Wales' Jenkins and Stanford get set to compete in women's triathlon

  • Wales

Helen Jenkins and Non Stanford will both be looking to keep Great Britain's medal rush going when they line up for the women's triathlon this afternoon.

The event, which takes place at 3pm (BST) on the penultimate day of the competition in Rio, sees three British athletes vying for glory.

Jenkins, 32, and Stanford, 27, will be joined on the start line by Vicky Holland, with all three considered to be genuine podium contenders.

For Helen Jenkins, this afternoon's race represents another shot at an Olympic success - four years ago in London she narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fifth after a build up hampered by injury. This time, there's less pressure on the three time Olympian, who currently sits sixth in this year's World Triathlon Series rankings.

Great Britain's Helen Jenkins (2nd left) during the bike stage of the Women's Triathlon during London 2012 Credit: PA

Stanford, from Swansea, has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the sport since converting from cross country running during her university course in Birmingham. Earmarked for success by Olympic legend Dame Kelly Holmes while still a teenager, Stanford became the first woman to win world titles at under 23 and senior level.

Now, together with Jenkins, Stanford is fancied to be in with a shot of a podium finish and will challenge the strong favourite - the USA's Gwen Jorgensen.

It's already been a week to remember for British triathlon, with the Brownlee brothers securing a British one two in the mens' edition.

A British woman has never won a medal in this event... but there's every chance that may change this afternoon.