Two world titles are up for grabs this Saturday at the supertri E World Triathlon Championships powered by Zwift in London on Saturday April 13. And for the first time, the 2024 edition is all about a one-off extravaganza with up to 60 athletes competing.There will be no margin for error as three heats will determine the top 10 women and men who will make it through to the evening finals for a chance to lift the titles. Start lists are filled with talent! Get ready to watch some epic battles as some of the most laureated Olympic athletes of the world take the stage.
Women’s race
The showdown between Olympic favourites Beth Potter and Cassandre Beaugrand is the headline battle in the women’s event. They are currently the top two in the world rankings and this will provide an early indicator of form ahead of Paris. Potter just got the better of her French rival when it mattered at the end of last season and both have an excellent record in this format.
But they won’t have it all to themselves - American superstar Katie Zaferes is desperate to boost her prospects of an Olympic place and will need a big performance to do so, while fellow mum Vicky Holland is aiming to showcase her Paris credentials too.
And watch out for 16 year old Fanni Szalai, the Hungarian phenom who burst onto the world scene in this series in 2023. She’s continued her meteoric progress since then and underlined her complete dominance of European junior racing recently in Quarteira.
Men’s race
And it’s a similar story in the men’s event as U23 World Champion Simon Henseleit of Germany wears #1.
Up against him is Chase McQueen, back in London and seeking redemption after things unravelled in the final 12 months ago following his victory in this format in Montreal.
And there’s a group of young Brits looking to highlight their Olympic claims, with many eyes likely to be on rising star Hugo Milner. He makes his debut in this fast and furious format, knowing that in this format, it’s all about the transitions when every second counts.
Previous winners
What was then called the Arena Games began in 2020 to enable live professional triathlon to continue behind closed doors during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
It was so popular that it’s gone from strength to strength and the world’s first Esports Triathlon World Champions were crowned in Singapore in 2022 - Brits Beth Potter and Alex Yee.
Sophie Linn (AUS) and Henri Schoeman (RSA) would emerge as the victors after a three-event series 12 months ago.
But on Saturday it’s a one-off winner-takes-all showdown in London.