Canadian ITU speedsters to race debut event in Chicago this weekend.

This weekend marks the debut of the ITU World Triathlon Series Chicago race. One-hundred and thirty of the world’s fastest triathletes – 65 elite men and 65 elite women – will compete in the draft-legal, Olympic-distance race (1,500 m swim, 40 km bike, 10 km run). Chicago will also play host to the 2015 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final.

Headlining the women’s race on Saturday is Olympian Gwen Jorgenson who was the first American to win a WTS event last year in San Diego. Canada’s Kirsten Sweetland and Joanna Brown will be on the start line as well.  Athletes will swim two-laps of Lake Michigan before riding an eight loop bike course through Chicago’s downtown core then running a four-lap run along Columbus Drive on Saturday.

Helen Jenkins will be Great Britain’s threat with compatriot Jodie Stimpson absent from the start list. Following a year off from racing due to injury, Jenkins scored top three performances in Auckland and Cape Town. Both Jenkins and Jorgenson are strong through all disciplines. Japan’s Ai Ueda will also be in contention if her recent wins at the Huatulco World Cup, as well as a silver from WTS Yokohama are an indication. Australian Emma Moffatt (and 2008 Olympic bronze medallist) is likely to be out front as well. The women’s race will start at 1:30 pm EST.

The elite men’s race will go on Sunday at 3:00pm EST. Canada’s Kyle Jones and Andrew Yorke will  be on the start list alongside Spain’s dynamic duo Javier Gomez and Mario Mola, as well as Russia’s Richard Murra. Follow all the events live with timing and text updates, at triathlon.org/live and on twitter at @triathlonlive. You can pick who you think will be on the men’s and women’s podiums through TRIFECTA.