A month ago in Abu Dhabi was the start of the 2016 ITU World Triathlon Series. The US had two women and two men finish in the top 50 of the event. Renee Tomlin was the top American finishing in fifth place just 52 seconds behind winner Jodie Stimpson of Great Britain. Tomlin will be one of nine US women competing in Australia. Kaitlin Donner is the other American who was in the top 50 in Abu Dhabi where she finished 21st. Last year in this event Gwen Jorgensen, Sarah True, and Katie Zaferes went 1-2-3 and all are back competing again this year as well. The field is certainly full of US women  who are capable of a top three finish in this event.

On the men’s side the US has only five competitors, Joe Maloy is the top returning finisher from Abu Dhabi where he was 49th and within five minutes of the racer winner. Jarrod Shoemaker is the top returning finisher from last year’s Gold Coast event where he finished 22nd.

The race begins Friday night in America at 7:36 PM ET for the women and 10:36 PM ET for the men.