Emma Jeffcoat’s triathlon career officially began in Devonport a decade ago, earning her professional licence by winning the Australian Age Group Open Championship.
Since then, she has gone on to represent Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and established herself as one of the country’s most tenacious athletes.
This Saturday, Jeffcoat returns to where it all began, looking to build on the momentum of an exciting new chapter in her career.
Devonport remains a cornerstone in her career – one where she has tasted victory on three occasions but also faced her fair share of challenges, including a brutal bike crash at last year’s event, all while building a lasting connection to one of the sport’s most honest courses.
“I love Devonport,” Jeffcoat said.
“I love a tough, honest race, and that’s exactly what an Olympic distance event in Devonport demands.
“Devonport is where I earned my professional license in 2014 by winning the Age Group Open National Title. Since then, I’ve gone on to race in Devonport seven times with three wins, each holding so many great memories.
“It’s a brutal race, but I think that’s what makes success there all the sweeter, so I’m looking forward to my ninth time around.”
Jeffcoat will once again line up at Bluff Beach this Saturday, taking on the Oceania Triathlon Championships as the iconic Devonport Triathlon celebrates 40 years.
Her return comes off the back of a stunning silver-medal performance at the World Triathlon Cup in Napier – her first podium at that level since 2019.
In a thrilling sprint to the line, she surged to second place, finishing just three seconds behind Canada’s Desirae Ridenour, sealing a remarkable comeback after years of injury setbacks.
“To be back on a World Triathlon Cup podium after six years of injuries and many more downs than ups was awesome,” Jeffcoat said.
“I am so proud of myself for continuing to show up and for putting in the hard work behind the scenes. I love this sport and always believed I still had much more to give.
“I’m incredibly grateful for my small team who continued to support and believe in me throughout that period, when at times I questioned whether it was time to walk away.”
Since Napier, Jeffcoat has been immersed in a training camp in Wanaka, New Zealand, under the guidance of coach Tim Brazier, fine-tuning her form ahead of Devonport.
As she builds on her strong start to the season, her focus is firmly set on consistency and capitalising on her strengths to secure another podium finish.
“We’re approaching Devonport knowing it’s a strength-based course and the first Olympic distance race of the season,” Jeffcoat said.
“I’d love to show consistency and execute to my own strengths on course with the outcome goal to be on that podium again.”
“Napier really did solidify that what we’re seeing in training is correlating to racing. It was an awesome start to the season, but it’s just that – a start.
“We’ve got a long way to go until the home World Championships in Wollongong so I just want to keep doing what we’re doing, and build throughout the year; hopefully with a strong domestic season and then to Europe with my eyes on some more World Triathlon Cups and World Triathlon Championship Series races.”
From 14-16 March, the iconic Devonport Triathlon celebrates its 40th anniversary featuring: the 2025 World Triathlon Para Series opener, the 2025 Oceania Triathlon Championships, and the 2025 Oceania Junior Triathlon Championships.
Catch all the action from the Oceania Triathlon Championships live and free on the AusTriathlon YouTube from 1:00pm AEDT.
Oceania Triathlon Championships Devonport
Saturday 15 March – From 1:00pm AEDT
YouTube
