Britain’s Kate Waugh put in a masterful swim, bike and run performance Down Under to take the tape at the Wollongong T100 Triathlon. Enjoying the moment at the end of the run and smiling back to the cheers of a big crowd on the Gong in Australia, Waugh recorded her second T100 win of the season, following her maiden victory at the Singapore T100 at the start of the year.
The Brit was over 5-minutes ahead of Australian Ashleigh Gentle, who also put in a strong performance to finish second in front of roaring home support at this week’s 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals Wollongong.
But perhaps the biggest post-race smile was on the face of Spain’s Sara Perez Sala, who fresh off having won the 2025 World Triathlon Para Championships earlier in the day with Susana Rodriguez, claimed her first ever T100 podium by finishing third.
The 37-year-old Spaniard races for an incredible third time over the weekend, when she takes the start line to guide again at 0745 tomorrow morning.
Aussie Ellie Salthouse also deserves a mention for a T100 season’s best fourth place.
KEY QUOTES
Winner Kate Waugh (GBR)
“That definitely wasn’t easy, but I was in a very positive mindset for the whole race. It was a really fun day out and I felt strong for the whole race. I had a strict game plan coming in and stuck to it.”
“Tactically, the swim was a bit different today. I was a bit nervous coming into this one to take the swim into my own hands, because I’m used to having feet to follow. But it’s a long day out there so I just tried to keep focused and there was really great support out on course which was really nice.”
On her success in the T100 this season:
“I never expected any of this, but I’ve gained so much confidence doing the T100 Tour and it’s been so refreshing working with everyone on the T100 team. They look after us so well so I’m just enjoying every race and very happy to have two wins now and have podium-ed at every single event.”
On the T100 Race To Qatar:
“It’s going to be a tough one. I hope the girls who raced last weekend in Kona are recovering Ok, because it looked like they had tough days. It would be really great to have a strong and competitive race in Qatar. I think that’s what everyone wants to see. I’ve definitely got some things to work on. To bring my best self to Qatar.”
Second placed Ashleigh Gentle (AUS)
“Oh my god. That was the best T100 race! It was absolutely incredible, so I’ll definitely have to thank all the Aussie fans out there. The run was wall-to-wall with fans. The swim start was incredible. Even on the bike, every opportunity, people were out there cheering and I just feel so privileged to be able to race at home in Australia.”
“It’s definitely not my best performance or feeling on the race course, but I just love how so much how people have rallied behind this T100 in Australia. There’s so many people in Australia who have got behind what the PTO and T100 World Tour are doing here and I just feel the love at home here in Australia. It’s also important for all the amateur athletes and the so many kids out there in the crowd supporting. It means so much to me. So I’m just so thankful for them.”
On coming second:
“Kate is racing exceptionally well at the moment. She’s on another level. She swims so well. Rides extraordinarily well on the bike and probably ran the fastest run split today so it’s really hard to compete with the level she’s racing at at the moment. So full respect to her.”
Third placed Sara Perez Sala (ESP)
On her best ever T100 finish:
“I don’t know how to explain because I never thought it would be possible to be on the podium. It’s amazing. I raced this morning and I didn’t know how my body would respond in the afternoon and I felt a lot of pain in my legs on the bike. So when I started to push I felt the pain and cramps in my legs. I tried to recover on the turbo and then rested for 10 minutes on the bed at the hotel but I don’t know whether it was good or not but I tried to relax and enjoy the race.”
Where it ranks in her best triathlon performances:
“I think it’s my best day in triathlon. The last two years I’ve not raced at the highest level. Today I felt good and I did my best run ever and the bike was good so I’m very happy with my performance. I think I’m improving and I’ve had a new coach since June. So everything is good. I cross my fingers to be on the start list for Dubai T100.”
On the amazing crowds:
“When you smile, people cheer more.”
HOW THE RACE UNFOLDED
The women’s race got underway with Lotte Wilms (NED) leading the field around the 3-lap, 2km swim course off Wollongong’s Cove Beach. On lap 3, Singapore T100 winner Kate Waugh (GBR) and Sara Perez Sala (ESP) came through with the Spanish athlete leading from the water in 23:42.
Getting out onto the 80km bike course, it didn’t take long for Waugh to surge off the front, the Brit setting a pace that no-one else could follow. In the chase group, Natalie Van Coevorden (AUS) was handed a 1-minute penalty for drafting.
By the bike’s half-way mark, Waugh’s lead was up to 1:17 ahead of Hanne De Vet (BEL) and Perez Sala. Wilms then moved up into the lead chase position with the Belgian and Spanish athletes following, Ellie Salthouse (AUS) alone in 5th.
Coming towards the end of the bike, that order remained, with French Riviera T100 winner Ashleigh Gentle (AUS) having moved up to 6th and in striking distance of the podium with her stellar running pedigree.
After a speedy transition, Waugh got out onto the challenging 18km run course with a lead of 1:33, De Vet 2:18 back with Perez Sala, Salthouse at 3:44 and Gentle at 4:33.
By halfway, Waugh was holding a lead of 3:20 to Perez Sala, while Gentle had moved up 3 places into 3rd on the course at 4:45 back – but making time on 2nd – with De Vet, Wilms and Salthouse over 5 minutes back.
As the race neared its conclusion, Gentle continued to eat through her deficit, overtaking Perez Sala on the final lap to move into 2nd.
Waugh was simply unbeatable though – the Brit looked imperious, showing no sign of the day’s effort. Crossing the line in 3:26:55, Waugh took the Wollongong T100 victory by over 5 minutes, scoring 35 points to put herself a clear 1st in the T100 Race To Qatar standings.
Ashleigh Gentle’s second place netted the Australian 29 points and put her 3rd in the T100 Race To Qatar with Perez Salas securing her best ever T100 position in 3rd.
Salthouse came home 4th – bettering her 5th place in the French Riviera T100 and moving her up 5 places into 10th in the T100 Race To Qatar. De Vet rounded out the top 5 with her best T100 finish to date.
