A change in events pays off for Brisbane triathlete Ellie Salthouse as she targets the World Championships
Photo by RIC FREARSON
A CHANGE in events appears to have paid off for Ellie Salthouse after a series of race wins to start the year.
The Carina-based professional triathlete made the switch from ITU racing to half distance races late last year and already has two victories to her name in 2016 after taking out the Gatorade Series and the Challenge Melbourne events.
Salthouse, who is aiming to qualify for the World Championships at Mooloolaba in September, said the wins gave her extra confidence heading into upcoming events overseas.
“I just wasn’t getting the results I wanted in ITU racing but I wasn’t ready to give up the sport so I switched distances, which appears now to have been the right move,” she said.
“The Challenge Melbourne was my first win in the half distance category so I was really happy with that because it had a great field as well.
“The Gatorade Series isn’t as competitive but it was still great to get that win as well. I just feel a lot more confident moving forward now after my performances so far this year.”
Ellie Salthouse.
Salthouse said there were not many differences in her training for the longer distance races.
“You train in the three disciplines as well as doing gym, so it’s not that different, the only thing is I do more mileage in my sessions now but they’re at a lower intensity,” she said.
“I still do between 20 to 30 hours per week, which does get a bit taxing on the body at times but I make sure I look after myself with massages and things like that.”
A former member of Carina Leagues Triathlon at the Clem Jones Centre, the 23-year-old now trains in Colorado and will head to the USA next week to compete in more events to help her qualify for the World Championships.
“I have an event in California first before I head to Colorado to train with my coach again,” she said.
“I just have to accumulate a certain amount of points in my events to get to the World Championships and I’m pretty confident I can do that.”
Salthouse is also an ambassador for the Still I Rise Foundation, a charity started by former professional basketball player and testicular cancer survivor Daniel George which helps emotionally support Australian families affected by the disease.
Article by Brayden Heslehurst, Quest Newspapers
