For George and Gabriella Green, triathlon is more than just a sport. It’s a shared passion that has brought them closer together, challenged them in different ways, and is now taking them to the world stage.
The Queensland-based father-daughter duo are preparing to represent Australia at the 2026 World Triathlon Championship Finals in Pontevedra, Spain, a milestone that holds special significance for both athletes.
For 72-year-old George, it will be his first time pulling on the green and gold.
“It’s great to be wearing the green and gold,” George said. “I’m just looking forward to going over there, having fun and enjoying the experience.”
While George is making his international debut, Gabriella is no stranger to major competition. The Year 12 student competed at the World Championships in Wollongong last year and will step up from the Sprint distance to the Olympic distance in Pontevedra.
“It’s my first international event overseas, so I’m really excited,” Gabriella said. “I enjoyed Worlds last year and there were so many people from everywhere. It was a really fun experience.”
George’s journey into triathlon began around 12 years ago after spending much of his life involved in canoeing. Not long after he started competing in local Queensland events, Gabriella followed suit, progressing through junior triathlon pathways and development programs.
As Gabriella’s racing ambitions grew, George put his own racing on hold to focus on supporting his daughter.
“It became too stressful trying to organise myself and organise Gabby, so I decided to spend a few years just looking after her racing,” he laughed.
Now, the pair find themselves training side-by-side and preparing for the biggest event of their careers together.
“We do a lot of our training together,” Gabriella said. “We have a gym at home and train together there. When I swim, Dad does his swim session, and we also ride on the indoor trainers together.”
For Gabriella, preparation for Pontevedra comes with an added challenge. The aspiring law student is currently completing Year 12, studying English, Mathematics, Ancient History, Health and Physical Education, as well as a Diploma of Business.
With exams beginning shortly after she returns from Spain, balancing study and training requires careful planning.
“I’ve increased my training volume quite a lot for the Olympic distance,” she said. “I’m doing longer runs, longer swim sessions and spending more time on the bike.”
To help manage her workload, Gabriella follows a flexible training program written by coach Zac Collins who also coaches a familiar name in the triathlon world, Ellie Salthouse.
“I’m able to train when it suits me, which makes it much easier,” she said. “I can train straight after school and still have the whole night to do schoolwork.”
Having come from a strong swimming background, it’s no surprise that the swim leg remains Gabriella’s favourite discipline.
“I like the variety of triathlon,” she said. “It’s not just one thing all the time and that keeps it interesting.”
She also credits improvements in her running for helping elevate her triathlon performances, recently earning selection for national school cross country competition.
For George, the motivation is simpler.
“It’s about staying healthy, staying active and enjoying being part of the community,” he said.
Their local triathlon club, Starfish Triathlon Club provides plenty of friendly rivalry and support, with coach Ben Luscombe a key cog in the pair’s development, driving them every step of the way. While the shared experience of training and racing together has created memories neither will forget.
One of the most exciting aspects of the trip is the chance to support one another on race day.
“I get to watch Dad race on the Thursday and then he gets to watch me race on the Saturday,” Gabriella said.
For George, that opportunity makes the experience even more meaningful.
Rather than focusing on results, he is looking forward to sharing the journey with his daughter and representing Australia together on the world stage.
“If a medal is possible, I’ll certainly give it a go,” he said. “But the most important thing is enjoying the experience.”
As they prepare to head to Spain, the father-daughter duo are proving that triathlon is about far more than race results. It’s about family, friendships, shared goals and creating unforgettable memories along the way.
