THREE Olympic medallists have been confirmed as the first tranche of world class athletes to be competing in Jersey next month as the SuperTri League returns to the Island for the first time in four years.
Jonathan Brownlee, Georgia Taylor-Brown and Cassandre Beaugrand are all due to line up at Elizabeth Marina on Sunday 21 September.
Earlier this year, Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel confirmed that government funding of £100,000 would be provided for the event to secure its return to Jersey and, in doing so, bringing some of the world’s top athletes back to these shores.
Supertri was first staged in Jersey in 2017, with a grant of £200,000 from the Tourism Development Fund. As part of a “two-plus-three-year” deal, further events were held over the next two years, and also in 2021 after the 2020 staging was called off as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham, a keen triathlete himself, was a key figure in bringing the series to Jersey initially as he was Economic Development Minister at the time.
However, despite being described as the “spiritual home” of the series having hosted the very first event, Jersey was axed from the calendar in 2022 after scheduling issues and struggling for sponsorship.
Three-time Olympic medallist Brownlee has established himself as British triathlon royalty alongside his older brother, Alistair.
Brownlee achieved a bronze medal in the London 2012 Olympics, won silver in Rio 2016, and took home a gold medal from Tokyo 2020 as part of the mixed relay team – which also included fellow Supertri competitor Georgia Taylor-Brown.
Taylor-Brown is the most decorated athlete in Supertri history as a three-time Supertri champion.
Despite suffering some major injuries during her career as a triathlete, she has battled to become British Champion, World Champion, Commonwealth Champion and Olympic Champion as part of the mixed relay team alongside Brownlee.
Taylor-Brown also achieved a silver medal in the individual women’s triathlon at the Tokyo Olympics, despite getting a flat tyre during the race.
She said that Jersey was a “big reason” why she came back to Supertri this year.
Cassandre Beaugrand is the reigning Olympic champion in the women’s individual triathlon, and she became a star in France after winning gold in her hometown of Paris in 2024.
She also took home bronze in the mixed relay event in Tokyo 2020.
Supertri CEO Michael D’hulst said: “Triathlon here is more than a race, it totally brings the Island to life.
“With routes that embrace marina views and tight turns, Jersey is the perfect backdrop for Supertri and ideal for athletes and spectators looking for fast-paced action and a fun race atmosphere.”
Supertri League Jersey will kick off at 2pm from the Elizabeth Marina on Sunday 21 September. Spectators can secure their free tickets here.
The RBC Race for the Kids will take place in the morning before the main event.
Islanders of all ages and athletic abilities can take on a 2.5k, 5k or 10k challenge to raise money for Jersey Child Care Trust.
Those wanting to participate in the RBC Race for the Kids can register here.
