TRIATHLON

2015 ITU World Triathlon Series kicks off with Abu Dhabi debut

By International Triathlon Union

The 2015 ITU World Triathlon Series (WTS) will get off to a scintillating start come this Saturday when the world’s fastest athletes line up for a speedy splash and dash sprint race in Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi event marks the first time ever that a WTS race will be held in the Middle East. Reigning World Champions Gwen Jorgensen (USA) and Javier Gomez Noya (ESP) will headline a stellar field of athletes that includes nine of the top 10 ranked men and six of the top 10 ranked women.  Click here for the full preview

ABOUT THE RACE:
The event will be headquartered at the Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club on the breakwater opposite the Abu Dhabi Corniche, where a spectator-friendly environment including a 1,000-seater grandstand, a bike park, a ‘Friends and Family’ area, refreshment kiosks and a kids zone will be built. The elite event will feature a beach start off the Volvo Ocean Race yacht pontoons with the top men and women on the ITU World Series rankings competing for line honours in the opening event of the 2015 season. This weekend there are aquathlon, sprint, relay, standard and maxi distance events on offer to provide everyone with the perfect challenge. Abu Dhabi has also committed to seeing our great sport grown amongst its youth by organizing kid and youth triathlons.

SCHEDULE:
Elite Women
Saturday 7 March - 15:00pm UTC/GMT +4 Click here for the time in your area
Elite Men
Saturday 7 March - 17:00pm UTC/GMT+4 Click here for the time in your area 

WEBSITES:
abudhabi.triathlon.org/

START LISTS:
Click here for the women's start list
Click here for the men's start list

PRIZE MONEY:
$150,000 USD (equal for men & women) 

LIVE COVERAGE:
Follow all the events live with timing and text updates, at triathlonlive.tv and on twitter at @triathlonlive. Below is a media login to watch the races for media use only.  

COURSE PROFILE:
Swim (750m) - Athletes will complete one lap off the Volvo Ocean Race yacht pontoons.
Bike (20km) - Competitors are in for a scenic four-lap bike course along the coast.
Run (5km) - The run will consist of two run loops.

STORIES TO WATCH FOR:
Americans on top
There’s no easing into this year’s WTS races with the likes of Gwen Jorgensen and compatriot Sarah True (nee Groff) toeing the line. Ranked first and second in 2014, the Americans will start as the ones to chase. Dangerous over a standard distance, both women can also turn up the speed necessary for a sprint podium finish. While the Japanese women are strong in hot climates, any high winds will be to the advantage of strong cyclists like Andrea Hewitt (NZL), Kirsten Sweetland (CAN), Lucy Hall (GBR), Anne Haug (GER), Commonwealth Games champ Jodie Stimpson (GBR) and two-time World Champion Emma Moffatt (AUS). A number of wildcards will also line up including Olympic silver medallist Lisa Norden (SWE), and the young but talented Cassandre Beaugrand (FRA), Audrey Merle (FRA), Sophia Saller (GER) and Laura Lindemann (GER).

Top ten turn out
With nine of the top 10 ranked men from 2014 on the Abu Dhabi start list, the opening race of the men’s season is sure to be blistering. While Javier Gomez made history last year when he became just the second athlete to be crowned World Champion four times, he also missed out on a medal at every sprint race. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) and Mario Mola (ESP), however, have repeatedly proven tough to beat down the finish chute of a 5km run. Expect Richard Murray (RSA) and Joao Pereira (POR) to mix it up, while the likes of Alessandro Fabian (ITA), Vincent Luis (FRA) and Sven Riederer (SUI) are more than capable of factoring on the back half of a sprint race.