Javier Gomez:

• Currently second in the world series
• “It’s been good training here on the Gold Coast… Everything has been going pretty well… I’m happy with my performance [considering] I was stuck with an injury – it wasn’t a very good year for me. But now I’m in second place and I won European so I’ll just keep on racing…”

Brad Kahlefeldt:

• 8th place
• Q: No stranger to the Gold Coast… Is it an advantage competing in your own backyard?

“Yeah for sure. I only live down the road, 3km away from here… It’ll [been] a pretty exciting build up, I guess… Unfortunately I had a bit of an accident in London but I’m at the start line now and it all looks pretty good…”

• Had a fantastic start to the series this year, coming second to Bevin Dockedy in the closest finish in Triathlon history.
• Q: Do you think there’s still a chance you can make it to the grand final?

“Look, I’m obviously not going to win it now but I’m going to go in to the race the best I can. I’d love the top five, but yeah it’s been a good season… [I’ve had] a couple of second places, and a second in ________... [I’m] obviously missing a few London points… but I’m happy to be here and to have a good time racing.”

• Injury setback – cut foot right to the bone.

“It’s almost fully recovered now. I still got to do a few thing before racing, like strapping and stuff, but it was pretty serious and most thought I wouldn’t even be here racing - even I’m surprised… They’ve got really good surgeons up there and it’s just an exciting time to be [a part of] the action at the start line and I’m ready to go.”

Maik Petzold

• 4th position

• Q: You’re certainly no stranger to the Gold Coast, is it good to be back?

“Yeah it’s a really good feeling. It’s my second home and I really appreciate [being] in Australia and to race here.”

• Q: What’s your view on the course?

“It’s a good course. It’s a tough course. We’ve had better conditions and it’s just perfect.”

• Currently in 4th place just behind Kris Gammell from New Zealand with a chance of moving up the ranks and overtaking him on Sunday.

“Yeah well I’ll try. There’s [only] 66 point between us, so if I come 5th, he’ll come 6th, or vise versa… But every race is different… For the rest of the season the plan is to coach to be in peak shape here.”

Alistair Brownlee

• Currently the leader – holding pole position – after four fantastic wins.

“It’s amazing. If someone told me at the beginning of the year that I’d win four I would have thought they were joking. Even after the first one, I didn’t have any attitude or think I’d [go on to] win another three, but each one has been a completely different race and I’d definitely have to say that along the way as well… I’m just happy to be in the position I’m in and I’m looking forward to racing on the weekend.”

• Competing on the weekend.

“I think the most exciting thing about mens racing is that one of 20 people could win it, that makes it exciting and slightly frustrating as well… It’s in interesting course… We’ll just see what happens.”

• Staying on the Gold Coast.

“We just moved from south Gold Coast to Surfers [Paradise]. We haven’t been doing much training really, just getting used to the time zones and the temperature, and having a good time.”

Courtney Atkinson

• “It’s good to be home. Normally we [the Australians] would have an advantage basing here in Australia, but it’s probably engaged us a little bit this year because we’ve been in Europe like the rest of the guys and only got back down to Australia recently. So we’ve got the home ground advantage which could be a great plus but I think we’re all on a pretty even playing ground.
• Results of the series could set the pace in Madrid.
• Q: Are things looking positive Sunday?

“I’ve had my up and downs. It’s probably one of my better seasons. I think I’ve raced more this year than I have in the past four years – I think I’ve done about 13 of the big distance races, so it’s been a big year for me and to finish up here on the Gold Coast is something special – it’s not often, these days, family and friends get to see us race, except on TV, so I’m looking forward to getting out there and having some fun… When you’re comfortable in your own environment it’s always going to be an advantage, I think. On the flip side, it can be a bad thing – maybe you’re a bit too relaxed you’re at home, in your own bed, kind of cruise down to the race, and sometimes it doesn’t really feel like it’s the World Championships. I think the home me crowd is definitely going to out way everything else. I know when you’re racing at home here on Australian soil, you really put in that little bit of extra effort. And hopefully there will be a big crowd turn-out on the weekend to see our serious trainers battle it out with the rest of the world.”