5 Takeaways from the World Triathlon Championship Series in Cagliari
The 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) Cagliari was a brilliant day of Olympic-distance racing, as athletes from around the world competed for glory on the Italian island of Sardinia. The race was the third round of the series and there were plenty of stories to watch, from USA’s Olympic legends Gwen Jorgensen and Katie Zaferes sharing the starting line for the first time since Cozumel 2016 to the long shallows causing some problems at the beach start. There were also some great performances to witness, with France’s Emma Lombardi stepping up to the podium in style.
As the race continues to develop, we take a look at five of the biggest talking points from the event.
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Unprecedented women’s depth The women’s competition was extremely competitive, with 24 athletes vying for the top spot. It was notable for its depth, as well as its elite level of talent.
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Home support for Lombardi The French athlete, Emma Lombardi, thrilled her home crowd with her podium finish. The crowd erupted in cheers as she crossed the finish line and she was undoubtedly the star of the show.
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Rapid swim split times Swimming was a key component of the race and the athletes didn’t hold back. The fastest age group swimmer, Britain’s Greg Richard, posted an impressive 25-minute swim split and the ladies weren’t far behind either with some super-fast splits being recorded.
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Challenging bike course The bike course presented some difficult terrain including hills and sharp turns, which made it more demanding. This all added to the spectacle, however, as it challenged the athletes and kept the fans entertained.
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Finally some possible redemption Cagliari saw some athletes making up for their performance in the past, with the likes of Katie Zaferes and Hayden Wilde both putting in solid shifts. It wasn’t a case of redemption for everyone, but it showed that there are always opportunities to improve and learn from mistakes.
The 2023 WCS Cagliari was a thrilling race and an incredible spectacle for spectators. It was full of big names and world-class performances and it certainly set the tone for the remainder of the series. The action resumes in Stockholm on 12th June with plenty of anticipation and excitement in the air.