For the second consecutive year, the beautiful beaches of Sardinia host the 2017 ITU Cagliari World Cup, with top elite triathletes facing a tough sprint race with a really technical and hilly bike course. Here is what our athletes think about the race, the weather conditions and their expectations for the World Cup this Sunday.
Kirstin Kasper:
On her first podium in Yokohama and going back racing here:
“Yokohama was a perfect race for me, I executed the race exactly how I wanted, and the season so far has been the same way. I am really looking forward to race here in Cagliari”.
On the weather conditions in Cagliari:
“We’ve raced on this weather plenty of times, in Gold Coast it was very similar than here. We just need to keep hydrated during the whole race.”
Henri Schoeman:
On dealing with heat during races:
“I handle the heat pretty well, I come from Durban, in South Africam which is pretty warm, so I’m used to it.We all will have to see how our bodies react and keep our bodies cool. I just want to execute the race the way that I have planned, and if then I can be on the podium, it will be a good day”
On expectations for this race:
“I am really going to enjoy, it’s a tough course, but I really like those courses. I’m looking forward also to testing how my body reacts, and perfect to tune up for Leeds.”
On the new course:
“I haven’t had the chance of going through the course as I just landed two hours ago, but I’ve walked up the hill. I think it’s going to be a great course, I just wish it was a bit longer”.
Annamaria Mazzeti:
On returning to race in Cagliari:
“This year the weather is going to be really different from last year, which was cold. Last year everything was about trying to keep your body warm, and this year is going to be the opposite.”
On her expectations for race day:
“It is a sprint distance race so it’s going to be really fast from the start to the finish. I just want to have fun and give everything that I have”.
Tylor Mislawchak:
On the plans for the race:
“I just want to swim hard, bike hard and run hard, and see where that takes me. If all goes well, this could take me to the podium, but with this level races, you never know what can happen.”
On the new course:
“It’s gonna be a really tough course, I just wish it was a bit longer. I saw last year how challenging it was and I instantly put it on my calendar.”
Alice Betto:
On her goals for the race:
“I want to enjoy the race, I feel good and confident”.
On how does it feel to race at home:
“I am very excited to race here. Last year at the time of this race I had the second surgery in my tendon, so now to race here is really important for me, because last year I had to watch this race on TV and it was very sad. To be here now is really important for me, and also to check my conditions”.
