This weekend will see the Bahrain Endurance 13 racing in three different parts of the world: World Triathlon Series Hamburg in Germany, Helvellyn Triathlon in the United Kingdom, and the Bribie Island Triathlon in Australia.

Defending world champion Vincent Luis, 2018 champion Vicky Holland, and winner of last year’s grand final Kristian Blummenfelt are on the start list at WTS Hamburg, which doubles as this year’s triathlon world championship. The only race in the series to be staged this year, and will mark the first time since 2008 that the world championship will be won in a single-day race, and the first time in history that this will be done over the sprint distance.

Holland brings things into perspective. She says, “It’s obviously been a bizarre year for us all, but I am appreciative that I have another triathlon in the calendar this year and I’m definitely looking forward to racing again in Hamburg. They have done a great job to make sure this event can go ahead in a safe environment and I’m really grateful to be heading to a start line once again. With it being such short notice as a ‘World Championships’ – and with several nations unable to attend – I won’t be worrying too much about that, but will of course give my best on the day.”

Blummenfelt is of the same mindset. “It’s awesome to be back racing the WTS, and now the ITU have made Hamburg the 2020 World Championships this makes it even bigger.”

Luis has no plans of relinquishing the world title this year. He says, “I’m ready to race. I’ve spent six weeks at altitude looking forward to racing in Hamburg, and I’m not going to let this world title slip away from me that easily.”

Meanwhile, Alistair Brownlee will make his return to racing at the Helvellyn Triathlon, known as one of the toughest triathlon challenges in the United Kingdom. He last raced this mountainous course in 2007, breaking the course record. This time, he returns for a chance at a boosted payday: the Professional Triathletes Organisation have earmarked a $15,000 prize purse awarded all the way down to 10th place.

He says, “It is a tribute to the PTO’s mission for supporting athletes and the triathlon community  that PTO professionals in different regions have been able to come together to work with local organisers.”

Ashleigh Gentle rounds out the Bahrain Endurance 13 team members racing this weekend as she takes on the Bribie Island Triathlon in Queensland, Australia. The event has a 36-year history, and with international racing off the cards for many Australian athletes for now, Gentle will be raring to pin on a number and get on a starting line.

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Lauren Parker Leads Bahrain Victorious 13’s Medal Haul at World Championships

Lauren Parker Leads Bahrain Victorious 13’s Medal Haul at World Championships

The Bahrain Victorious 13 captured an impressive medal haul at the World Triathlon Championships in Wollongong, Australia this weekend.

Lauren Parker led the campaign, winning two medals including her fifth paratriathlon world title.

The paratriathlon races opened the elite competition on Saturday, where Parker once again proved untouchable. She led from the front, exiting the 750-metre swim first, hammering the 20-kilometre handbike leg with the day’s fastest split, and then powering through the 5-kilometre wheelchair run to cross the line 70 seconds clear of her nearest rival.

Unbeaten all year, Parker’s home victory carried extra meaning as she reclaimed the crown she relinquished last season.

“Everyone was so supportive out there and it definitely made me push a little bit harder,” Parker said post-race. “I wanted to get back on top again and I really worked hard for this one and I’m just happy to get it done.”

She also revealed her next sporting ambition: to qualify for the Winter Paralympic Games, with ongoing training in cross-country skiing and biathlon.

On Sunday, Parker added to her tally with a silver medal in the Para Mixed Relay World Championships, helping the Australian team to a podium finish.

In the men’s elite race, Vasco Vilaça placed fifth to secure the overall World Triathlon Championship Series bronze medal, returning to the world podium for the first time since earning silver at the one-day championship in Hamburg in 2020.

Emma Lombardi also delivered a standout performance, claiming bronze in the women’s race – her best finish of the season – and vaulting seven places to 11th overall in the Series standings. She swam into the pointy end on the 1.5-kilometre swim alongside compatriot Cassandre Beaugrand, then attacked on the 40-kilometre bike to lead onto the 10-kilometre run where she battled against the eventual winner and series champion Lisa Tertsch and a hard-charging Bianca Seregni to hold onto the final spot on the podium.

Beaugrand, who had stayed in the lead pack throughout the swim and bike, was forced to withdraw on the run to conclude her season ranked seventh overall.

The results in Wollongong wrap up the Bahrain Victorious 13’s short course season. The team now turns its attention to middle distance racing with the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Marbella, Spain and Ironman 70.3 Bahrain on the horizon, as well as the T100 Tour’s final two stops in Dubai and Qatar.

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Kat Matthews Runs to Silver and a Record Finish in Kona

Kat Matthews Runs to Silver and a Record Finish in Kona

Kat Matthews led the charge for the Bahrain Victorious 13 on Saturday, taking her third IRONMAN World Championship silver medal at the historic final all-women’s race in Kona, Hawaii. The British star also set a new run course record on the way to her first-ever...

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