Africa Triathlon

Australia’s top triathletes met with the media today at the pre-race press conference for the Mooloolaba ITU Triathlon World Cup.  Although not racing tomorrow, Emma Snowsill attended and talked about her off-season in South Africa and injury keeping her from racing.  Joining the Olympic champion at the press conference were: two-time World Champion Emma Moffatt, Under23 World Champion Emma Jackson, last year’s Mooloolaba winner Brad Kahlefeldt and 2009 winner Courtney Atkinson.

Emma Snowsill:
“(The injury) is something I’ve probably had before.  I’ve just got a bit inflammation in my ankle. Unfortunately this time of year is not the time to be pushing an injury.  It just needs to recover and unfortunately the two worst things is hill running which is kind of a little unavoidable on this course.  It just needs to be strapped still for running and that’s just something I can’t particularly race with and I need to make sure that it’s 110% ready to go by Sydney and that I’m not carrying anything through the start of the season let alone the entire season.”

“Training is going where I’d like it to be and the last few days I’m very much itching to be out racing. It’s one of those things where it’s better to be over cautious at this time of year and it’s becoming a very important time of year this season for us that we have to race so well, so consistently throughout the season for Olympic qualifying points.”

“I was very blessed to have a great four months of training in very hot conditions (in South Africa).  It was a great change of scenery for me, the Gold Coast is home and that’s where I train but I needed something to refresh myself and some way to get myself mentally prepared for another tough couple of 18 months.  The last two base seasons have been very difficult with injury and illness and this season it’s been really good in terms of putting in a solid base.”

Emma Jackson:
“It’s a big step up for me being in the international elite field, it’s my first world cup for the year, actually my first time in Mooloolaba, so I’m looking forward to it.”

“It’s a very tough field out there on Sunday but I think Emma (Moffatt) will be one of my main competition so I’m looking forward seeing how I go.”

Emma Moffatt:
“I missed this race last year so I’m excited to be able to be here to race it again, I didn’t really enjoy watching the other girls, it was a bit tedious wanting to be out there.  But I’ll be out there this year, going to give it my best.  I had a great season last year so hopefully I can do that again and aiming for London.”

“Six out of the top twelve here, so that is a very impressive field so it’s going to be hard to win a race, I didn’t win one last year so it’s going be tough. Lucky little Emma (Snowsill) pulled out but nevertheless, still a lot of girls out there racing.”

Brad Kahlefeldt:
“It’s a big year and it’s nice to do a race on our home turf.”

“This is no doubt the strongest World Cup field this year.  Javier (Gomez) is here as well and everyone is looking to him to raise the bar on the sport but there are lots of guys here who can push the pace.”

Courtney Atkinson:
“Put it simply, there is no better way than to test yourself against the world number one.  Tomorrow’s all about getting out there and racing and to have a good idea of how you’re going and worst-case scenario, gives you a lot of things to work on.”

“I wouldn’t be doing this without being able to involve my family, that’s my team.  Other people have coaches, physios and everything else and I have my daughter and that makes me insane or keeps me sane.”

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