World Triathlon Derron and Priester hit Chengdu World Cup with one month of Olympic Qualification to go

 

Julie Derron (SUI) and Lasse Priester (GER) wear the number ones as latest chapter of Paris 2024 qualification story heads to Chengdu World Cup

The fifth World Cup stop of this Olympic year sees the circuit head to Chengdu, China, on Monday, where the battles for the medals as well as the points and performances that could help seal Paris 2024 qualification are on the line.

Starting out in Napier (NZL) in February before heading to Hong Kong, Lievin (FRA) and then Wollongong (AUS) last weekend, the World Cup tour now has three stages left within the qualification period: Chengdu, Huatulco and Samarkand. The heat is on.

And so it is to China that we head for an unusual Monday race, and a Chengdu circuit that first appeared on the schedule a decade ago in 2014. The two-lap, 1.5km swim transitions into a six-lap 40km bike, each loop with fast, rolling corners and two leg-busting dead turns, and then it's 4 x 2.5km run laps to the tape. Watch the action over on TriathlonLive.tv.

 

MEN'S PREVIEW

Schomburg and Priester going all-in

While Monday racing is something out of the ordinary, this is a course that the two top-ranked German athletes know well. Number one Lasse Nygaard Priester raced here in October, finishing 22nd after a poor swim left him too far off the pace to challenge despite a huge run effort. Jonas Schomburg was among the names to tackle the course for the first time back in 2014, as well as finishing 17th six months ago. Both will want to deliver this time around.

Priester’s World Cup win on a tough Karlovy Vary course back in 2021 remains his best result to date and one of four career podiums overall, while Schomburg’s first World Cup medal also came in the Czech hills, with bronze last year. Two fearless athletes, one place on the Paris 2024 start line the ultimate prize.

 

Hungarians on the hunt

Like Germany, Team Hungary are in a great position to qualify the maximum three men for Paris. Bence Bicsak finished 7th at Tokyo 2020, was fourth here in 2023, and is on paper the strong choice, but the 28-year-old has struggled recently to find race consistency that can allow his undoubted run ability to really shine. Bicsak’s last podium was bronze at WTCS Abu Dhabi in 2021 against the best in the world, so he knows he has it in him. This would be a great time to rediscover that form.

Mark Devay and Gabor Faldum are the other two Hungarian names in the frame for Paris. Both race here, both have been in solid form of late, arguably Faldum’s 12th place at the Test Event ahead of all three compatriots the most eye-catching evidence of his potential.

 

Tayler Reid ready to redeem

An unfortunate equipment penalty saw Tayler Reid (NZL) miss out on a podium in Woolongong, a moment that could light the fire of a big display here in China. A medal at his first-time hit out in Chengdu would be the perfect moment to show Team New Zealand that he is the man to join Hayden Wilde in Paris, and would certainly boost the chances a full trio of Kiwi men at the Games.

Third in the Asia Triathlon Championships a week ago, Junjie Fan is the top-ranked of the home athletes and starting his fifth World Cup. Aoba Yasumatsu continues to pursue his path to Paris for Japan, and Azerbaijan’s Rostislav Pevtsov chases a remarkable sixth podium here after one gold, three silver and a bronze to date. Fresh from E-World Championship silver in London, Britain’s Max Stapley (GBR) will want to reiterate his Olympic credentials on a continent that has seen some of his best results at this level, including silver in Yeongdo last August.

The first official event of the year for Team World Triathlon, the development squad helping athletes from nations with fewer resources to reach their Olympic goals, Chengdu welcomes Tyler Smith (BER) and Vitalii Vorontsov (UKR) onto the start line, while Badr Siwane of Morocco starts with his Games debut still a possibility if results go his way.

Further names to watch looking to covert their recent displays into medal-winning performances include Denmark’s Emil Holm, Italy’s Michele Sarzilla and Chilean Gaspar Riveros as this Olympic season gathers some serious momentum.

 

WOMEN'S PREVIEW

Derron ready to push on in 2024

It has been a strong sequence of results from Switzerland’s Julie Derron that sees her assume the race number one, reaching back to her last race in China in 2019 and a career-first gold in Weihai. Back-to-back silvers in Arzachena, a Karlovy Vary gold, the 2022 European title and bronze in the Mixed Relay World Championships last year all underline what this powerful 27-year-old is capable of.

