Noosa Triathlon 2024: Australian great Ashleigh Gentle bids for ANOTHER win in iconic race

Australia’s iconic Noosa Triathlon is currently very much in its Ashleigh Gentle era, and the middle-distance superstar will bid to continue that utter domination in the 2024 showpiece, which takes place on Sunday (November 3).

Gentle has won the famous event 10 times in the last 11 years and heads into the race as the athlete the beat once again. The 41^st running of Noosa will see 16 elite women battle for the title, and Ashleigh is excited to be back racing at home after fearing she may not be able to line up.

She said: “I’m really glad that it’s lined up again, I didn’t know if it would at the start of the year because the year has been packed with a lot of races but a few weeks ago it became clear that Noosa might work and to be honest I’m just happy that I can come back and race at home.

Gentle on Noosa 2024 challenge

“It will be a really good hit out before heading to Dubai [for the T100 Grand Final] in two weeks, it will be good to get some speed in the legs at what is obviously my favourite race in the world in Noosa.”

Gentle claimed her first Noosa Triathlon title back 2012 and the event has been a key event on her calendar ever since.

“Myself and my whole family have made it a tradition, it’s a part of what we do, all my family is coming to support me, she revealed.

“It’s an event that I know we can all see each other at and be together, and also enjoy the atmosphere and the good vibes that the Noosa Tri brings. To be able to do that with my family every year is really special, it’s always hard to think about not doing it so I’m super happy that it can work again this year.

Speed concerns for Ashleigh?

Gentle knows that she’ll have a target on her back this weekend but is looking forward to the challenge posed by her competition, and the Olympic distance (1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run).

“At the back of my mind I’m thinking that I hope I’m still fast enough, it’s half the distance that I’m used to now,” she said.

“I still feel like I’m really strong and still include a lot of speed in my training. I feel like the Olympic distance is such a fun distance and there’s obviously great competition, the whole podium from last year is back along with some other great additions so I think those girls will be well and truly sick of my winning and want to try and put their name on the honour roll, but I’m up to the challenge and will try to stop them.

“It’s fun and it’s a great opportunity for me to race some of the short course girls, they keep me on my toes and I’m hoping I’ve still got enough speed in me.”

Who will rival Gentle in Noosa?

Sophie Malowiecki and Richelle Hill joined Gentle on the Noosa Triathlon podium last year and will both be out to make sure that the 10-time champion doesn’t have it all her own way this weekend.

Another athlete set to challenge for the title is Sydney’s Natalie Van Coevorden, who recently made her Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

“No-one has beat Ash yet, so I have to keep coming back after all my second places,” said Van Coevorden.

“Once you come to Noosa and see the hype of it all, you are basically coming back for the rest of your life. I love racing here in Australia and having all the support out on course is something I think brings out the best in me. It’s always a great event to bring the professionals and age groupers together on a special course here in Noosa.”

Following her Olympic Games appearance Van Coevorden has now switched her focus to IRONMAN 70.3 racing and will line up at the Qatar Airways IRONMAN 70.3 Melbourne next week.

“I’m feeling prepared, and I think that was something I have been lacking all year. Last year, I got a flat tyre towards the end of the bike after missing Noosa Triathlon for many years so hopefully this year I can come back with some redemption in what looks like a good field. I’m using Noosa as a practice race to see where my training is at leading into IRONMAN 70.3 Melbourne next weekend.

“Nearly seven weeks ago I raced IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast, and I was very under prepared post the Olympics. It’s actually been great having this big block of training and building up my confidence in an unknown area for me.”

Sunday’s race will also have an international flavour, with five overseas athletes mixed in amongst the field, with Lotte Wilms from the Netherlands, Sweden’s Anna Bergsten and Kiwi duo Rebecca Clarke and Nicole Van Der Kaay, a two-time Olympian, all set to race.