Four Bahrain Victorious 13 athletes take aim at world titles and wins in Pontevedra this weekend: Hayden Wilde, Henri Schoeman and Cassandre Beaugrand at the World Triathlon Championship Series Grand Final, and Lauren Parker at the World Triathlon Para Championships.
Beaugrand and Wilde head into the race looking to take their first world titles, while Parker is aiming for her fourth.
Parker has been dedicated to training since winning the Paris test event last month, and has been unbeaten over this distance for two years. She says, “I’m really looking forward to racing and defending my title to become four-time world champ at this distance. I have been preparing in Banyoles, Spain for the last four weeks and have had to overcome some challenges, but I will be bringing some confidence into the race on the weekend. Let’s do this!”
Wilde came extremely close to winning his first world title last year having been ranked number 1 for most of 2022. With lessons learned from last year’s final in Abu Dhabi, confidence from winning the super sprint triathlon world championship in Hamburg over world number 1 Alex Yee, and a hard-earned second-place world ranking going into Pontevedra, Wilde will be making the most of this opportunity to win this year’s second world title.
He says, “I’m super pumped to be in the mix for a world title in Pontevedra. It’s going to be tough, Alex is on fire always and three incredible athletes behind me as well. But I’m here to win and I won’t be happy with anything other than to leave Pontevedra as World Champ.
He adds, “I’m ready to give it everything. It’s anyone’s game but I’m here for the World Series title.”
Beaugrand comes into the race at a career-high number 1 ranking. Although the points race is close and a win here is required to take the overall title, her confidence and form over the year has risen with a super sprint world title under her belt as well as two championship series race wins, a silver at the Paris test event, and fourth in Cagliari.
Schoeman is now once again the top-ranked South African athlete and making a case for Paris Olympic qualification. After a season-high 6th place finish in Sunderland, the Rio Olympic bronze medalist is on the cusp of breaking back into the world top 20 during a remarkable year that has seen him come back from injury to take the esports triathlon world title.
