With just under three weeks to go until the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) launches its 2026 T100 season, anticipation is already building for what promises to be a thrilling opener on Australia’s Gold Coast.
For the first time, the PTO will stage its professional races in a split format, with men and women competing at separate venues and on different dates. The spotlight at the T100 Gold Coast will therefore fall squarely on a world-class women’s field of twenty athletes – led by reigning T100 champion Kate Waugh.
Waugh returns to competition carrying the momentum of a dominant 2025 campaign. The Brit captured victories at the T100 Singapore, T100 Wollongong, and the Grand Final in Qatar, securing the overall T100 title in the process. Now, she begins a season as the world number one for the first time in her career.
“I can’t wait to get back on the start line in Australia,” said Waugh ahead of the opener. “I’ve never started a new season as a World Champion or the World number one. So it’s a bit surreal in some ways, but I’ve had a great break, put in a lot of hard work and I’m looking forward to seeing where I’m at in the first race of the season on what looks an amazing course on the Gold Coast.”
Full start list:
- Kate Waugh (GBR)
- Julie Derron (SUI)
- Taylor Knibb (USA)
- Ashleigh Gentle (AUS)
- Ellie Salthouse (AUS)
- Sara Perez Sala (ESP)
- Hanne De Vet (BEL)
- Lotte Wilms (NED)
- Alanis Siffert (SUI)
- Natalie Van Coevordan (AUS)
- Daniela Kleiser (GER)
- Marlene De Boer (NED)
- Lena Meissner (GER)
- Imogen Simmonds (SWI)
- Katrine Graesboll Christensen (DEN)
- Nicole Van Der Kaay (NZL)
- Jessica Fullagar (GBR)
- Danielle De Francesco (AUS)
- Regan Hollioake (AUS)
- Chloe Hartnett (AUS)