The exertions of her familiar hauling of chasing bike packs up to the leaders has taken a toll in the past, but a 7th-fastest 10km run split to finish 8th at last year’s Championship Finals Pontevdera again suggested big things lie ahead. The gap to the front pack out of the water could be the difference between top 10 and top of the podium on Monday morning for the Swiss number one.

 

Lin looking for breakthrough finish

Fourth here last year remains Xinyu Lin’s - and indeed her country’s - best result of all time at this level, so China’s Asian Games silver medallist would love to register a first World Cup podium on home soil to kickstart her Olympic ambitions. If she can find her stride after an hour in the saddle, Lin could be ready to secure that historic first World Cup medal for China.

With a place in Paris looking ever more assured, New Zealand’s Nicole Van Der Kaay will be seeking more Olympic-distance form after her solid 13th place in Quarteira last month. The Kiwi has been building back from a major accident suffered racing Super League last year, but the memory of her first World Cup win 14 months ago in New Plymouth will be powering her on once more on Monday.

 

Italians racing for Paris

Ilaria Zane and Alice Betto sit at 34th and 48th in the Olympic Rankings heading into race week, knowing that either sitting inside the top 30 at the end of May would likely see Italy secure the maximum three quota places in Paris. Zane was third here last October, while Betto won Brasilia gold the same weekend. This will be a fascinating encounter between two compatriots who, remarkably, haven’t crossed the line at the same individual race since 2018. That race? The Cagliari World Cup. The results? Betto finished 7th, Zane 8th.

The strongest South American challenge for medals will again come from Ecuador’s Elizabeth Bravo, while Mexico’s rising star Sofia Rodriguez Moreno, the Continental bronze medallist in Miami last month behind the Ecuadorian, will also be looking to feature. Bravo has put together some strong finishes of late and knows well what it takes to podium at this level.

Elsewhere, Sweden’s 2022 Junior World Champion Tilda Mansson strode to her third World Cup victory last weekend. Her best performances to date may have all come at the sprint distance, but this will be another good test of her mettle over the Olympic, as the 19-year-old continues to make moves towards an exciting Games debut at Paris 2024.

 

Team World Triathlon gathers

Chengdu will also be Team World Triathlon’s first official race of 2024. The squad for athletes from smaller nations is provided precious coaching and travel support at specific events in their quest to qualify for Paris, and will include the in-form Erica Hawley of Bermuda, Colombia’s Maria Carolina Velasquez Soto and Zuzana Michalikova. The Slovakian currently stands just ten places ahead of compatriot Romana Gajdosova in what could be the race for the New Flag position in Paris.

 

Elsewhere on the start list, Lotte Miller (NOR) returns to the blue carpet for the first time since October hoping her back injury is behind her, Mansson’s 2021 Junior World Championship rival Jule Behrens (GER) starts only her third World Cup, and Aquathlon World Champion Zsanett Kuttor-Bragmayer (HUN) chases her first World Cup podium since Haeundae 2021.

Paralympics Ireland Ní Riain, Turner and Brady All To Contest Finals on Day 5 of the European Championships

 

Róisín Ní Riain was back in the pool this morning on day 5 of the European Championships for the heat of the 50m freestyle event. She placed third in her heat (7th overall) which sees her through to her fourth final of the championships.

Teammates Turner and Brady will face off again this evening in the 50m freestyle final.

20:09: Women's 50m Freestyle S13 Final (Róisín Ní Riain)

19:40: Women's 50m Freestyle S6 Final (Nicole Turner, Dearbhaile Brady)

USA Water Polo Campaigns Launch Today, Building Excitement For Paris 2024

 

Irvine, CA - April 25, 2024 - With less than 100 days until the start of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, USA Water Polo is excited to unveil an inspiring campaign featuring the women's and men's national teams. Through slow-motion sequences and breathtaking shots of the teams in action, viewers are invited to witness the extraordinary dedication and skill of the water polo national team athletes. The new commercials highlight both teams' unwavering determination as they strive to represent the United States on the world stage.

