Mixed Relay medals for Gentle and Kanute

Jul 16, 2018

Ashleigh Gentle (AUS) and Ben Kanute (USA) both played pivotal roles for their countries in the ITU Triathlon Mixed Relay World Championship in Hamburg which saw both on the podium. France – gold, Australia – silver, USA – bronze.

Australia’s 2017 WTS silver medallist Ashleigh Gentle set Birtwhistle up in an impressive third leg after debutant Natalie Van Coevorden started for the Australians.

She handed over to a revitalised Rio Olympian, Newcastle’s Aaron Royle who laid it all on the line to keep the Australians in the hunt.

“We worked together really well as Team Australia and that paid off,” said Gentle, “You have to fight for every second and we saw what can happen with Jake’s final sprint.”

Ben Kanute took the baton on the second leg after a brilliant start from Kirsten Kasper. Kanute then joined forces with Johnny Brownlee (GBR) and Dorian Coninx (FRA) to hunt down Germany’s Jonas Schomberg as he handed off to Katie Zaferes.

Kevin McDowell anchored for the team and looked set to have the silver sewn up, but an explosive Jake Birtwhistle (AUS) made up 30 second over the final 1.5km run to out sprint him and relegate the US to bronze.

1. Team France 1:20:06
2. Team Australia 1:20:49
3. Team USA 1:20:51

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Lauren Parker Leads Bahrain Victorious 13’s Medal Haul at World Championships

Lauren Parker Leads Bahrain Victorious 13’s Medal Haul at World Championships

Oct 20, 2025

The Bahrain Victorious 13 captured an impressive medal haul at the World Triathlon Championships in Wollongong, Australia this weekend.

Lauren Parker led the campaign, winning two medals including her fifth paratriathlon world title.

The paratriathlon races opened the elite competition on Saturday, where Parker once again proved untouchable. She led from the front, exiting the 750-metre swim first, hammering the 20-kilometre handbike leg with the day’s fastest split, and then powering through the 5-kilometre wheelchair run to cross the line 70 seconds clear of her nearest rival.

Unbeaten all year, Parker’s home victory carried extra meaning as she reclaimed the crown she relinquished last season.

“Everyone was so supportive out there and it definitely made me push a little bit harder,” Parker said post-race. “I wanted to get back on top again and I really worked hard for this one and I’m just happy to get it done.”

She also revealed her next sporting ambition: to qualify for the Winter Paralympic Games, with ongoing training in cross-country skiing and biathlon.

On Sunday, Parker added to her tally with a silver medal in the Para Mixed Relay World Championships, helping the Australian team to a podium finish.

In the men’s elite race, Vasco Vilaça placed fifth to secure the overall World Triathlon Championship Series bronze medal, returning to the world podium for the first time since earning silver at the one-day championship in Hamburg in 2020.

Emma Lombardi also delivered a standout performance, claiming bronze in the women’s race – her best finish of the season – and vaulting seven places to 11th overall in the Series standings. She swam into the pointy end on the 1.5-kilometre swim alongside compatriot Cassandre Beaugrand, then attacked on the 40-kilometre bike to lead onto the 10-kilometre run where she battled against the eventual winner and series champion Lisa Tertsch and a hard-charging Bianca Seregni to hold onto the final spot on the podium.

Beaugrand, who had stayed in the lead pack throughout the swim and bike, was forced to withdraw on the run to conclude her season ranked seventh overall.

The results in Wollongong wrap up the Bahrain Victorious 13’s short course season. The team now turns its attention to middle distance racing with the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Marbella, Spain and Ironman 70.3 Bahrain on the horizon, as well as the T100 Tour’s final two stops in Dubai and Qatar.

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