Ryan Fisher returns to WTS for Rio meeting in Edmonton

Triathlon Australia, JULY 28, 2018 – Queenslander Ryan Fisher will complete a Rio meeting with his male teammates Aaron Royle, Ryan Bailie and Ashleigh. Gentle, when he returns for his debut in the 2018 World Triathlon Series in Edmonton this weekend.

Canada's capital will host the men's and women's sprint sevenths, as well as the WTS Paratriathlon series and a WTS Mixed Teams Relay. .

Fisher, 27, left the ITU circuit after Rio for a career on the distance of 70.3 but came back last weekend for the Gold Coast Tritons during their debut in second triathlon of the American Triathlon League.
"I have been running since the Ironman 70.3 from Rio and until now I have climbed the podium in the six events in which I have participated," Fisher said.

"But I'm delighted to return to an ITU WTS race with just under two years since my last game.

" Edmonton will be about a quarter of the time of the race compared to 70.3, so I'm looking forward to being back in a competitive and aggressive competitive style.

"After Edmonton, I still have a MLT race in Vail (Colorado) then I resume cycling TT to prepare the Ironman 70.3 world championships in South Africa. "

Fisher put his radar on Edmonton after the MLT race in Atlantic City but the delayed and canceled flights were converted to 30 hours of travel before his arrival at Edmonton.

While his teammates Rio Royle and Bailie come out of a mixed weekend in Hamburg, Australia's silver medal at the World Championship of Mixed Teams of the ITU, where Royle, Natalie Van Coevorden, the only remaining woman in Rio, Ashleigh Gentle and Jake Birtwhis It has produced a barnstorming finish to seal their second place in France.

At the Rio meeting will be added Paralympian Brant Garvey (PTS2) who will be joined by Commonwealth Games silver medalist Emily Tapp (PTWC) to lead the Australians to races [19659004] of the ITU World Paratriathlon Series. ]
They will be joined by Jonathan Goerlach (PTVI), Clint Picken and Liam Twomey (PTS4) and Josh Kbadulke (PTS5).

Garvey will face American Mark Barr, fourth at the Rio Olympics and silver medalist at the World Championships in the World. last year.

In Saturday's men's sprint race he will be Royle, currently 19th overall in the WTS, who will return to Edmonton for the fifth year in a row, where he had "a mixed bag " results.

"The added bonus of being able to run twice this weekend with the relay is exciting – if you have not noticed that I love a relay race," said Royle, a key player in Hamburg.

"A little less than a week ago, there was a short return to Hamburg, so I returned to Leeds before some quality sessions and the trip to Edmonton."

Bailie had her first DNF in Hamburg after being fractured early in the race and suffered a 10 second penalty.

"I missed a lot of time in Hamburg with my first DNF, I'm simmering on it for a few hours, but now it's time to get back to zero and go from front to back. Edmonton … ", said Bailie.

And while Birtwhistle produced another incredible anchoring leg to lead the Australians from fifth to second place in the fascinating relay relay of Hamburg, he did Was not happy with his fifth in the individual.
Birtwhistle is currently fourth on the 2389 standings behind multiple world champion Mario Mola of Spain (4641). 3133) and the South African Richard Murray (2506) with Bailie (1658) the best Australian in 12th position.

"Fifth in Hamburg was not the result for which I went, so I 'm sure. was quite frustrated, "said a determined Birtwhistle, looking for a podium in Edmonton.

Birtwhistle and Rio boys will be joined by Commonwealth Games representative Luke Willian in the men's five-man team

Van Coevorden, best Australian in 12th position in the WTS standings, will be joined by Gentle (21st). ), Emma Jeffcoat, Charlottle McShane and the former surfing surfer Kelly-Ann Perkins who made her debut in the WTS series.

The inclusion in the silver medal-winning relay team of the world championships gave Van Coevorden great confidence.

"I scored Aaron (Royle) 10 seconds from the first mark and I knew I could do nothing more," said Van Coevorden, back in the Hamburg team for the first time since 2012.

"The rest of the race was a roller coaster and Team Australia was amazing to finish second of the day.I felt privileged to be part of an event that I had I've been on the sidelines for years and have learned a lot about this new fast and short side of triathlon, "said Van Coevorden.
" And I hope to have more opportunities in the future – soon WTS Edmonton. "

Jeffcoat was part of the MLT team with Jaz Hedgeland, Brandon Copeland and Fisher in Atlantic City.

" I headed for the first round of the Major League Tri with the Tritons last weekend for the relay event mixed teams and I've had a great leg for the team and we went back 90 seconds, "Jeffcoat said.
"It was great to have fun, ride and head to Edmonton, ready for a tough start on Friday."

Located in the heart of Edmonton's beautiful William Hawrelak Park, On the edge of the famous valley, Sprint distance race promises a lot of excitement in a stacked field.

This year, WTS Edmonton will present early evening races, drawing spectators to the park for short races. Para-triathlon, elite and elite women's race will be held on Friday and the mixed relay will be held Saturday promising a busy and exciting weekend in the triathlon calendar [19659026] Start Times
Paratriathlon [Fri 27 July 13:45 local ] | Sat 28 July 5:45 AM AEST
Women [Fri 27 July 17:36 local ] | Sat., July 28 9:30 am AEST
Men [Fri 27 July 19:21 local ] | Sat., July 28 11:30 am AEST
Mixed Relay [ sat. July 28 16:05 Local] | Sun 29 July 8:05 AEST
Start List
Paratriathlon | Elite Women | Elite Men
Photo Credit: Delly Carr