Australia’s Matt Hauser and Great Britain’s Jess Fullagar are cherishing impressive victories at the world’s largest Olympic-distance triathlon.
The former backed up his recent World Triathlon Series Championship triumph with a strong display to “finally” win the Noosa Triathlon men’s race, while the latter dominated the women’s race in her first attempt at it.
Hauser hit the finish line in 1hr42min38sec, a minute ahead of American John Reed, with former champion Luke Willian third.
“I’m feeling elated. I finally got a win here in Noosa,” he said.
“It’s been a few years coming to this race and there’s such a great crowd here so it’s good to get on the top step.”
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Hauser became the first Australian male to win a World Triathlon Series title in 20 years at Wollongong a fortnight ago.
“It was hard to kind of keep the motivation for the last two weeks leading into this race, after the high of Wollongong but, for me, this event holds a special place in my heart,” he said.
“(I’ve been) coming here since the age of 12, 13, 14, getting autographs and photos of the likes of Aaron Royle, who retired out here. It’s just really special to come back here every year.”
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Fullagar won in 1hr56min08sec, more than three minutes clear of Richelle Hill, with Paris 2024 Olympic Games gold medallist Cassandre Beaugrand claiming third place.
“This is my first experience of Noosa and I absolutely loved it,” she said.
“I’ve never experienced anything like this event (with) 8000 people to be out there at the same time. (It’s) something quite unique. There were people everywhere on the course, and music as well. I just loved.”
The Noosa Triathlon was supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland.
