Star Triathlon Trio seeking London podium

By

June 15, 2012

Since making its debut at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Australia’s women have won a triathlon medal at every Games, and if the star trio selected today have anything to do about it, that trend is set to continue.
 
Olympic bronze medallist Emma Moffatt will make her second Olympic Team alongside her Beijing teammate Erin Densham. The pair will be joined by debutant Emma Jackson in what will be a formidable team hunting the podium.
 

At just 20 years of age, Jackson is the youngest member of the team and has made huge grounds in the senior ranks since taking out the Under 23 World Championship title in 2010.
 
“I was very happy when I found out I made my first Olympic Team and relieved to know all my hard work and results have paid off with my dream of representing Australia at the Olympic Games coming true,” Jackson said.
 
The young Queenslander posted some impressive results in 2011 including a second place at the ITU World Championship Series in Hamburg and a near podium finish with fourth at the ITU World Championship Series on the Olympic course in London.
 
Jackson started the year with a win in the OTU Oceania Championship in Devonport (TAS) before some disappointing results in Sydney and San Diego but is confident that she has what it takes to be at the top of her game in London.
 
“I am honoured to have this opportunity to represent Australia and I will give it my all to ensure I get the best result possible on the day,” she said.
 
“It is great to know that the selectors believe in me and my ability to perform in London. I definitely had to be mentally strong through the whole process and to keep believing in myself and to never give up on trying to make the Team.
 
“It was never my intention to be in top shape for the early races this season as my focus was always the London Olympics.”
 
The return of Beijing Olympians Moffatt and Densham is particularly exciting for Australia’s triathlon medal hopes for London. Moffatt has been posting consistent results throughout 2011 and 2012 and will be looking to find form in London to better her bronze from 2008, but it is Densham who has captured the nation with her heroic return from a life threatening heart condition.
 
The 27-year-old, who finished 22nd in Beijing, collapsed during a race in 2009 and was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia – a racing heartbeat. The condition forced her off the international circuit and required surgery.
 
She made a remarkable recovery and return to competitive racing and in 2012, burst back onto the podium taking out the ITU World Championship Series race in Sydney, the ITU World Cup in Mooloolaba and then grabbing silver in San Diego at the ITU World Championship Series round..
 
Moffatt, Jackson and Densham join Brad Kahlefeldt, Courtney Atkinson and Brendan Sexton who were announced last week.