British triathletes gearing up for penultimate stage of the 2013 ITU World Triathlon Series this weekend in Stockholm
Jodie Stimpson and Anne Haug will be looking for a win to solidify their rankings (Photo: Janos Schmidt/ITU)
Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee take on Olympic silver medallist, Javier Gomez and Jodie Stimpson will look to continue the run of good form that has earned her the number two world ranking.
Stockholm marks the seventh round of the ITU WTS and British athletes including Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee, Jodie Stimpson and Non Stanford have all graced the top of the podium this year. These four have amassed seven wins between them and Jonathan Brownlee is unbeaten so far.
This weekend’s event features fourteen British triathletes and most of the top contenders for the ITU world titles, which will be decided in London, 11-15 September.
Saturday’s women’s race sees the return of Olympic silver medallist and ITU world champion, Lisa Norden, to compete in her home event having not featured in the series so far this year after committing to a year of middle-distance events.
Series leader, Anne Haug of Germany, appears to have a solid lead at the moment. Stimpson is 170 points behind in second and Non Stanford is a further 327 points behind in fourth.
There are 800 points available for a win in Stockholm, and double points at the Grand Final. However, Haug, Stimpson and Gwen Jorgensen in third place have already completed the required four races that count towards overall scores so a significant change in points at the top is unlikely before the Grand Final.
Stanford’s form in Stockholm will be impacted by the fractured arm she sustained in the Mixed Relay World Championships in Hamburg last month, and the 24 year old will start with some trepidation about the swim section in particular.
Jonathan Brownlee has enjoyed an excellent training block at altitude in St Moritz since the dramatic sprint for the finishing line in Hamburg that saw him claim his third Series win of 2013. He now needs another strong performance on Sunday to give him the opportunity to defend the ITU world title in London.
However, Javier Gomez currently heads the world rankings and older brother and Olympic Champion, Alistair, is very much in contention, particularly with double points on offer at the Grand Final and his winning track record in Hyde Park.
Jonathan Brownlee said: “I’ve had a great training block in St Moritz and am looking forward to getting back into racing now. This is really the important part of the season as we build into the Grand Final in London and it’s going to be another great race with Javier and Alistair both here.”
Alistair Brownlee added: “This will be a good test before the Grand Final but we still have a good few weeks before London and that’s when things will hopefully really come together. I missed Stockholm last year so I’m pleased to be here now.”
The ITU World Triathlon Stockholm will be televised on BBC2 from 2.50-6pm on Sunday. Live coverage is available via triathlonlive.tv and the women’s race is also live on the BBC website and on Connected TVs.
The PruHealth World Triathlon Grand Final takes place in Hyde Park, 11-15 September. The event is free to view and is the first world championship event to be held in Britain since the London 2012 Olympic Games.
British Triathletes competing in Stockholm:
Adam Bowden, 31, Watford / Loughborough
Alistair Brownlee, 26, Leeds – Olympic Champion
Jonathan Brownlee, 24, Leeds – ITU World Champion
Mark Buckingham, 28, Holmfirth / Leeds
David McNamee, 25, Irvine / Leeds
Matt Sharp, 24, Enfield / Loughborough – 2011 U23 World Champion
Katie Hewison, 28, Chorley
Vicky Holland, 27, Gloucester / Swansea – London 2012 Olympian
Natalie Milne, 24, Kinross
Emma Pallant, 24, Aldershot – World Triathlon Series debut
Lois Rosindale, 23, Leeds – ETU European U23 Champion
Vanessa Raw, 28, Durham / London
Non Stanford, 24, Swansea / Leeds – ITU U23 World Champion
Jodie Stimpson, 26, Birmingham