After three intense days of Super Sprint Race Weekend action, the final line-ups for the Australian Junior and Youth Super Sprint Championships are now set.
Today’s heats, repechages, and semi-finals delivered thrilling performances and high-stakes racing, narrowing the field to the nation’s best young talent ready to compete for championship titles.
With little in the way of surprises, the top contenders and standout performers of the week navigated the day’s races smoothly, securing their places in the Super Sprint Finals without drama.
Defending junior men’s champion Jack Woodberry is firmly in the hunt for back-to-back titles after a stellar three days of racing, with top times in both the Le Mans and 1500m Run, alongside a strong second-place finish in the Aquathlon.
But the Tasmanian faces stiff competition from New South Wales’ Jack Caldwell. Caldwell’s impressive Super Sprint Race Weekend includes a standout performance to take top spot in the Aquathlon and second-place finishes in both the 400m Swim and 1500m Run.
Both athletes secured wins in their respective semi-finals, but it was Caldwell who posted the fastest time of the day.
With a stacked field of rising stars keeping the title race wide open, former Australian junior champion Wade Barr knows what it takes to win. The New South Welshman is full of confidence after a second-place finish to Woodberry in the semi-final and will be eager to go one better in the final to reclaim the championship.
Victoria’s Oscar Wootton and Queensland duo Bowen Bamford and Zahn Spies add further depth to the finals field.
Aspen Anderson appears determined to match Ashleigh Gentle’s record for the most Super Sprint Race Weekend wins as she chases her third Australian Junior Super Sprint Championship title. The Queenslander delivered a standout performance throughout the weekend, claiming wins in the Le Mans, Aquathlon, and 1500m Run.
She clocked the fastest time in the semi-finals, firmly establishing herself as the one to beat in the final. But a pair of teammates could stand in her way of securing a historic third title.
Hannah Pollock and Caitlyn Garratt have showed impressive performances throughout the week, positioning themselves as strong contenders to challenge Anderson for the championship.
Pollock has been in excellent form, securing a strong third-place finish in the Le Mans and second in the Aquathlon. She also placed second in her semi-final behind Garratt, the reigning junior championship bronze medallist, whose semi-final win highlighted her as one to watch in the final.
Another contender for the title is VIS Talent Transfer athlete Claire Spicknall, who has emerging as one of the event’s top performers. Her impressive consistency has seen her secure top-five finishes across all the week’s events, including a standout second-place finish in the Le Mans and third across the line in her semi-final.
After clocking the fastest semi-final time in the youth men’s category, Queensland’s Charlie Churchill is shaping up to be a key player for top honours.
The rising star put in an outstanding performance throughout the Super Sprint Race Weekend, securing a top-three finish in the Le Mans, a victory in the Aquathlon, and a dominant first-place finish in the 400m Swim. With his semi-final win under his belt, he will be looking to carry that momentum on to the final.
Fellow Queenslanders Hayden Ozoux and Ryan Fistr also impressed, each taking the win in their semi-finals.
Another Team QLD member Elke Rayward has dominated the youth women’s division, securing top spot in every event across the Super Sprint Race Weekend and the fastest time in the semi-finals, establishing herself as the clear favourite for the title.
But, her teammate, Siena Picton, has been hot on her heels all week long, with second-place finishes in the Le Mans, Aquathlon, 400m Swim and further asserting herself with a semi-final victory, making her a rival for the crown.
Western Australia’s Olivia Smith, with strong third-place finishes in the Le Mans and 1500m Run, and second in her semi-final has shown she’s a one to keep an eye on too.
To view line-ups for all Super Sprint Race Weekend Finals, click here.