Despite collecting a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympic Games attention in Australia and across the world was focussed on Olympic champion Emma Snowsill, rather than compatriot Emma Moffatt. However 2009 has seen the tables turned and it’s Moffatt who heads the Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series with just the Grand Final on Gold Coast remaining. Troubles are aplenty for the Aussie with Lisa Norden, Andrea Hewitt and another four women all with a shot of landing the title; and a heel injury has also scuppered her training. An exciting final race is assured.
Profile
Name: Emma Moffatt
Age: 26
Born: Moree, Australia
Lives: Brisbane, Australia
The opening race of the year in Tongyeong was incidentally the last time Moffatt was beaten as she pushed Snowsill hard to take silver in Korea. Washington, DC saw the result reversed with Moffatt charging away from her team mate to take a resounding victory before beating again her the following week at the Hy-Vee ITU Triathlon Elite Cup where she pocketed $200,000. A further runaway victory in Kitzbühel put her firmly in the driving seat, and a gutsy ride in Hamburg to bridge up to Norden and Ryf gave her win number three of the Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series.
Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series Rankings
1 Emma Moffatt, AUS. 3140pts
2 Lisa Norden, SWE. 3020pts
3 Andrea Hewitt, NZL. 2766pts
4 Daniela Ryf, SUI. 2374pts
5 Sarah Haskins, USA. 2189pts
How Emma Moffatt can guarantee the title:
If Moffatt collects a gold or silver medal in Australia, then no one will be able to deny her a first world championship title.
If Norden finishes in the top six then Moffatt cannot be more than one position behind to stop Norden snatching the title in the final race.
If Norden finishes seventh or lower, then Moffatt cannot be more than two positions behind to prevent the world championship staying in Europe.
Alistair Brownlee first put himself on the triathlon radar when he broke through as a junior, winning the 2006 world title before finishing second a year later. 2008 saw the youngster claim his first world series podium, the u23 world title and twelfth place at the Olympic Games, having lead for much of the opening run section. The past six months of racing have seen the Brit stand on the podium in every race he has competed in, with just one loss.
Profile
Name: Alistair Brownlee
Age: 21
Born: Leeds, England
Lives: Leeds, England
Throughout the year the Yorkshireman has proved himself capable of winning in every scenario as he soared to four straight wins. In Madrid and Washington, DC he was involved in breakaways out of the swim, utilising his superior run strength to later accelerate from his rivals in the final discipline. In Kitzbühel he waited until the run before launching his deciding attack, and despite working hard in London to try and keep a breakaway ahead of the chasers, he still had the strength to hold everyone off over 10km of running.
Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series Rankings
1. Alistair Brownlee, GBR. 3200pts
2. Javier Gomez, ESP. 2849pts
3. Kris Gemmell, NZL. 2559pts
4. Maik Petzold, GER. 2493pts
5. Laurent Vidal, FRA. 2404pts
How Alistair Brownlee can guarantee the world championship title:
If Brownlee finishes in the top five in Gold Coast then no one will be able to stop the Brit from winning his first world championship title.