Seventeen years strong and not slowing down, the “Big Husky” Triathlon Festival has grown to become one of Australia’s most loved and iconic long course races and 2022 is no exception.
Held on the shores of Shoalhaven, in Jervis Bay Marine Park, the much-anticipated Australian Championships for Long Course and Aquabike, which double as qualifying events for the 2022 World Championships and 2023 Multisport Championships in Ibiza, will be decided on Sunday.
Well-known for its crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches, Husky is ready to host almost 6,000 competitors from across Australia for an action packed Multisport Festival, the biggest Husky on record.
Yoga, Aquathon, Ocean Swim, Fun Runs, TRI Kids, Super Sprint, Sprint, Classic, and Ultimate and Aquabike racing are all part of the four-day multisport schedule of events.
Loved by the nation’s finest athletes - elites and Age Groupers alike – Sunday’s professional race is stacked with long course specialists, many of the field backing up racing from the weekend’s IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong.
In the men’s, top ranked Steven McKenna will rematch against Nicholas Free and Tim Van Berkel, a week on from Geelong where the trio finished 2nd, 4th and 5th.
McKenna ran his way into second place finishing in 3:43:11 ahead of Free in the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast Champion (3:46:44), and long course legend Van Berkel (3:47:28). In the mix is also Caleb Noble who was third across the line at last years’ Husky Triathlon.
In the women’s field, Grace Thek looks well placed to lead the pack as the top ranked professional female, but it’ll be her first back-to-back race, also coming from the podium at Geelong where she finished 3rd with a time of 4:15:45 behind internationals Lotte Wilms (NED) 04:07:41 and Amelia Watkinson of New Zealand in 4:11:17 on Sunday.
Thek will line up against Kate Bramley, Tracy Clinch, Chloe Hartnett and Lisa Marangon at Husky, sharing with fans she’s looking forward to racing the Australian Championships at Husky.
“Stoked to take bronze at Geelong 70.3 today, 5 podiums from 5 years racing here. Haven’t cracked the top step yet but I’ll keep trying.
“Stellar field of pro women to push me all day. Congrats to Lotte Wilms on a stellar day and great to see Amelia Watkinson back racing again after injury and putting down a bike split I could only dream of. Congrats to all who raced, great to see so many familiar faces out there!
“My body feels good after Geelong so thought why the heck not give it a crack… it is the Long Course Aussie Champs after all! It’s my first time racing back-to-back half distance events so hopefully my legs come to the party on Sunday! Excited to head back to such a beautiful area and a great event put on by the team at Elite Energy.”
Australian Championships racing will get underway on Sunday morning at 6.30am for Long Course and 7am for Aquabike.
ULTIMATE | Swim 1.9km, Bike 90km, Run 21.2km
This year’s event is an Australian Championships event, and a qualifier for 2022 Multisport World Champs and 2023 Multisport World Champs Ibiza.
AQUABIKE | Swim 1.9km Bike 90km
The Aquabike event is a qualifier for 2022 Multisport World Champs, 2022 World Triathlon World Champs Abu Dhabi, and 2023 Multisport World Champs Ibiza
START LISTS
Husky Long Course Festival 2022
Follow us on: