Reigning Australian Cross Triathlon Champion, Hannah-Lee Young, returns to the TreX Snowy Mountains this Sunday, fired up to defend her crown and kick-start a season in which she’s aiming to make XTERRA history.
After a stellar victory in 2024, she enters this year’s Australian Cross Triathlon Championships determined to conquer the challenging course set against the spectacular backdrop of Lake Crackenback.
“In Australia, this race is also the biggest race of the year for cross triathlon so as the defending Australian Champion and a role model of the sport, it’s important to support the event and connect with our off road triathlon community,” Young said.
“I have such good memories from my race last year, I felt so happy and strong prior to the start of the race and had my partner and family there supporting.
“This year I have made a lot of changes and it’s always challenging with the Australian Championships being the opening race of the season, so I am excited to try and channel my race from last year and see where my fitness is at.
“I know the field will be strong this year as the girls keep on getting better and better, but I will do my absolute best out there to try and defend my title.
“I love the familiarity of the place and using it as a good gauge to see my improvements year to year. It’s a fun course and the run at the end is very challenging on the body.
“I also just love coming to this area as I have such wonderful memories of the Snowy Mountains, the landscape is so different and the air is so crisp. It’s a refreshing change after a hot summer at home in Queensland.”
This weekend’s Australian Championships are the first one step toward Young’s ambitious goals for the year.
She’s aiming to make history as the first Australian women to finish in the top 10 of the XTERRA World Cup rankings after committing to the full eight-race circuit this year.
“To achieve this goal would mean so much to me as it will be a reflection of the hard work myself, my coach and my support network and team around me have put into the season,” Young said.
“Ultimately, I hope it inspires others to go out and chase big dreams and go after what drives them!
“As XTERRA continues to grow the fields are getting larger and the racing is very exciting, especially with the short-track race format being live streamed on YouTube. Its giving great exposure to the sport and in my opinion, it is extremely exciting to watch.
“I’m very passionate about the sport of off-road triathlon and unfortunately we do not have that many cross-triathlon races held in Australia. For me to improve as an athlete it’s important to race overseas to experience different race environments and the unique challenge some of the terrain presents.”
Over 150 athletes will take to the TreX Snowy Mountains course as the 2025 Australian Championship season officially begins, with titles up for grabs in both elite and age group categories.
The elite field is set to feature some of Australia’s top cross triathletes, like last year’s men’s silver and bronze medallist Tom Fisher and Daniel Luke, who will be hungry for the top spot this time around.
On the women’s side, Young will be joined by last year’s silver and bronze medallists, Laura Gillard and Lucie van der Schalk, who are both back and ready to battle for the top spot once again.
Samuel McNaughton, last year’s 25-29 men’s Australian Champion, steps up to the elite ranks, while Belinda Pitt (30-34 women), Nerida Higgins (45-49 women), Julie Kael (50-54 women), and Kerrie Gentle (55-59 women) are all returning to the course determined to defend their Australian Age Group Championship crowns.
Three-time XTERRA World Champion, Solenne Billouin – widely regarded as the most dominant athlete in off-road triathlon – adds extra layer of excitement to the event.
Although the Frenchwomen won’t be eligible for the Australian Championship title, her inclusion in the field will certainly raise the level of competition and offer an exciting experience for spectators.
Young, who has spent the past five weeks training alongside Billouin, is eager put into practice the lessons she’s learned from the seasoned champion as both prepare to kick off their seasons.
“It’s fantastic for the event and the sport to have Solenne racing this weekend. She is a powerhouse and an incredible athlete,” Young said.
“She has taught me so much over the past few weeks, particularly about mindset and there have been many moments we have been discussing topics in the sport where I think ‘Wow, the mindset is the difference between being average and being extraordinary” – it’s been really powerful.
“She’s also a weapon in the kitchen and has been keeping us fuelled for training by baking lots of banana bread.
“Having her knowledge and expertise, particularly from past XTERRA World Cup seasons, has been invaluable in planning my own season and I look forward to implementing what I have learnt into my upcoming races.
“I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by some incredible women within this sport who inspire me and motivate me to be my best, it’s really special and something I don’t take for granted.”
To be eligible for the Australian Championships titles athletes must hold a current AusTriathlon Standard or Premium membership by Thursday midnight prior to the event.
To learn more about AusTriathlon Membership, click here.
To learn more about the TreX Snowy Mountains, click here.
To learn more about the Australian Championships, click here.
