World Triathlon Cup Napier launches Olympic year for Paris hopefuls

All eyes are on Napier this weekend, where the picturesque coastal city in New Zealand is set to host the first World Triathlon Cup of the year on February 24-25.

Serving as the starting point in 2024 for many athletes eyeing a coveted spot at the Olympic Games, a strong group of Australians with Paris plans make the trip across the Tasman.

Australia’s top two ranked women, Natalie Van Coevorden and Sophie Linn, take the start line in Napier.

Joining them are Emma Jeffcoat and Ellie Hotink, who both made strong returns to racing at the Oceania Triathlon Cup in Wanaka last weekend, securing fifth place and 15^th place finishes respectively.

Brandon Copeland, Luke Willian, Callum McClusky, and Lachlan Jones make up the line-up of Australians competing in the men’s field.

For Copeland, this weekend’s World Triathlon Cup marks his first race since the Noosa Triathlon back in November last year.

And with his eyes fixed firmly on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the 27-year-old is eager to kick off his year with a strong performance.

“I’m feeling super excited. It’s been a big preseason since finishing up in Noosa last year, so I’m really excited to get it underway.” Copeland said.

“It’s obviously a big year with the Olympics and there’ll be a lot of guys there with big hope for the season, so it’ll be good to see where I’m at.” Copeland said.

“If 12 months from now I can say that I’ve represented Australia in the Olympics, I’ll be a very happy man.”

In addition to the World Triathlon Cup, Napier will include a World Triathlon Mixed Relay Series on February 25.

Given its positioning at the start of an Olympic year, just a month before the global Mixed Team Relay qualification window for the Paris Games close, the race holds significant implications for nations aiming to meet the qualification criteria.

The Oceania Triathlon Junior Sprint and Mixed Relay Championships will also take place in Napier, with many of Australia’s brightest junior talents and rising stars featuring in the line-up.

The juniors will mirror the elites with their individual races on the Saturday, over the sprint distance of 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run, and the relay on the Sunday.

You can catch the action from the World Triathlon Cup Napier, including both World Triathlon Cup races and the World Triathlon Mixed Team Relay Series Napier, on TriathlonLive!

World Triathlon Cup Napier – Elite Men
Saturday 24 February – 4:00PM AEDT
TriathlonLive.TV

Luke Willian
Brandon Copeland
Callum McClusky
Lachlan Jones

Full Start List