Lets hope this one doesn’t get weathered off! (Does anyone else sometimes wonder if this end up effecting the medals in Paris?)
As has been well documented, loads of the big names retiring from Oly distance, doing marathons, Cycling and T100 etc etc so we’re left with a bit of a depleated of star quality, start lists (particularly on the mens side)
Having said that, Wilde is on the start list and i’d be inclined to say he win this with ease, but I can remember him very early, in the year last year struggling so who knows.
Womens start list is much more interesting, quite surprised to see Spivey on there and also Gwen (what can she do this year?)
Distance: Sprint
Elite Women Saturday 14:00 local time
Elite Men Saturday 16:00 local time
Mixed Team Relay Sunday 13:30 local time
It’s so early in the year to be racing… many athletes coming off a long 2024 season… so I’m not sure if this race will really set the tone for the WTCS season.
However, what’s interesting to note with the new rules from World Triathlon that Sprint distance points = Olympic distance points for WTCS. It’s a more valuable race than usual to garner points for athletes like Wilde/Waugh that are doing both T100 and WTCS this season.
I’m pretty sure that this Sprint race will still only be 750 points. Athletes/coaches complained that the rule change re points was too short notice, as the start list for Abu Dhabi was published prior to this rule approval.
The women’s lineup is actually very exciting. Tertsch, Lehair and maybe - just maybe - Jorgensen on the podium? Looks a lot like a running race to me… unless crosswinds change that calculus.
The men can challenge Wilde, too. A lot rests on “current form”. Pearson and Vilaca will race with a chip on their shoulder but I think the Portuguese is more likely to be ready-ish. Hauser is ever the threat though, and we’ll see if Milner has improved his swim any because he could very likely be the fastest runner of the day.
Jorgensen did not make her country’s Olympic team last summer but has the prospect of a home Games in four years to chase. With her experience, evergreen running speed and prominent uptick in late 2024 form, Abu Dhabi might be the moment she completes her return to the Series podium and announces herself as a Los Angeles contender.
Well, I admire Gwen for continuing at age 38 this season despite the Olympic disappointment, but LA 2028? I don’t believe she is really gunning for the Oly Grandma monicker
Sometimes it’s less what 1 athlete is or isn’t and more how much competition is around said athlete. Has the “golden era” of women USA athletes dominating podiums and top 10s ended? That will probaly be the bigger obstacle or non obstacle for GJ going into LA Games.
I remember back going into Rio, Hunter Kemper the “old man” was trying to make his 5th Olympics. I would joke with him “if we don’t have any young guys to push you out, we’ve all failed”.
I don’t know who’s necessarily going to take the next step in USA’s pipeline and keep the success we’ve had, or even come near one off successes. So in that aspect “we’ve failed”.
out of interest whats your problem with that. why should she not be allowed to make a living of it for as long as she can.
btw i see there was another person that has an issue with age so i guess i should ask him the same question.
i dont really care if she goes to LA , but if she makes it she will be in the same position as at least 40 a other atheltes that have no chance to medal.
fact is she is still relevant to the sport, as demonstrated more than once on slowtwitch , and i think currently the number 9 in the world ranking.
and should she make it to la fair play to her .
I dont think folks here have any problem with her age, but with the fact that no one in the pipeline is lining up to beat her. We have a very long history of putting up world class womens fields in ITU, but at this moment in time it looks like it’s coming to an end.
I can definitely see a path for her to make the team in a few years, just not one that gets her onto the podium of filled out race fields…
Yes as ST ( @ironmandad ) reports:
“Winners of events earn 1,000 points, with the points reducing by 7.5% for each following place. The Championship Finals offer 1,250 points for the win with the same reduction. There is a rule change that will take effect after the race in Abu Dhabi – all races, whether sprint or standard distance, will offer the same points. Because that rule won’t go into effect until Feb. 27, this weekend’s race will be worth 750 points, the same as previous sprint distance races.”
