through it, just speeding through transition while everyone else was fiddling around,” she said.
“I felt really good on the bike. Going into the run, I was quite puffed and tired, but I really just tried to dig deep and give it all I got. I think I may have lost a few places coming back from the run, but I did try my best, especially around the windy section at the top. I managed to pull out a sprint finish, so I was pretty happy. The experience was great and that was probably one of the main reasons I came here to have a go and for the experience.”
It was a tough day at the office for Gold Coast’s Aspen Anderson (30th) who came into the race with high hopes being one of the most experienced members of the Junior Team, but a swim to bike transition she’d like to forget pushed her back down the pecking order while Wollongong’s own Claire Spicknall finished in 29th.
“The swim was definitely really rough. I had an amazing start, but because the depth was just insane, I got a bit battered and bruised. I had a shocking transition and ended up falling over in transition with my wetsuit,” Anderson said.
“That first transition really makes or breaks the race, especially today because we’re all so close out of the water, and I knew the front group was just there and if I had a good transition, I’d have a chance of making the chase pack and I could back my run. But I just had a shocker and there were so many things going on in there.”
“The crowds were amazing out there today, and I’m gutted that I couldn’t put what I wanted on the line but everyone raced their heart out and all the other Australian girls did really well, so they should be really proud of themselves.”
Watch the full race replay on Kayo Sports and TriathlonLive.tv
Australian Women Junior World Championships Final Results:
Addison Houslip – 16th
Ava Henville – 23rd
Claire Spicknall – 29th
Aspen Anderson – 30th
