Non Stanford Bids For Opening Day Medal Boost For Wales

By Rob Cole

As most of Wales is tucked up in bed on Wednesday night, Team Wales captain Non Stanford will attempt to kick-start the Welsh medal surge on the Gold Coast in the women’s triathlon.

Four years ago the former women’s world champion was denied the chance to compete in Glasgow through injury. Since then she has finished fourth at the Olympic Games in Rio and will have a medal very much in mind to inspire her team.

In 2014 there were two medals for England as Jodie Stimpson struck gold and Vicky Holland came home behind Canadian Kirsten Sweetland to take bronze. But can anyone beat Bermuda’s Flora Duffy this time?

 The 2016 and 2017 ITU World Triathlon Series World Champion, Duffy is one of the biggest favourites of all 17 sports at these Commonwealth Games when the race stars at 00:31am on Thursday morning (Live on BBC 1).

Even though the 30-year-old Duffy crashed out of the Abu Dhabi race recently, her front running style will test the will of everyone who wants to challenge her for the gold medal. Expect Stanford to be in the chasing pack.

England’s Jess Learmouth has kept Duffy company in previous races and gone on to get among the medals on the world circuit. She will surely join H0lland, Stanford and Sophie Coldwell in bidding for a podium finish.

Stanford is also due to take part in the Triathlon Mixed Relay on Saturday 7 April (4.01am UK time). The Team Wales quartet has had to be revised after Liam Lloyd was withdrawn through injury and replaced by Chris Silver.

“Obviously it is really hard to take, being unable to race at the Commonwealth Games. However, I’m sure that my team mates will represent Team Wales to the best of their ability,” said Lloyd.

Silver will join Iestyn Harrett, Olivia Mathias and Stanford, in the Welsh Triathlon Mixed Relay team.