Paula Findlay backs Helen Jenkins to impress at the latest WCS triathlon in Hyde Park.
Canadian star says British rival is one to watch in Hyde Park
Triathlon star Paula Findlay has backed Britain's Helen Jenkins to shine at the World Championship Series race in Hyde Park on Saturday.
Canadian Findlay has appeared virtually unstoppable since announcing her arrival on the world stage in spectacular style 12 months ago with victory in London - her debut appearance in the series.
The 22-year-old has won in Sydney, Madrid and Kitzbuhel this season to establish herself as favourite in the build up to the Olympic race in London, which takes place over the same course in 12 months' time.
However, Findlay has acknowledged that prominent in the chasing pack is Bridgend's Jenkins, the bronze medallist at Hyde Park last year and the athlete pipped by Findlay in both Madrid and Kitzbuhel.
A podium place on Saturday would see the 27-year-old become the first British triathlete to book her spot on the Olympic team, and Findlay is backing her rival to do just that.
She said: "Helen is definitely one of my main competitors. She's so strong on the swim, the bike and the run and I can honestly say I think she's a better triathlete than me, I just sneak up on the last 200 metres.
"I respect her so much, she's a tough competitor and I know she'll have the home crowd with her this year and next year, so she's one to watch."
Surprise
Findlay's run of success has taken everyone - including herself - by surprise.
However, she has not been able to run for four weeks because of a hip injury and played down her chances of yet another victory this weekend.
Of her return to Hyde Park, she added: "This was my big breakthrough race last year so I'm happy to be back.
"It's just surprise after surprise. The shock factor is dying down but I'm still equally surprised every time. The girls that I race with are so competitive and it's always a close finish.
"Needless to say I'm not in peak form for this race but I'm here just to learn for next year and do the course. I'm running pain-free but my worry is I haven't done any training."
Jenkins' form means the rest of the British team are realistically competing for the other two spots available in London, and Jodie Stimpson, Vicky Holland, Kerry Lang and Non Stanford will all hope to stake their claim this weekend.
After a superb 2010 season which included four top-10 finishes in the WCS, Holland has struggled by comparison this year as illness and injury took their toll.
She has not raced since finishing 22nd in Madrid two months ago but is fit again and looking forward to competing over the course where she finished in sixth place 12 months ago.
Excited
The 25-year-old said: "I'm not potentially at my absolute best form but I'm pretty close and I'm excited to race and get back in there.
"I just want a good solid race. If I'm honest we're really looking towards the series final in Beijing as the race where I'll be at my peak."
Meanwhile, Holland said she is trying to put thoughts of the Olympics to the back of her mind as she concentrates on trying to qualify, something she admits will be tough.
"For me there is still the matter of qualification," Holland said. "It's a hard task. We've got six or seven girls who could potentially qualify in their own right.
"I've got to do the job first and get myself qualified, and that's really my aim for this year. Then I can get really excited. But being here for this race, on the Olympic course, one year to go, you can't help but get a bit excited."
