On Sunday, the Australian Championships for Long Course and Aquabike will take place on the shores of Jervis Bay Marine Park. 

The Australian Age Group Championships are also qualification races for the 2024 World Triathlon Multisport World Championships in Townsville, making them a crucial part of the triathlon calendar for those dreaming of wearing the green and gold at home next year.

Triathlon enthusiasts from all over Australia are expected to converge on Huskisson for the Shimano Husky Triathlon Festival. This much-loved and iconic event promises to be an entertaining spectacle with over 5,000 athletes competing in various triathlon and multisport events across the festival.

The Aquabike Championship will see competitors swim 1.9 km before completing a 90 km cycle leg. The Long Course Championship (Ultimate), on the other hand, will feature a 1.9 km swim, a 90 km cycle leg, with a final two lap 21.1 km run following the shoreline of Jervis Bay Marine Park towards plantation Point. 

Adding to the excitement of both races, double selection points are on offer and eligible Age Groupers who place in the top five in their age group category can seek automatic qualification for Team Australia headed to Townsville in 2024^.

In the pro fields, Ellie Salthouse, Australia’s third-ranked professional female (and #24 in the world, PTO), will wear bib number one while Penny Slater, who finished second in 2022, will also be a contender to claim the top spot on the podium. Both Salthouse and Slater finished first and third, respectively, at the recent inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Tasmania.

In the Men’s field, all eyes will be on last year’s podium place getters who are all set to return for this year’s event. Defending Husky and Australian Elite Long Course Champion Caleb Noble along with Tim Van Berkel, and Mitchell Cunningham will be leading a field of 22. 

Noble will be one to watch with some impressive performances already in 2023 - including 2nd at IRONMAN 70.3 Tasmania and 4th place at the last weekend’s Challenge Wanaka. He is no stranger to taking the tape in Husky and will be motivated to defend his title for another year.

The Elite Men’s field also includes Nicholas Free, who has proven to be a serious challenger over the 70.3 distance and will be looking to make amends following a tough start to the year at IRONMAN 70.3 Tasmania just a few short weeks ago.  

Racing gets underway at 6.30am AEDT for the Australian Championships.



^Athletes must meet eligibility criteria outlined in Triathlon Australia’s Australian Age Group Multisport Team Selection Policy available at triathlon.org.au