 The first commercial, titled "Rule the Water," showcases the three-time Olympic gold medal winning USA Women's National Team celebrating the return to Paris for the Olympics, exactly a century after the Games were last held in the City of Light. The spot reminds viewers of the tremendous growth of women's sports in that time and within the rise to dominance by the American women to a level never seen in the sport. The spot is available in both :60s and :30s versions.

The USA Men's National Team :30s spot, "Rise Above", addresses their quest for greatness. Last reaching the Olympic podium in 2008 and having never won gold in the modern era of the Games, the spot gives viewers a glimpse into a dynamic squad with the true potential to peak at exactly the right time, this summer in Paris.

"Our goal with this campaign is to tell the stories of our teams," said Michaela Spector, Director of Marketing, USA Water Polo. "This campaign lets you feel, at least for a little while, the quest these young men and women are on and the Olympic water polo history that hangs in the balance. Through powerful and stunning visuals, we hope to convey the essence of what it means to represent Team USA."

Launching today, the campaign will run across various social media platforms, with additional TV broadcast information to be announced. All commercials will be available on YouTube.com/USAWP and USA Water Polo's social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, and X.

Other key contributors to the commercial spots include acclaimed photographer/director Peter "POBY" Pobyjpicz, drone video specialist Jack Hiniker and the Motion-Productions team, whose expertise and creativity have brought the vision to life. Actors Kelly Campbell, Rob Koebel, Alexa Hourigan, Braden Davis and Bob Blongiewicz brought their talents to the women's spot with period styling from Heather Hansen. Voiceover talent Bethany Novak narrated the women's spot.

SWISS AQUATICS Michelle Heimberg Neue Ziele nach überwundenem Rückschlag

Die Schweizer Europameisterin im Wasserspringen, Michelle Heimberg, verzichtet auf die Titelverteidigung im Juni im Belgrad. Sie wird in diesem Jahr keine Wettkämpfe mehr bestreiten. Für 2025 hat sich die Aargauerin wieder hohe Ziele gesteckt. Zudem hat Heimberg beim Startup Muuvr beruflich eine neue Herausforderung angenommen.

Nach schwierigen Wochen hat sich Michelle Heimberg neue Ziele gesetzt. Die amtierende Europameisterin vom 1m-Brett hat nach der verpassten Olympia-Qualifikation und einer anschliessenden Auszeit einen neuen Fokus gefunden. Sie hat sich entschieden, in diesem Jahr keine Wettkämpfe mehr zu bestreiten und auf die Titelverteidigung vom 1m-Brett an den Europameisterschaften im Juni in Belgrad zu verzichten. Im Vordergrund steht der Spass am Sport und die optimale Vorbereitung für das nächste Jahr. Ihr Blick ist bereits auf die kommende Saison gerichtet, in der sie wieder in den Wettkampfmodus zurückkehren wird. Mit den Europameisterschaften und den Weltmeisterschaften in Singapur stehen zwei grosse Wettkämpfe im Kalender. «Ich habe gemerkt, dass das Feuer in mir noch brennt. Aber ich will mir die Zeit geben, die ich brauche, um stärker zurückzukommen», so Heimberg.

Michelle Heimberg findet beruflich eine neue Herausforderung

Da der Sommer der 23-jährigen Aargauerin nun anders als geplant verlaufen wird, ergab sich für Michelle Heimberg beruflich eine neue Möglichkeit. Jan van Berkel, ehemaliger Triathlet und European Business Development Manager des Zürcher Start-ups Muuvr, bot ihr eine Stelle im Bereich Kommunikation und Events an. Heimberg wird dieseChance nutzen, um wertvolle Berufserfahrung zu sammeln. Sie sieht es als grosse Chance, ihr Wissen aus dem Studium der Kommunikationswissenschaft & Medienforschung in die Praxis umzusetzen.

«Diese Möglichkeit, mich beruflich weiterzuentwickeln und gleichzeitig einen Ausgleich zum Sport zu haben, hat mich sehr gereizt und so fiel mir die Entscheidung, diese Herausforderung anzunehmen, leicht», so Heimberg.

