TRIATHLON

2015 WTS Grand Final Chicago week begins

By International Triathlon Union (ITU)

After nine thrilling ITU World Triathlon Series races this year, the men's and women's elite World Championship titles will be decided in heated battles this week at the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Chicago. The US women have dominated the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings, with Gwen Jorgensen the favourite to retain her world title on home soil after an undefeated season. But she'll have to contend with her own compatriot Katie Zaferes who sits just 300 points behind her.

Likewise, on the men's side it's Javier Gomez's race to lose, but he'll fight it out with his own Spanish teammate Mario Mola, as well as Frenchman Vincent Luis and South African Richard Murray for the men's title. If Gomez can hold on to his top ranking, he'll become the first athlete ever to win five ITU World Championship Olympic-distance races.

This is the second year Chicago has featured on the World Triathlon Series calendar. Hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to witness the excitement and drama of age group and professional triathlon in Chicago in one of the world's most scenic and iconic venues. Chicago is the third US city to welcome a WTS race, with DC having hosted a race in the WTS' inaugural season. San Diego also welcomed competitors to its shores the last two years. 
 
The ITU World Triathlon Series was introduced in 2009, creating a series of world championship races rather than a single - day world championship. With the Series having touched down on every continent the last seven seasons. The Grand Final has been held in the Gold Coast, Budapest, Beijing, Auckland, London, and Edmonton.

Click here for the full, detailed schedule including age-group races 
 
WEBSITE:
http://chicago.triathlon.org/