Shimano Husky Australian Triathlon Championship Women’s Preview

The women’s pro race in the Shimano Husky Australian Triathlon Championship this Sunday is one of the strongest and deepest fields we have seen at Husky. This race is as hard to pick as the men’s race.

It is great to see Annabel Luxford on the start line. Luxford was the 2005 ITU Triathlon World Cup series champion and the silver medalist at the 2005 ITU Triathlon World Championships. In 2004, she was the ITU under-23 World Champion and has a long list of triathlon achievements. Now a Mum and a non-drafting triathlete she won’t be here unless she is in reasonable shape. Luxford is no stranger to the South Coast of NSW, visiting regularly to spend time with family in this part of the world.

One of the favourites for this race is Ellie Salthouse who is a multiple winner over Sunday’s race distamce. We counted at least 11 wins around the world over this distance. Since Salthouse joined the Siri Lindley stable and moved away from short course she has found her place in the sport and excelled.

Salthouse won the recent Hell of the West triathlon ahead of another of Sunday’s competitors, Amelia Watkinson. The difference was 5 minutes with Watkinson giving away time on the swim and run. We’d expect to see her go hard to erase the deficit.

Courtney Gilfillan has had some success over the distance with an 70.3 win in Japan a couple of years ago along with other podiums.

Laura Armstrong has a strong bike/run combo and should be in the mix for a podium. In 2019 she ran herself in to 3^rdat the Sunshine Coast 70.3 in a strong field.

Helena Hayes had a strong race in Batemans Bay recently when she took out the women’s Ultimate Solo title with some very strong times across all legs.

Renee Kiley is another strong competitor with a 9:23 Ironman result in Cairns in 2020 to place 3^rd overall in the women’s race. A race which was won by Amelia Watkinson. Notably in this race another competitor who will be racing on Sunday, Kylie Simpson, posted a 2:57 marathon.

Laura Armstrong

Courtney Gilfillan

Helena Hayes

Renee Kiley

Chloe Lane

Annabel Luxford

Lisa Marangon

Ellie Salthouse

Kirra Seidel

Kylie Simpson

Penny Slater

Shannon Sutton

Grace Thek

Amelia Watkinson