Two-time Olympian Emma Moffatt receives boost ahead of Rio triathlon selection

EMMA Moffatt says a podium finish and her boyfriend’s selection in the Australian kayak team has seen her confidence and motivation soar ahead of next month’s Rio Olympic triathlon trials.

Australian Emma Moffatt congratulates winner Jodie Stimpson after her win in Mooloolaba.

IT was short and sweet for Emma Moffatt but the former world champion says a podium finish in the sprint distance Mooloolaba World Cup along with her boyfriend’s selection in the Australian kayak team heading to Rio has seen her confidence and motivation soar ahead of next month’s Olympic triathlon trials.

The Beijing bronze medallist, who will be the first female Australian triathlete to race at three Olympics if she secures selection, says she has been buoyed by her second place performance in the early season race in Queensland.

Australian Emma Moffatt congratulates winner Jodie Stimpson after her win in Mooloolaba.

“It was my first race since November and it has shown me that my training is definitely going in the right direction,’’ said Moffatt, who finished second to British triathlete Jodie Stimpson in the race.

“I feel a lot more confident now heading into the Olympic trial that everything is going really well.

“I’d love to do another Olympics and I feel I’m in a good place tight now.’’

Moffatt said boyfriend Daniel Bowker’s nomination to the kayak team has also provided her with additional incentive ahead of the World Championship Series race on the Gold Coast on April 9, which also doubles as an Olympic selection for Australian athletes.

“I want to be at the Olympics with him, preferably as a teammate,’’ Moffatt said.

Moffatt was a major medal contender heading into the last Olympics in London but crashed out as teammate Erin Densham raced to a bronze medal.

“It still hurts,’’ Moffatt admitted.

“It definitely motivate me to keep going in triathlon.

Emma Moffatt during the World Cup race on the weekend.

“I might have stopped a bit sooner if that hadn’t happened. It’s definitely unfinished business’’

Moffatt and Ashleigh Gentle, who finished second in the world championship series opener in Abu Dhabi last week, have emerged as Australia’s top contenders for the automatic berth on offer in the Gold Coast race next month.

Only the first Australian home _ and in the top 120 _ will earn an automatic selection.

“That’s the one you want. It’s automatic so there are no politics or anything,’ she said.

Originally published as Two-time Olympian Emma Moffatt receives boost ahead of Rio triathlon selection