Jake Birtwhistle, Daniel Watkins, Zack Gilmore, Stewart McSweyn and Eddie Ockenden take Tasmanian sport global

Fighting his way back into the race from 32 seconds down at the end of the swim, the Launceston 24-year-old put on the chase through the bike and run to mow down the leaders and finish in 54:31.

Compatriot Matt Hauser stepped up to the plate in his first WTS appearance for the season, backing up his recent world cup wins at Chengdu and Nur-Sultan by putting together an outstanding swim, bike and run to finish seventh in 54:09.

Fellow Aussies Brandon Copeland and Matt Roberts struggled to find room among the big packs, finishing 34th and 47th, respectively, while Ryan Bailie was unable to finish after crashing on the bike.

The WTS heads to Hamburg next weekend with athletes racing in both individual events and the coveted mixed team relay world championships.

Tasmanian Daniel Watkins and his fellow Aussies were unable to capitalise on their stunning Friday form on the first day of finals at the third International Canoe Federation slalom world cup in Slovenia.

Watkins, of Hobart, Jessica Fox and Ros Lawrence all missed their finals in Ljubjlana but will get a second chance with Fox and Lawrence backing up in the women's C1, and Watkins taking on the K1.

Watkins again showed he is one of the fastest men on the water, but picked up six seconds in penalties in the C1 semi-final to finish 15^th. His raw time would have qualified him in fourth place.

Joining Watkins in the K1 semi-finals on Sunday will be Lucien Delfour, while Noemie Fox will join sister Jessica and Lawrence in the semi-finals of the C1.

Ljubljana is the third of four world cups, to be followed by a world cup final. The circuit will take a two-months break after Slovenia with the series continuing at the end of August in Markkleeberg, Germany.

Legana's Zack Gilmore helped Pro Racing Sunshine Coast make a flying start to their racing block in North America, with five podiums from six starts at the Tour of America's Dairyland.

Gilmore finished fifth as teammate Taj Jones won their first race in Wisconsin.

The global schedule of King Island's Stewart McSweyn also takes him to the US where he is scheduled to race two miles at the Eugene Diamond League meet.

Eddie Ockenden was in the Kookaburras team that cruised into the FIH Pro League final by putting six goals past Great Britain.

Hobart's triple Olympian saw GB's early lead wiped out as Jacob Anderson's lightning hat-trick was followed by second-half goals to Jeremy Hayward, Blake Govers and Tim Brand.

The final on Sunday evening will be played against the winner of the other semi-final between Belgium and the Netherlands.

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