All-Star list of women to start ITU Auckland

Friday 04 April 2014
The start of the World Triathlon Series reads like a who’s who list of triathlete stars with eight of the top 10 women set to compete in Auckland. In its third year on the WTS schedule, the hilly course promises to provide a thrilling and challenging start to the year.

Brits are back
While Non Stanford will sit out the WTS season opener, the ladies will still be well represented with 2013 world champ runner-up Jodie Stimpson stepping up to the line in Auckland. The race will also see the return of two-time World Champion Helen Jenkins, who sat out the 2013 season due to injury. Solid across all disciplines, Jenkins can do it all, making her a threat compared to other leading ladies who struggle in at least one leg of the race.

Rise of the Americans
Gwen Jorgensen didn’t just set the course for American women last year, she single handedly blazed the trail when she became the first US female to win not one WTS title, but three of them in a single season. While a crash took her out of the running for the World Championship title, Jorgensen was back in the gold business one month ago at the Mooloolaba World Cup. The American has been working on her swim and bike, which can only mean trouble for the competition, especially considering she took second in the race two years ago by saddling up the competition with the fastest run split by 41 seconds.

But this year Jorgensen might have company from her compatriots with rookie Katie Hursey bursting out of the starting blocks already this year. After collecting two World Cup titles in her first year as an elite, Hursey followed up her performances with a strong run to win in New Plymouth after finishing second to Jorgensen Down Under. Don’t count out Olympian Sarah Groff who knows how to get the job done when it comes down to it.

The hills have Haug
If the Auckland course is suited for anyone, it’s without a doubt German powerhouse Anne Haug. The small but mighty Haug has won the race the last two years despite set backs on the swim. The hilly bike is just no problem for Haug who easily bridges up from 45 second deficits time and again.

Depth of field
The women’s competition is a mixed bag in terms of who can come out on top. While there are some distinct favourites, the women feature an impressive depth on the start lists, all whom possess varying strengths. Beijing Olympic bronze medallist Emma Moffatt is a consistent performer on the women’s circuit with three podium finishes last year. Like Jenkins, she and New Zealand’s own Andrea Hewitt can push the pace in the swim, bike and run.  After taking silver in Auckland two years ago, Barbara Riveros Diaz (CHI) is well built to take on the hilly climbs. Likewise, Maaike Caelers (NED) took second last year suggesting she can shine on Sunday.

How to watch
The women’s race will start at 12:10pm local time on Sunday, April 6, while the men open their WTS season later in the day at 3:40pm local time. If you haven’t already, buy your season pass to watch the races live at triathlonlive.tv. You can also follow along live on twitter @worldtriathlon. Don’t forget to pick your podium with our new fantasy triathlon game TRIFECTA.
By Erin Greene (ITU triathlon)


Coming Triathlon Events View all

Patagonman

Puerto Chacabuco, Chile

Oxman

North Canterbury, New Zealand

Fodaxman

Nova Veneza State of Santa Catarina, Brazil

HercUlean Triathlon

Konark, Puri, India

Challenge Israman

Eilat, Israel

Saharaman

Taghit, Béchar, Algeria

CHALLENGE Sir Bani Yas

Sir Baniyas Island, United Arab Emirates

Kiwiman Xtreme

New Plymouth, New Zealand

Strongman

Miyakojima, Okinawa, Japan

Challenge Taiwan

Taitung City, Taiwan, China

Ironman Arizona

Tempe, Arizona, United States

Ironman Cozumel

Cozumel, Mexico

Ironman Western Australia

Busselton, Australia

Ironman New Zealand

Taupo, New Zealand

Ironman African Championship

Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Ironman Taiwan

Penghu, Taiwan, China

Ironman Texas

The Woodlands, Texas, United States

Ironman Australia

Port Macquarie, Australia

Ironman Lanzarote

Canary Islands, Spain

Ironman Brazil

Florianopolis, Brazil

Oil Man Texas Triathlon

Montgomery, TX, United States

Challenge Xiamen

Xiamen, China

Hervey Bay 100

Hervey Bay QLD, Australia

MiamiMan

Miami FL, United States

Challenge Canberra

Canberra, Australia

Challenge Florianopolis

Florianopolis, Brazil

BergMan 113 Kolhapur

Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India

Clash Daytona

Daytona, FL, United States

Rotorua Suffer

Rotorua, New Zealand

Alpha Win Sarasota

Sarasota, FL, United States

70.3 Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia

70.3 Riviera Nayarit

Riviera Nayarit, Mexico

70.3 Valdivia

Valdivia, Chile

70.3 Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc, Viet Nam

70.3 Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay, South Africa

70.3 Aracaju Sergipe

Aracaju, Brazil

70.3 Bahrain

Manama, Bahrain

70.3 Cartagena

Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

70.3 Western Australia

Busselton, Australia

70.3 Acapulco

Acapulco, Mexico

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

14 Athletes Take Age Group World Titles IRONMAN Hawaii Kona

14 Athletes Take Age Group World Titles IRONMAN Hawaii Kona

Tuesday 29 Oct 2024 [Triathlon News]

The best male long-distance triathletes in the world from 14 age groups claimed their respective titles at the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN® men's World Championship triathlon in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i on Saturday, October 26. More than 2,400 athletes from 85 countries, regions and territories competed in Hawai’i for World Championship glory. Below are the winners in each age group. more

Historic Day Sees Germany’s Patrick Lange Crowned IRONMAN World Champion

Historic Day Sees Germany’s Patrick Lange Crowned IRONMAN World Champion

Sunday 27 Oct 2024 [Triathlon News]

It was a race for the ages in Kailua-Kona, as Patrick Lange (DEU) broke the tape with a new course best time of 7:35:53 and was crowned the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Champion, taking home $125,000 USD in prize money. In a race that saw incredible movement throughout, it was Lange who executed his race perfectly to seal his third IRONMAN World Championship title, six years on from his last victory in Kona. more

Mike Phillips Top Kiwi At IRONMAN World Champs

Mike Phillips Top Kiwi At IRONMAN World Champs

Sunday 27 Oct 2024 [Triathlon News]

Christchurch’s Mike Phillips was the top Kiwi at Saturday’s VinFast IRONMAN World Championship men’s race in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i, crossing the line in 17th position. Phillips completed the 3.8km swim, 180km ride and 42.2km run in 8:01:11, with Germany’s Patrick Lange claiming his third world title. more

Australia’s Cam Wurf 7th At IRONMAN World Champs

Australia’s Cam Wurf 7th At IRONMAN World Champs

Sunday 27 Oct 2024 [Triathlon News]

Australia’s Cameron Wurf has finished seventh at the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i, crossing the line 7:51:26, with Germany’s Patrick Lange claiming his third world title. While Wurf is traditionally known as one of the strongest cyclists in the field it was his run that shone through on the biggest stage in the sport, moving his way up from 18th to seventh throughout the marathon. more

How To watch 2024 IRONMAN World Champs Kona Hawii

How To watch 2024 IRONMAN World Champs Kona Hawii

Saturday 26 Oct 2024 [Triathlon News]

The world’s top male professional athletes are set to go head-to-head at the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN® World Championship on Saturday, October 26 in Kona, Hawai’i. Live race day coverage will be broadcast across multiple platforms for global viewers including proseries.ironman.com, DAZN, YouTube, Outside TV exclusively for the U.S. and Canada, L’Équipe Live in France, and ZDF in Germany. In addition thanks to brand new partnerships, viewers will also be able to tune in on iQIYI in China more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.