Jack Willis admits his journey to the sharp end of World Triathlon Championship Series racing has lacked the dramatic breakthroughs enjoyed by some of his rivals.
But after finally securing a career-best eighth place in Yokohama earlier this season, the British triathlete believes his steady, year-on-year progression is beginning to deliver the rewards.
That result was bookended by two separate punctures that robbed him of the chance to build more momentum and we sat down with him recently to talk about 2026 so far and what lies ahead, starting with WTCS London this weekend.
“I’ve had quite a mixed season,” Willis told us, explaining: “I’ve done five races and only managed to finish three. I’ve had punctures in two others – two different wheels, two different tyres, two different scenarios.
“So it’s been a bit frustrating.
“But I was really pleased with Yokohama. Top eight was a big step for me.”
More importantly, the result answered a question that had lingered over previous WTCS performances.
“I’d been close to that level before but I’d always seemed to fade a little bit towards the back end of the 10km run.
“So it was really positive to put down a really good 10km split.
“It’s given me confidence that if I’m in that position coming off the bike then I’ve got the ability to go with the front guys and see if I can push for an even higher result.”
Progress built year by year
Unlike some athletes who burst onto the international scene, Willis feels his career has followed a far steadier path, albeit with a consistent upward trajectory.
“For me it’s been much more of a linear progression.
“A lot of my friends and training partners have had really steep progressions at certain points.
“Whereas mine has felt a little bit more linear.
“But it’s been enjoyable trying to build on the pieces every year.
“And while I’m still improving, I’d like to carry on doing it and see how far I can go.”
That patient approach now comes with a clear target.
“The Olympics is still definitely the ambition.”
With the qualification period for Los Angeles now underway, Willis knows every performance carries increasing significance.
“It’s just starting to be the time where the results you have from now on are starting to impact selection.”
Britain’s strength pushing everyone forward
Competition for those Olympic places has rarely been stronger.
Willis believes the depth among Britain’s men has reached a level he has not previously experienced during his career.
“It’s probably the most depth we’ve had since I’ve been racing at this level.
“We’ve got more people wanting to race than we have starts and I don’t think that’s ever been the case before for the British men.
“It’s a really good competitive dynamic.
“Everyone has different strengths and everyone’s pushing each other on.”
He says the friendships remain once training or racing ends: “Everyone wants to beat each other. But everyone’s good mates. You can have a bit of banter before the race and then once you’re racing, you’re racing.”
Keeping the focus on short course
Like many athletes of his generation, Willis is intrigued by the opportunities presented by T100 and longer-distance racing.
But, for now, he believes Olympic success demands complete commitment.
“I’d love to do some of the longer-course stuff.
“But if you want to go to the Olympics, I feel like you’ve got to be so all-in on the short-course side of racing.”
He hopes to explore those opportunities eventually, but only when the timing is right. There might be the opportunity to dip his toes in the water later this year but he adds: “For me, if I’m going to do it, I want to do it properly.
“I’d want to make sure I have the right set-up and fully focus on it.
“I definitely have the ambition to do that.
“But I want to give a good account of myself.”
For an athlete whose career has been built on steady gains rather than sudden leaps, that measured philosophy appears unlikely to change any time soon.
And as that Yokohama top 10 suggested, Willis may yet discover that patience has been his greatest strength all along.
