Macca's Predictions For Super League Triathlon Jersey

Chris “Macca” McCormack, two-time Ironman World Champion, Co-founder and Chairman of Super League gives us his predictions on the real female contenders for this season.

Nicola Spirig – As she races more her experience builds and with this comes results. Athletically capable of anything. After consistent top performances in the run legs at SLT Jersey last year Summer begins this year’s event in the Red Jersey. She lacks a little bike skill that could expose her, but overall, Summer is someone her competitors should be hyper aware of. A Flawless competitor across the board. Class personified.
Ashleigh Gentle – Member of the Bahrain Endurance 13 team and the only female ITU short course racer to make the prestigious line up, she is a dynamic runner and former no. 2 in the world. Winning the ITU Grand Final on the Gold Coast, an Olympian in Rio, and Commonwealth Games Gold winner this year she really is Australia’s rising star. Vulnerable in the swim her ability at SLT distances with mixed formats is untested but suit her aggressive racing. In a footrace she is hard to beat. Questions remain around her dynamic running ability and the stop start accelerations this racing will entail but as a bike runner she is one of the best in field.
Katie Zaferes – Katie has already proven herself at SLT racing having won last year’s event in Jersey. Her form has continued in 2018 and she picked up second place in the ITU WTS World Championship two weeks ago. Katie’s weapon is sheer physical strength, backed up with intelligent racing and raw aggression. A racer at heart and with the balance she brings to SLT she has to be one of the favourites to win the entire SLT Championship Series!
Summer Cook – As she races more her experience builds and with this comes results. Athletically capable of anything. After consistent top performances in the run legs at SLT Jersey last year Summer begins this year’s event in the Red Jersey. She lacks a little bike skill that could expose her, but overall, Summer is someone her competitors should be hyper aware of.
Vicky Holland – Flawless, experienced, and a winner at heart Vicky is at the very top of the British Triathlon scene with an ability to turn any situation into a race win. Following a busy race calendar in 2018 two weeks ago she collected the Gold Medal in the ITU WTS World Championships coming from behind with sheer grit and determination to take the title in the final race. Vicky is, in my opinion, the favourite to win SLT 2018/2019 if she is committed to doing so which I’m sure she is!
Cassandre Beaugrand – This is what the future of women’s triathlon looks like. She is, without question, a superstar in the making. Recent success has proven her run speed and tactical awareness which will allow her to race shoulder to shoulder with the big names of SLT. This style of racing will suit her and her run can carry her to victory. She is incredibly talented but can she translate that into immediate SLT success?
Georgia Taylor-Brown – Long considered a rising star in British triathlon, following some years off due to injury, she’s really coming into her own in 2018. A top finisher in ITU WTS rankings this year, she has the talent to bring those performances to SLT. Look for her to control the racing where she can, she’ll be very close to the pointy end of all races.
Claire Michel – Getting stronger and better year-on-year her athletics background sets her up for multi-day racing. She’ll stick with the field in the swim and bike, then come blazing through on the run. Claire loves travelling to races across the globe, which is great training for the demands of the triathlon calendar. A fearless racer, she is poised to do big things this season.
Joanna Brown – Racing since 2010, Joanna has recently had a bit of a renaissance with a new coach and training location that’s allowed her to migrate to the big league with impressive racing all year. Joanna’s expertise in short, sharp triathlon relays will translate well into the frenzied world of SLT and set her up for success. She now has the belief she can win, which is key in SLT and could make the difference come race weekend!
Emma Jeffcoat – Improving each year as a triathlete, her background in Australian surf lifesaving will suit this mixed-format racing. Keep an eye out for her on the swim – she’s well suited to SLT’s short, punchy distances. If she can find her run legs she is capable of anything. An aggressive frontrunner, if she gets the right opportunity she will take it.