World triathlon champion Helen Jenkins is convinced world junior champion Kirsty McWilliam will be stood next to her at the start line at London 2012.

Jenkins, 25, made a solid if unspectacular start in her defence of her world crown, coming 14th at the first World Championships Series leg in Tongyeong, Korea.

McWilliam, 19, was crowned world junior champion in Vancouver last year and picked up European junior silver in Lisbon.

And Jenkins is tipping the Aberdeen ace to shine in the years to come as Great Britain look to claim their first ever Olympic triathlon medals at London 2012.

"I think someone like Kirsty McWilliam has got every chance of making the breakthrough in time for London 2012," she said.

"I don't think anyone would have expected Hollie Avil to qualify for the Olympics. She was a junior and that just shows that you can never discount anyone.

"There's excellent support team in the UK and so if you've got the talent there are the right pathways in place to make sure you can get to the top."