With six of this year’s 10 World Triathlon Series races now done and dusted, we take a look at how the table stands – and how the Brits are faring.
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In the women’s Columbia Threadneedle Rankings, Gwen Jorgensen has built up 4000pts thanks to five wins in five races this season, her latest win being London just a few days ago.
Her nearest rivals are fellow American Katie Zaferes (3645pts) and New Zealand’s Andrea Hewitt (2910pts), while fast-rising US athlete Sarah True is fourth with 2632pts. In fact, the Stars and Stripes have now earned 12 of the 18 women’s medals awarded in WTS races so far this season.
Jorgensen isn’t expected to race at the next three WTS races in Hamburg, Stockholm or Edmonton, instead saving her strength for the final in Chicago this September. This means Zaferes could win the series if she were to win the Grand Final and Jorgensen finishes outside the top five.
The only Brit in the top-10 is Vicky Holland (1386pts), whose efforts earned her a win in Cape Town. Other Brits include 2013 world champ Non Stanford in 38th place with 567pts, Helen Jenkins in 43rd with 501pts, super swimmer Lucy Hall in 48th with 409pts, WTS debutante Emma Pallant in 49th with 397pts, and last year’s title contender Jodie Stimpson in 49th (230pts).
Special mention should go to Sophie Coldwell, who had a day to remember at her WTS initiation in London last weekend: she put in a strong swim and cycle to be among the lead group of seven going into T2, then blew through transition so fast she led all athletes onto the run, eventually finishing 27th. The final British lady is Jessica Learmonth, who’s in 81st position with 83pts.
1st – Gwen Jorgensen (USA) 4000
2nd – Katie Zaferes (USA) 3645
3rd – Andrea Hewitt (NZL) 2910
4th – Sarah True (USA) 2632
5th – Barbara Riveros (CHI) 2100
6th – Aileen Reid (IRL) 2078
7th – Emma Moffat (AUS) 1710
8th – Vendula Frintova (CZE) 1414
9th – Lindsey Jerdonek (USA) 1387
10th – Vicky Holland (GBR) 1386
Biggest rankings mover: Katrien Verstuyft (BEL) – from 81st to 56th (265 points)
Highest new entry to rankings: Sophie Corbridge (NZL) – 51st (367 points)
Men’s standings
After his antics in London last weekend, Alistair Brownlee now has 2340pts and sits in fifth place – despite only having raced three times so far this season. Younger brother Jonny is in seventh place with 2186pts, thanks to his two wins (Gold Coast and Auckland) in four races so far. Jonny also took fifth in season opener Abu Dhabi, while a puncture in London meant he finished a disappointing 42nd.
Series leader to date is 2014 champ Javier Gomez (ESP) who has amassed 3507pts from five races – though has only won one of them (Yokohama), an unusually low strike rate by his standards. Spain’s Mario Mola (2979pts) and Fernando Alarza (2961pts) round out the top three. South Africa’s Richard Murray is also enjoying a strong season, sitting in fourth with 2340pts thanks to three top-five finishes (Gold Coast, Cape Town and London).
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Other Brits include Adam Bowden in 20th position with 865pts, Mark Buckingham in 26th with 710pts, Gordon Benson in 47th with 374pts, Tom Bishop (who fought valiantly in London to tow Jonny Brownlee back into contention after his puncture) in 53rd place with 314pts, and Grant Sheldon in 98th position with 45pts.
1st – Javier Gomez Noya (ESP) 3507
2nd – Mario Mola (ESP) 2979
3rd – Fernando Alarza (ESP) 2961
4th – Richard Murray (RSA) 2490
5th – Alistair Brownlee (GBR) 2340
6th – Ryan Bailie (AUS) 2305
7th – Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 2186
8th – Vincent Luis (FRA) 2110
9th – Crisanto Grajales (MEX) 2015
10th – Sven Riederer (SUI) 1750
Biggest rankings mover: Dorian Coninx (FRA) – from 57th to 25th (739 points)
Highest new entry to rankings: Ryan Fisher (AUS) – 73rd (133 points)
The next stop on the World Triathlon Series is Hamburg, Germany on July 18th over the sprint distance, where Jodie Stimpson is expected to make her long-awaited return to the WTS circuit after injury. The full WTS calendar can be found here.
The full Columbia Threadneedle Rankings can be accessed here.
(Images: Ross Grieve / Dirty Green Trainers)
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Who do you think will win this year’s series? Let us know in the comments below!