Gold Coast: Finishing one of the showcase events for gender equity at the Commonwealth Games, Jake Birtwhistle grabbed a boxing kangaroo flag and carried it across the line to clinch the triathlon mixed team relay for Australia.
The team of Gillian Backhouse, Matt Hauser, Ashleigh Gentle and Birtwhistle won the mixed team event at the Broadwater in 1 hour, 17 minutes and 36 seconds on Saturday afternoon, with England settling for silver and New Zealand capturing bronze.
England won the inaugural event at the Glasgow Games four years ago but it was the hosts who were too strong this time, with Gentle turning a 15-second deficit into a 39-second lead during the third leg.
“I can’t believe I’ve got a Commonwealth Games gold medal and to feel as though I gave so much to the team as well, it’s really satisfying,” said Gentle, who missed out on a podium finish in the individual event. “I’m just so glad I was able to perform for the team.”
It means the Brownlee brothers leave the Gold Coast without a gold medal, with world champion Alistair and Jonathan combining with Jess Learmonth and Vicky Holland to get the silver. The brothers missed out on the medals in the individual event.
“I thought even if I got it together it would be close. We talked through every combination last night, and we knew it would be with Australia but we didn’t pick this,” Alistair Brownlee said. “Jess had a fantastic race and that was amazing. I was a little disappointed but it was still a good race.”
The mixed relay is on the programme for the Olympics in Tokyo 2020. England won both para triathlon events, with Jade Jones winning the women’s race and Joseph Townsend winning the men’s gold.
