Historic hat-trick for Anderson, Caldwell breaks through at Australian Junior Super Sprint Championships

25 Jan 2025

Photo Credit: Bec Ohlwein

Queensland’s Aspen Anderson and New South Wales’ Jack Caldwell have taken the titles of Australian Junior Super Sprint Champions at the Super Sprint Race Weekend.

Australia’s premier youth and junior triathletes delivered stellar performances across four action-packed days of racing at the iconic – culminating in the thrilling Super Sprint Finals on Saturday.

Anderson’s win marks her third Australian Junior Super Sprint Championship victory, equalling Ashleigh Gentle’s record for the most titles at the Super Sprint Race Weekend.

“To match someone like Ashleigh Gentle is crazy,” Anderson said.

“I’m really happy with that. I had a really good swim which set up my race. I rode solo and run solo but the girls behind put up a good fight.”

Queensland teammates, Hannah Pollock and Caitlyn Garratt, filled the second and third spots on the podium, completing a Maroon-dominated top three.

“I love all of them, they’re such great people and I’m just really happy to be amongst it all,” Anderson said.

“To have them alongside me on the podium in a Queensland one-two-three is great.”

With the 2025 World Triathlon Junior Championships set to take place on home soil in Wollongong, Anderson says she’s eyeing a spot on the Australian team, eager to put the disappointment of her debut in Torremolinos, where she was forced to withdraw due to a medical issue, behind her.

I’m really hoping to get a bit of redemption for Junior Worlds this year in Wollongong and I’m really grateful to get a start for the World Cup in Napier, so hopefully I’ll jump in the deep end there and see how we go with the bigger girls.” Anderson said.

Caldwell claimed his maiden Australian Junior Super Sprint Championship title in a thrilling showdown, edging out Tasmania’s Jack Woodberry, the pair pushing each other across the entire Super Sprint Race Weekend. Victoria’s Oscar Wootton rounded out the podium in third.

“I don’t know if its really sunk in yet, the feeling when I crossed the finish line was amazing,” Caldwell said.

“I had to go to a really dark place there on the run to get home because I knew Jack Woodberry would come really hard.

“He’s an amazing athlete and I knew it would be a tussle all weekend. I hadn’t raced him yet because I had an injury last season, so I said to Jack on the start line ‘I think this is the first time we’ve versed each other.’ I cant wait for more battles with him over the season – its going to be great.”

Buoyed by his stellar performance at the Super Sprint Race Weekend and with the 2025 World Triathlon Junior Championships set to take on home ground in Wollongong, Caldwell has his sights firmly set on earning a coveted spot on the Australian team.

“I’m so hungry for a Worlds spot at home and I think everyone from the juniors will be pushing hard for that.”

In the Youth Women’s Final, Queensland’s Elke Rayward capped off a flawless weekend, winning every single event at the Super Sprint Race Weekend to claim the title of Australian Youth Super Sprint Champion. Queensland teammate Siena Picton secured second place, with Western Australia’s Olivia Smith completing the podium in third.

In the Youth Men’s Final, Queensland’s Charlie Churchill delivered a standout performance to secure the Australian Youth Super Sprint Championship title. New South Wales’ Jake Barritt fought hard to take second place, while Churchill’s Queensland teammate Hayden Ozoux rounded out the podium in third

For the complete results from the Super Sprint Race Weekend, click here.

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