Auch Jan van Berkel äusserte sich positiv über Michelles Beitrag zum Startup und ist davon überzeugt, dass sie ihre Kompetenzen aus dem Sport schnell in die Arbeitswelt integrieren kann. «Als ehemaliger Profi-Triathlet schätze ich die Qualitäten, die Michelle als Sportlerin bei der Arbeit einbringen kann. Michelle bringt nicht nur Disziplin und Ausdauer mit, sondern auch Teamgeist und Zielstrebigkeit. Ich freue mich, eine weitere Sportlerin im Team begrüssen zu dürfen und bin mir sicher, dass sie einen wichtigen Beitrag leisten wird.»

photo by patrick b. krämer

SWISS AQUATICS Michelle Heimberg De nouveaux objectifs à la suite d’un revers

 

La championne d'Europe suisse de plongeon, Michelle Heimberg, renonce à défendre son titre en juin à Belgrade. Elle ne participera plus à aucune compétition cette année. L'Argovienne s'est à nouveau fixé des objectifs élevés pour 2025. De plus, Heimberg a relevé un nouveau défi professionnel au sein de la start-up Muuvr.

Après des semaines difficiles, Michelle Heimberg s'est fixé de nouveaux objectifs. La championne d'Europe en titre du tremplin de 1 m s’est trouvé un nouveau focus après avoir manqué sa qualification pour les Jeux olympiques et avoir pris un temps d'arrêt par la suite. Elle a décidé de ne plus participer à des compétitions cette année et de renoncer à défendre son titre du tremplin de 1 m aux Championnats d'Europe de Belgrade en juin pour mettre l'accent sur le plaisir du sport et sur une préparation optimale pour l'année prochaine. Son regard est déjà tourné vers la saison prochaine, où elle retrouvera le mode de la compétition. Deux grandes compétitions sont prévues au calendrier, les championnats d'Europe et les championnats du monde à Singapour. « J'ai senti que la flamme brûlait encore en moi. Mais je veux me laisser le temps dont j'ai besoin pour revenir plus forte », a déclaré Heimberg.

Michelle Heimberg se lance un nouveau défi professionnel

Comme l'été de l'Argovienne de 23 ans ne se déroule pas comme prévu, une nouvelle opportunité professionelle s'est présentée à Michelle Heimberg. Jan van Berkel, ancien triathlète et European Business Development Manager de la start-up zurichoise Muuvr, lui a proposé un poste dans le domaine de la communication et de l'événementiel. Heimberg va saisir cette opportunité pour acquérir une précieuse expérience professionnelle. Elle y voit une excellente occasion de mettre en pratique ses connaissances acquises lors de ses études en sciences de la communication & recherche sur les médias.

« Cette possibilité d'évoluer professionnellement et d'avoir en même temps un équilibre avec le sport m'a beaucoup séduite et la décision d'accepter ce défi a été facile à prendre », a déclaré Heimberg.

Jan van Berkel s'est également exprimé positivement sur la contribution de Michelle à la start-up et est convaincu qu'elle pourra rapidement intégrer ses compétences issues du sport dans le monde du travail. « En tant qu'ancien triathlète professionnel, j'apprécie les qualités que Michelle peut apporter au travail en tant que sportive. Michelle apporte non seulement la discipline et l'endurance, mais aussi l'esprit d'équipe et la détermination. Je suis heureux d'accueillir une autre sportive dans l'équipe et je suis sûr qu'elle apportera une contribution importante ».

photo by patrick b. krämer

Paralympics Ireland - Gold for Ní Riain on Day Two of European Championships

 

Róisín Ní Riain was the only Irish swimmer in action at the European Championships today fresh from her silver medal success on day one. In a personal best swim Ní Riain powered home to win gold in the 100m breaststroke final.

Speaking after the final Ní Riain said, “That was a pretty good swim, happy with the time and a great race. I always think the hundred breaststroke is a fun one for me just to get out and race. I love the event so I’m very pleased with that”.

Tomorrow is a busy day in the pool with four swimmers set to compete. Nicole Turner and Barry McClements will make their first appearances at this Championships in the morning session and will hope to progress to finals in their respective events. Dearbhaile Brady will also look to progress to her second final in the 200 IM event.

