TRIATHLON
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Wollongong competitor Grace Musgrove continues to show why she has a stunning future in the world of triathlon.
Musgrove, 20, is originally from Mittagong and now trains with New South Wales Institute of Sport coach Jamie Turner in Wollongong.
She is a member of Australia's National Talent Academy and her next big event is in Devonport, Tasmania, in a fortnight.
Musgrove, a former NSW champion swimmer and cross-country runner, won her first national title on debut at the Geelong ITU Sprint Triathlon Oceania Cup last Sunday. She finished second to Kiwi Sophie Corbidge but was crowned Australian champion as the first Aussie to cross the line.
In only her second year in triathlon and in her first elite open race and the first time in Geelong, the former NSW age group 5km and 10km open-water swimming champion and under-20 Australian cross-country champion is one of a group of emerging young Australian stars.
Discovered by Turner at the 2010 Australian Day Aquathon in Wollongong, she initially declined his invitation but joined his talented young squad after finishing her year 12 studies.
"People kept telling me I could do it but I am still shocked that ... in my first elite triathlon I have won the Australian championship," Musgrove said.
"After winning those swimming events I turned my attention to running and I always wanted to be as runner and not a triathlete.
"But when I saw Jamie's squad of Natalie Van Coevorden, Tamsyn Moana-Veale and Ashlee Bailie and Charlotte McShane I went and asked him if I could join."