Triathlete pair to fly flag in Canada

Albany triathletes Dermot Buckley and Katherine Hancock will represent Australia later this year after the pair qualified to compete at the World Triathlon Grand Final in Edmonton, Canada.

Buckley will compete in the 65-plus men's age group in both the sprint and Olympic distance triathlons, while Hancock will take part in the event for a third consecutive year when she tackles the 30-34 female age category over the Olympic distance.

For Buckley, who will take on the best in the world for the first time, it is sure to be a memorable experience.

"It's great to be in (the team)," he said.

"It all came as a bit of a surprise, but I am going to enjoy myself.

"I love the sport, there is such a positive atmosphere around triathlons."

Buckley qualified for the final by finishing second in both the sprint and Olympic-distance events at the State championships last year.

He finished second overall in his 65-69 male age category in the recently completed Telstra Triathlon Series spanning five races.

The 66-year-old has returned to the sport seriously after entering triathlons competitively years ago, including finishing the New Zealand ironman.

Buckley has completed two Sydney to Hobart yacht races and also played and coached State league soccer.

He will train intensively in the lead-up to the event and said recovery and nutrition during that time were important.

Hancock will pull on the Australian colours for a third straight year after qualifying through her performances in triathlons in Perth, Tasmania and Victor Harbour in South Australia.

The physical education teacher at St Joseph's College said she was itching to take another crack at the event and improve on her performance in London last year.

"A top 20 would be awesome," she said.

"I was 41st out of 115 in my age category last year.

"I have never been to Canada.

"It will be a good challenge."

The 31-year-old is training across 10 sessions a week in preparation for the event.

A quiz night will be held on Saturday night to help Hancock fund her trip to Canada and a percentage of the money raised will also be donated to Multiple Sclerosis Albany.

The pair will set off for Canada later this year, with the event held from August 26 until September 1.