Triathlon’s first Esports World Championship titles will be awarded this weekend as Arena Games Triathlon powered by Zwift reaches a spectacular conclusion in Singapore. Britain’s Beth Potter is the heavy favourite in the women’s field but three others - including Olympic gold medallist Jessica Learmonth - can take the title with an outright win.
In the men’s Aurelien Raphael and
Justus Nieschlag are level on points heading into the Grand Final but know
victory for Alex Yee or Max Stapley would deliver either of them the title.
The Grand Final will be a first for
the hybrid real-life and esports format as all three disciplines will take place
outdoors at Marina Bay. The triathletes will start off with their swim leg in
Marina Reservoir 1 before completing their bike and run legs on smart trainers
and self-powered curved treadmills placed on the promenade of Marina Bay. The
triathletes will be treated to an unparalleled view of the Singapore skyline
and some of the city’s iconic landmarks as they bid for glory. The Singapore
Grand Final is the last of three events in the Arena Games Triathlon 2022
series, following races in Munich, won by Beth Potter and Aurelien Raphael, and
London, won by Cassandre Beaugrand and Justus Nieschlag.
Each stop contributes points to the
World Triathlon Rankings, with athletes who collect the most points over the
course of the series to be awarded the first-ever triathlon esport World Titles
in Singapore. There are double points on offer in Singapore as well as cash
bonuses and the all-important Series title. The Singapore event will also take
place over two days rather than one, with heats on Friday and a repechage and
the Final on Saturday.
Eight athletes arrive in Singapore
knowing a win in the Grand Final of Arena Games Triathlon powered by Zwift will
secure them the inaugural World Championship title. After two intense rounds of
action in Munich and London, there is so much on the line as the points
allocation doubles in Singapore. Beth Potter, Aurelien Raphael and Justus
Nieschlag toe the line with a maximum 250 points already on the board from
their previous victories. However, there are others lurking behind that can
take advantage if they slip up. And with a very different event with an outdoor
swim at Marina Bay Reservoir and the bike and run sections taking place outside
in the heat and humidity of Singapore, it remains very unpredictable.
Who are the leading contenders for
the esports triathlon World Championship crowns?
Women:
Beth Potter would appear to be the
one to beat. She was first in Munich and second in London to an imperious
performance from Cassandre Beaugrand, who is not in Singapore. That makes
Potter the only athlete on the start line with 250 points. However, with 500
for the win, she certainly cannot relax.
German pair Lena Meissner and Anabel
Knoll both collected enough points thanks to their podium finishes in Munich to
know that a surprise win would deliver them a world title.
Perhaps the biggest threat is Olympic
gold medallist Jessica Learmonth. The previous Arena Games winner was third in
London. That leaves her 36 points behind Potter. Should she win and Potter
finish second then Learmonth would take the title by a single point. An open
water swim could well suit Learmonth too. Georgia Taylor-Brown is an outside
shot still, but should she win she would need Potter to finish outside the top
two to take the title.
Men:
Aurelien Raphael will probably be
considered the man to beat. He was so impressive in winning in Munich and
London didn’t go his way with technical issues hampering his chances. Justus
Nieschlag took the win in London. He is proving an Arena Games specialist with
that his second race victory in this format. The pair will face off with a lot
on the line.
Also knowing that a win would bring
them the title are Alex Yee and Max Stapley. The latter has been a real find of
this year’s Arena Games Triathlon and though a Series win would be a shock he
has a lot of quality. Yee has not quite hit top form, but he knows he is one
win away from the title and that makes him extremely dangerous. He has shown he
can deal well with the heat and has the temperament to perform under pressure.
The Singapore event will take place
over two days rather than one, with heats on Friday 7th May and a repechage and
the Final on Saturday 8th May. Review the full start lists here.
ABOUT WORLD TRIATHLON
World Triathlon is the international
governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of triathlon and all
related multisport disciplines around the world, including duathlon, aquathlon,
cross triathlon and winter triathlon. Triathlon made its Olympic debut in
Sydney 2000, with a third medal event, the Mixed Team Relay, added to the
programme at Tokyo 2020, while para triathlon was first added to the Paralympic
programme at Rio 2016. World Triathlon is proudly committed to the development
of the sport worldwide, with inclusion, equality, sustainability and
transparency at our core as we seek to help triathletes at all levels of the
sport to be extraordinary.
No comments:
Post a Comment