Great Britain’s men will be looking to continue their run of medal winnings in Ishigaki, Japan, this weekend following bronze medals for Tim Don and Andrew Johns in the opening two fixtures in Mooloolaba, Australia and New Plymouth, New Zealand.

Don will toe the line alongside Will Clarke, the 2006 World Under 23 Champion and fifth place finisher at last year’s senior men’s World Championships. Both will be looking for good results and vital world cup points ahead of the final British Triathlon Olympic selection race in Madrid on 25 May.

Don said: “I really enjoy racing in Japan and have had some good results here which include winning the World Aquathlon Championships in 2005. My build up towards the Olympic selection race is going well and I was delighted with my medal in Australia a fortnight ago. It should be a good race again this weekend and I hope to be up at the front end once again.”

An excited Hollie Avil will start in the women’s race, making her world cup debut at just 18 years old. She will celebrate her birthday the day before the race. Avil, from Northampton, won both the European and World Junior Triathlon Championships as part of the Corus Great Britain team in 2007 and is starting out on her transition into the senior ranks.

She will be joined by the ever improving Helen Tucker who is reasserting herself on the world stage having missed much of 2007 through injury. Having finished 13th in the opening rounds she will be looking for a top ten finish on the Japanese island.

Scotland’s Kerry Lang has also finished in the top 20 in the first world cups of the year and will be hoping for another good result, whilst Jodie Swallow aims to overcome stomach cramps that forced her out on the run during the New Plymouth race.