Just a week after being confirmed for the opening race of the T100 Triathlon World Tour in Gold Coast, reigning series champion Kate Waugh has been forced to withdraw due to injury. The British athlete, who won the overall T100 title last season, will miss the first race of the 2026 series as she continues to recover from a calf injury.
Waugh shared the news on social media, explaining that she will not be fit in time to race on the Gold Coast in just over a week. According to Waugh, the “risk versus reward” balance simply isn’t in her favor at the moment, as the possibility of aggravating the injury outweighs the potential benefit of competing.
Her withdrawal adds to a growing list of high-profile absences from the women’s field at the season opener.
Earlier, Lucy Charles-Barclay confirmed she still needs additional recovery time following leg surgery. Meanwhile, Ashleigh Gentle announced last week that she is expecting a baby and will therefore not compete during the 2026 season. Lucy Byram has also been ruled out of the Gold Coast race after suffering a hip fracture.
