Heel surgery will prevent the USA’s Olympic triathlon gold medalist and two time world triathlon champion, Gwen Jorgensen, from competing at the 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals in Wollongong
Jorgensen’s fond memories and strong connection to the Illawarra began in 2012, joining the Wollongong Wizards training squad and using the local training facilities as a base for her two World Triathlon Championship wins in 2014 and 2015.
“Wollongong is like a second home for me and my husband Patrick, we spent four years there. The people in Wollongong were amazing and very welcoming and besides driving down the opposite side of the road, it really felt like home to us.”
“Wollongong is such a beautiful place to host the final and I know that the city is going to do a great job. I was really looking forward to returning this year, but it was important to have the surgery now to prepare for 2026 and beyond. I will miss not being able to return and racing but will definitely be there in spirit, cheering everyone on from afar,” she said.
“World champs are special and it is different, way different than a regular race. As the last race of the season, everyone really builds up for it and it is ‘the’ focus. To have the final in Wollongong, is pretty cool and I know the locals will come out and watch and cheer everyone on. The course is spectacular going up to the lighthouse and back and there are so many great places for spectators to line the course.”
Other former Wollongong Wizards who are competing in the World Triathlon Championship Finals are Aussies Aaron Royle, Ash Gentle (in the T100 event) and Canadian Tyler Mislawchuk.
