Spivey targets her first WTS victory in Edmonton

Friday 19 July 2019
With the current leaders of the World Triathlon Series -Katie Zaferes (USA), Jessica Learmonth (GBR) and Georgia Taylor-Brown (GBR)- not racing this weekend in ITU World Triathlon Edmonton, the field is wide open for a a handful of athletes looking to make a strong statement at the end of the season, before the world leaders head to Tokyo for the Test Event and to Lausanne for the Grand Final. And USA’s Taylor Spivey looks determined to get in the Canadian city her first WTS victory of the season.

Even with Katie focusing on a block of training and skipping WTS Edmonton, the USA has one of the strongest teams lining up this Saturday for the women’s race, with four of the five top spots on the start list held by Americans: Spivey, Summer Rappaport, Chelsea Burns, Taylor Knibb and Tamara Gorman.

Spivey, who will be wearing the golden number one this week, will be a woman on a mission this Saturday: claiming her first WTS victory of her career and also trying to make it to the Series ranking’s podium, after a consistent season in which she has earned already two medals -silver in WTS Abu Dhabi and bronze in WTS Yokohama, but has never finished lower than in the sixth place. She will have to keep an eye for her training partner and teammate, Rappaport, who has also been twice in the WTS podium this year, silver in WTS Yokohama and bronze in WTS Hamburg, and who has been a regular medalist on the ITU World Cup circuit, including victories in Miyazaki, Japan, and Huatulco, Mexico.

With Burns, Knibb and Gorman also as potential medallists in Edmonton, USA is aiming for the second podium sweep of the season, after the one they got in Yokohama, exactly as they did in Edmonton back in 2016.

Wearing number 3 this weekend will be one of the strongest Japanese athletes this season, Yuko Takahashi, who has proven this season that training in an international environment has helped her becoming more competitive and is aiming for her first podium of the season, after missing it in Yokohama. Claire Michel (BEL) and Lisa Perterer (AUT) can also be put in the mix for podium contenders, after some solid performances this season.

Another strong team will be the Australian one, with Ashleigh Gentle returning to the WTS circuit after a small hiatus, and with Emma Jackson in great form after finishing in 7th place in WTS Montreal. Charlotte mcShane and Jazz Hedgeland are also joining the WTS Aussie squad, after powerful races in the world cup circuit this season. Kiwis Nicole Van Der Kaay and Sophie Corbidge are always worth to keep an eye on, as will be Spaniards Miriam Casillas Garcia, Carolina Routier and Sara Perez Sala, the three of them excellent swimmers.

In Edmonton we will see what probably is be the biggest age difference in ages, with Maria Czesnik (POL) towing the start line at almost 42 years of age, and with Mexico’s Mercedes Romero Orozco being only 17, 25 years difference.

The race in Edmonton, Alberta, marks the eight stop of the regular-season WTS circuit, with athletes covering a sprint-distance 750-meter swim, 22-kilometer bike and 5-kilometer run.

The elite women race on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. local time, followed by the elite men at 5:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. local time). The action continues Sunday at 4:30 p.m. local time. Tunein to triathlonlive.tv to watch all the races live!
by Olalla Cernuda ITU Triathlon


Coming Triathlon Events View all

Altriman

les Angles, Pyrenees, France

eagleXman

Assergi, Italy

TriBourne 226

Eastbourne, United Kingdom

Kaike triathlon

Yonago, Tottori, Japan

Outlaw Triathlon

Nottingham, United Kingdom

Wild Siberia Xtreme

Lake Cheybek-Kohl, Siberia, Russian Federation

Starvation Extreme

Starvation Reservoir, Utah, United States

Norseman Xtreme

Geilo, Norway

Ostseeman

Glucksburg, Germany

Slovakman 226

Pieštany, Slovakia

Ironman Vitoria Gasteiz

Vitoria Gasteiz, Spain

Ironman Lake Placid

Lake Placid, United States

Ironman Leeds

Leeds, United Kingdom

Ironman Canada Ottawa

Ottowa, Canada

Ironman Kalmar Sweden

Kalmar, Sweden

Ironman Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark

Ironman Tallinn

Tallinn, Estonia

Ironman Switzerland

Thun, Switzerland

Ironman Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPS MEN

Nice, France

Oravaman

Zuberec, Slovakia

Cotswold Classic

Ashton Keynes, United Kingdom

Door Country Half

Egg Harbor, WI, United States

Garmin Tri Tour Sycow

Sycow, Poland

Castle to Coast

Windsor to Brighton, United Kingdom

Sourdough Triathlon

Chatanika, Alaska, United States

TRI Boulder

Boulder, CO, United States

Timisoara Triathlon

Timisoara, Romania

Trumer Triathlon

Obertrum am See, Austria

Honeymoon Half Gravel Tri

Honeymoon Bay BC, Canada

70.3 Muncie

Muncie, Indiana, United States

70.3 Luxembourg

Remich, Luxembourg

70.3 Swansea

Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom

70.3 Musselman

Geneva NY, United States

70.3 Ohio

Sandusky, United States

70.3 Oregon

Salem OR, United States

70.3 Ecuador

Manta, Ecuador

70.3 Boise

Boise Idaho, United States

70.3 Calgary

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

70.3 Maine

Augusta, United States

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

IRONMAN Pro Series 70.3 Swansea Start List

IRONMAN Pro Series 70.3 Swansea Start List

Friday 11 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

On Sunday, 13 July, nearly 60 professional triathletes will head to the south coast of Wales for the first time to compete in the IRONMAN®?70.3® Swansea triathlon, the 12th event in the 2025 IRONMAN® Pro Series. The event will offer a maximum of 2,500 points towards IRONMAN® Pro Series standings, a $50,000 USD?event total pro prize purse, and two slots per gender for the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon in Nice, France. more

IRONMAN Vitoria Gasteiz WPRO Start List

IRONMAN Vitoria Gasteiz WPRO Start List

Friday 11 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz invites you to the spectacular cultural capital of northern Spain's Basque Country! With over a decade of triathlon heritage, Vitoria-Gasteiz is a well-known triathlon playground offering astonishing natural landscapes, rich culture, unforgettable Basque gastronomy, and the most passionate and vibrant fans that will encourage you until the finish line. more

Fabian Kraft, Lena Meissner Win 70.3 Jonkoping

Fabian Kraft, Lena Meissner Win 70.3 Jonkoping

Monday 07 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

The event, held on Sunday, July 6, featured a swim in Lake Munksjön, a bike course through the scenic Swedish countryside, and a run through the center of Jönköping around the lake. more

Sam Laidlow, Laura Philipp Win CHALLENGE Roth

Sam Laidlow, Laura Philipp Win CHALLENGE Roth

Sunday 06 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

Reigning world champion Laura Philipp and world champion Sam Laidlow have won DATEV Challenge Roth and, in front of several hundred thousand spectators, entered the list of winners of the world's largest long-distance triathlon for the first time. Jonas Schomburg, who had to drop out in Frankfurt a week ago and so entered Roth last minute, came second and for a long time even had his sights set on the top step of the podium. more

70.3 Jonkoping SWE Pro Start List

70.3 Jonkoping SWE Pro Start List

Friday 04 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

A warm and heartfelt welcome to 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Jönköping European Championship! On Sunday, July 6, you’ll be part of something truly special – a celebration of athleticism, determination and community, set in the heart of Sweden. more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.