TRIATHLON

Hunt for ITU World Championship points heats up at penultimate World Triathlon Series race of 2015 season

By International Triathlon Union (ITU)

As the penultimate stop on the World Triathlon Series, Edmonton will this weekend offer up a fast and furious sprint course to star-studded start lists as the athletes fight for final points in the hunt to call themselves the fastest athlete in the world.

Click here for the women's preview
Click here for the men's preview

Edmonton holds a special place in ITU history, having set a new standard for the triathlon World Championships back in 2001. Edmonton first hosted an ITU race back in 1999 and has since hosted nine World Cups, as well as continental cups and paratriathlon races. In over 20 years of World Cup races only one race has ever had to be cancelled, which was in Edmonton in 2004. After Loretta Harrop (AUS) won the women's race, a wintery blast hit the city and the men's race was called off. In 2014, Edmonton again hosted the World Championships, during which Javier Gomez and Gwen Jorgensen won the elite titles.

WEBSITE: http://edmonton.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.

BRITS ARE BACK
With the three US women opting out of the Canadian race, Brits Non Stanford and Vicky Holland have a clear path to dominate the competition. Both women have been having phenomenal performances as of lately and since both have completed step one in the two-step process to securing their federation qualification for Rio, Edmonton is the perfect platform to gear up for completed phase two at the Grand Final. They’ll be joined by two-time World Champion Helen Jenkins. While Jenkins endured an injury that saw her sidelined for most of the 2015 season, she looks ready to return in fighting form.

FULLY STOCKED
The men's start list does not disappoint as many of the top triathletes are toeing up to the start line. Spaniards Javier Gomez and Mario Mola top off the roster as the first- and second-ranked men. But other standout names including Richard Murray (RSA), Vincent Luis (FRA) and Aaron Royle (AUS) are set to compete, which will ensure one epic race.

DRIVE FOR 5
Javier Gomez currently sits as the leader in the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings, which puts him in a great position heading into the Grand Final. And with earning gold in his last two races, the road to securing his fifth World Champion title is looking straight and clear.