Courtney Atkinson, 31 (Gold Coast) has capped off his season with a win and installed himself as the new ‘king’ of Noosa at the Noosa Triathlon over the 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run.
I’ve got no hesitation in saying he’s going to be our next gold medallist in London
An appreciative crowd turned out to see Courtney win his third successive title, only the second man in the event’s history to do so.
“It’s special now,” Courtney said after the one hour 46 minute and 54 second victory. "There was probably more anxiety today than in the previous two years because of the competitors I had to race against.”
"This was actually difficult for me because since Craig’s (Walton) retired, at times, he's helped me and I'd call him a bit of a mentor who has pointed me back in the right direction."
“Courtney is the most talented athlete in the world and he just hasn’t reached his potential and I’m the first to tell him that,” Walton said.
“By far he’s the best athlete in the world, the most talented, and if he just does the right training I’ve got no hesitation in saying he’s going to be our next gold medallist in London, he’s just got to get it together.”
“My tactics were ideally to get rid of Kris (Gemmell). Noosa is too fun to battle someone in a sprint finish. If you win you want to enjoy it here. It’s a great place,” said Courtney. “At the 3km mark I thought ‘help’, I’m going to pay for this. I thought if I could get away it might just play with their heads.”
A further 8000 triathletes were also part of the 28th Noosa Triathlon competing as individuals or part of a team.
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