Triathlon’s first esports World Championship titles will be awarded this weekend as Arena Games Triathlon powered by Zwift reaches a spectacular conclusion in Singapore. Britain’s Beth Potter is the heavy favourite in the women’s field but three others - including Olympic gold medallist Jessica Learmonth - can take the title with an outright win.

In the men’s Aurelien Raphael and Justus Nieschlag are level on points heading into the Grand Final but know victory for Alex Yee or Max Stapley would deliver either of them the title.

The Grand Final will be a first for the hybrid real-life and esports format as all three disciplines will take place outdoors at Marina Bay. The triathletes will start off with their swim leg in Marina Reservoir 1 before completing their bike and run legs on smart trainers and self-powered curved treadmills placed on the promenade of Marina Bay. The triathletes will be treated to an unparalleled view of the Singapore skyline and some of the city’s iconic landmarks as they bid for glory. The Singapore Grand Final is the last of three events in the Arena Games Triathlon 2022 series, following races in Munich, won by Beth Potter and Aurelien Raphael, and London, won by Cassandre Beaugrand and Justus Nieschlag.

Each stop contributes points to the World Triathlon Rankings, with athletes who collect the most points over the course of the series to be awarded the first-ever triathlon esport World Titles in Singapore. There are double points on offer in Singapore as well as cash bonuses and the all-important Series title. The Singapore event will also take place over two days rather than one, with heats on Friday and a repechage and the Final on Saturday.

Eight athletes arrive in Singapore knowing a win in the Grand Final of Arena Games Triathlon powered by Zwift will secure them the inaugural World Championship title. After two intense rounds of action in Munich and London, there is so much on the line as the points allocation doubles in Singapore. Beth Potter, Aurelien Raphael and Justus Nieschlag toe the line with a maximum 250 points already on the board from their previous victories. However, there are others lurking behind that can take advantage if they slip up. And with a very different event with an outdoor swim at Marina Bay Reservoir and the bike and run sections taking place outside in the heat and humidity of Singapore, it remains very unpredictable.

Who are the leading contenders for the esports triathlon World Championship crowns?

Women:
Beth Potter would appear to be the one to beat. She was first in Munich and second in London to an imperious performance from Cassandre Beaugrand, who is not in Singapore. That makes Potter the only athlete on the start line with 250 points. However, with 500 for the win, she certainly cannot relax.

German pair Lena Meissner and Anabel Knoll both collected enough points thanks to their podium finishes in Munich to know that a surprise win would deliver them a world title.

Perhaps the biggest threat is Olympic gold medallist Jessica Learmonth. The previous Arena Games winner was third in London. That leaves her 36 points behind Potter. Should she win and Potter finish second then Learmonth would take the title by a single point. An open water swim could well suit Learmonth too. Georgia Taylor-Brown is an outside shot still, but should she win she would need Potter to finish outside the top two to take the title.

Men:
Aurelien Raphael will probably be considered the man to beat. He was so impressive in winning in Munich and London didn’t go his way with technical issues hampering his chances. Justus Nieschlag took the win in London. He is proving an Arena Games specialist with that his second race victory in this format. The pair will face off with a lot on the line.

Also knowing that a win would bring them the title are Alex Yee and Max Stapley. The latter has been a real find of this year’s Arena Games Triathlon and though a Series win would be a shock he has a lot of quality. Yee has not quite hit top form, but he knows he is one win away from the title and that makes him extremely dangerous. He has shown he can deal well with the heat and has the temperament to perform under pressure.

The Singapore event will take place over two days rather than one, with both the women and men heats on Friday 6th May and a repechage and the Finals on Saturday 7th May. Review the full start lists here.