Ulverstone triathlete grabs bronze at Commonwealth Youth Games

A blistering run leg ensured Tasmanian triathlete Jack Latham claimed bronze at the Commonwealth Youth Games. But the news wasn’t as good for our cyclists at the world championships. Catch up here.

Ulverstone triathlete Jack Latham is in disbelief after winning bronze at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Tobago. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images for Commonwealth Sport )

A blistering final run leg propelled Ulverstone triathlete Jack Latham to a bronze medal in the men’s race at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago.

The 17-year-old Cradle Coast Triathlon and Multisport Club member highlighted the run as his pet leg beforehand, and showed why by surging onto the podium.

Latham (30.38) finished the 375m swim, 10km cycle and 2.5km event 51 seconds behind Jersey’s Luke Holmes (29:47), with Scotland’s Alex Robin second (30:03).

“I put a lot into this sport, and it’s all paying off. I’ve got the job done, the medal’s coming back to Australia - what else can you ask for,” Latham said.

I”t’s been the best experience ever racing here for my country for the second time.

“It’s been a long trip coming here and it’s been a surreal experience, an eye-opener to see what this side of the world is like. This whole race and the experience has just brought so much joy.”

Speaking to The Mercury before the race, Latham said it took some time to acquire a taste for triathlon after he made the switch from surf lifesaving.

“At one stage early on in triathlon I really hated the sport, I just got dragged along by my dad because he was part of the committee,” he said.

“As the years went on I got more into it, and when I got my first taste of national racing at Devonport in 2019 I decided I wanted to give the sport a crack.

“It’s a very short race so whoever’s tactically smart will be able to perform well on the day.

“I’d like to think my hopes of winning are just as good as anyone in the race field.”

Jack Latham checks out his bronze medal. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images for Commonwealth Sport )

It capped off a strong day for Australia’s triathletes, with Queenslander Aspen Anderson earlier securing gold in the women’s race.

“It was such a great race, it was so fun, and I’ve never raced anything like that before,” Anderson said.

“I really enjoyed it all. We came from the Australian winter to this weather today and it was a bit of a shock to the system but I think I pulled it off today.”

Latham will also compete in the mixed relay events in the early hours of Wednesday morning (AEST).

A full wrap of how Australia is faring at the Youth Commonwealth Games can be found HERE.

Jack Latham (right) competing at the Commonwealth Youth Games. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images for Commonwealth Sport )

Meanwhile, Hobart teen Felicity Wilson-Haffenden’s world championships campaign in Glasgow has got off to an unfortunate start after she crashed out of the junior women’s road race.

The reigning road race and time trial national champion slid off negotiating a corner in heavy rain to finish 65th.

Her injuries will be monitored before she is scheduled to race in her pet event, the individual time trial.

Elsewhere at Glasgow, Launceston’s Josh Duffy was part of the Australian line-up which lost the bronze medal ride to New Zealand, while fellow Launceston product Georgia Baker featured in Australia’s fifth place finish in the women’s team pursuit.