State pride on the line at Mixed Relay Championships

There will be more than just line honours on offer at the Australian Mixed Relay Championships in Devonport this Sunday, with Elite and Junior athletes pulling on their State colours in the battle for the National Championship title. Adding a new spin to Sunday’s events, athletes will compete in tea

Adding a new spin to Sunday’s events, athletes will compete in teams representing their home ‘State of Origin’ as they vie for top honours.

Expected to don on the maroon for Queensland in the race for the Australian Championship is 2017 Mixed Relay World Champion, Matt Hauser.

Speaking to Triathlon Australia, Hauser said that the State of Origin theme adds an exciting new dynamic to Australian Mixed Relay racing.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been to Devonport full stop, so I’m really looking forward to getting down there and having a crack at the individual race on the Saturday before the Relay on Sunday,” Hauser said.

“The State of Origin element throws in a new dynamic…There’s always been a bit of banter between the coaches and athletes with the New South Wales and Queensland rivalry, and then chuck in WA and SA and VIC and we’ve got a bit of a competition on our hands. I’m really looking forward to getting out there and having a bit of fun with it.”

“[The race plan] is just to go out there and try to attack the race like I would at any competition. This is just another opportunity to learn and grow and an opportunity to practice those skills and execute them as I would against any international team.”

With a depth of relay talent across the Elite and Junior ranks, including Commonwealth Games Mixed Relay Gold Medallists Hauser (QLD) and Gillian Backhouse (NSW), Youth Olympic Games Mixed Relay silver medallists Charlotte Derbyshire (SA) and Josh Ferris (NSW), Sunday’s racing is shaping up to be an exciting affair.

Teams for the Australian Junior Championships will be selected by the State Team Policy, while teams for the Australian Elite Mixed Relay Championships will be compiled by state of origin following the completion of racing on Saturday.

The Mixed Relay format is set to make its Olympic debut in Tokyo later this year, with the Australian Championships placing the exciting new format front and centre as athletes of all levels continue to develop and refine their relay skills.

The Devonport Triathlon will take place on February 27-28 2021, with five major Australian Championships taking place across the weekend. To keep up to date with all the latest results across the two-day event, keep an eye on the Triathlon Australia social media channels and website.