Deaten Registe will make his European Championships debut in the evening session. He has a direct final in the 100m Breaststroke at 17:57.

Para Swimming European Championships Day 2 Results

Róisín Ní Riain - 100m Breaststroke Final / 01:18.00 / 1st Place

Day 3 (April 23)

10:05: Nicole Turner - 200m IM Heat (event 59)

10:05: Dearbhaile Brady - 200m IM Heat (event 59)

10:18: Barry McClements - 100m Butterfly Heat (event 60)

17:57: Deaten Registe - 100m Breaststroke Final (event 52)

 

Day 4 (April 24)

9:55: Róisín Ní Riain - 100m Backstroke Heat – (event 76)

11:16: Ellen Keane - 100m Freestyle Heat – (event 86)

 

Day 5 (April 25)

11:09: Róisín Ní Riain - 50m Freestyle Heat – (event 107)

19:40: Nicole Turner - 50m Freestyle Final – (event 104)

19:40: Dearbhaile Brady - 50m Freestyle Final – (event 104)

 

Day 6 (April 26)

9:30: Róisín Ní Riain - 400m Freestyle Heat (event 110)

10:59 Barry McClements - 100m Backstroke Heat (event 124)

19:34: Nicole Turner - 100m Breaststroke Final (event 125)

 

Day 7 (April 27)

9:30 Ellen Keane - 100m Breaststroke Heat (event 129)

10:36 Róisín Ní Riain - 200m IM Heat (event 138)

19:24 Nicole Turner - 50m Butterfly Final (event 143)

19:24 Dearbhaile Brady - 50m Butterfly Final (event 143)

 

Para Swimming European Championships Team Ireland Results

Day 1: Róisín Ní Riain, 100m Butterfly Heat / 01:06.70 / 1st Place

Day 1: Róisín Ní Riain, 100m Butterfly Final / 01:06:32 / 2nd Place

Day 1: Dearbhaile Brady - 100m Backstroke Final / 1:50.58/ 6th Place

Day 2: Róisín Ní Riain - 100m Breaststroke Final / 01:18.00 / 1st Place

First-ever Para Triathlon Mixed Relay World Championships to take place at Championship Finals Torremolinos

 

World Triathlon is pleased to announce that the Championship Finals Torremolinos-Andalucia will host the first-ever World Triathlon Para Mixed Relay Championships on 20 October, after two years of the event being delivered at the World Triathlon Championship Finals as a test.

The Executive Board has also approved the award of a separate set of recognition medals to athletes with Intellectual Impairment competing in the Age-Group events at the 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships in Townsville, Australia, taking place on 15-25 August.

The Para Triathlon Mixed Relay made its official debut on the World Triathlon calendar as an Open Race at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Finals, with the ultimate goal of incorporating the dynamic new format into the roster of events across all levels, including the Paralympic Games.

The Para Triathlon Mixed Relay upholds similar principles to the Olympic Mixed Relay event that was such a resounding success at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Each team will consist of four Para athletes, two men and two women. Every team member will complete a full super-sprint triathlon (non-drafting): 125-150m swim, 3.5-4km bike, and 0.8-1km run. The team’s total time spans from the commencement of the first athlete to the conclusion of the 4th athlete covering the full distance.

After two years being held as an Open race, and Team Australia winning gold in Abu Dhabi 2022 and Team USA in Pontevedra 2023, the first-ever World Triathlon Para Mixed Relay Championships will take place as part of the World Triathlon Championship Finals Torremolinos-Andalucía next October.

World Triathlon Executive Board has also approved to give recognition to athletes with Intellectual Impairment who have already qualified in the Age-Group events with the full support of the Intellectual Impairment Working Group that has been seeking for opportunities for these athletes alongside World Triathlon or entities such as Virtus and Special Olympics for the last two years. The 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships in Townsville will award a separate set of medals to athletes with Intellectual Impairment – even if this impairment is currently not considered under the Para triathlon classification system but is an IPC-recognised impairment.

All athletes wishing to compete at the Townsville Multisport World Championships must meet their National Federation qualification criteria and follow the standard registration process.  The Athletes should have qualified for their own National Federation to compete at any of the Townsville Multisport World Championships, and go through the regular registration process.