Barrie heads overseas to gain triathlon experience
Barrie, 21, was selected this week in the Australian under 23 team for the ITU World Aquathon Championships on the Gold Coast on September 9 and is hoping to fill one of the three spots still available for the ITU World Triathlon Championships at the same venue later that month.
"It's all going to help me build and develop as an athlete and as a triathlete," Barrie said.
"I think (the 2.5km run/1km swim/2.5km run aquathon) will play to my strengths, with the swim being the strong leg.
"The other athletes will be going into the swim tired and fatigued and I think that will help me move up a couple of spots, or move up near the front and be in contention for a medal."
Barrie is looking forward to a Young Guns tour featuring Triathlon Australia's leading 2016 Olympic medal prospects hoping to get international experience and an opportunity to earn ITU world-ranking points.
"The first race is in Japan on July 5 and I'm definitely going over there with an attitude of nothing to lose," Barrie said.
"The other guys have had a lot more international experience than me and I think that can work in my favour and I can take a bit more of a risk while racing."
Barrie, who became a triathlete after showing promise as a swimmer and surf-lifesaving competitor, trains with coach Jamie Turner in Wollongong.
Barrie will go into the Young Guns camp on the Gold Coast tomorrow.
Following that he will leave with the squad for Japan on Thursday and compete in the ITU Asian Cup on July 5.
Next up he will go into camp at the AIS cycling base in Italy from July 6-15, before competing in the ITU European Cup in Ireland on July 18.
On July 20 he will arrive in Vitoria, Spain, where he will be based for five weeks. He leaves there for Australia on August 29 to compete at the worlds.
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