Kate Waugh breaks record in debut and Hayden Wilde gets heated as they take gold in Singapore
Most of the field was destroyed by heat and poor performance as some of the biggest names fell to their knees at the latest T100 race
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World Triathlon
In a record-breaking weekend filled with high drama, newcomer to long distance racing, Kate Waugh, won by a landslide. Hayden Wilde stamped his dominance on the distance with a hard-fought victory in the men’s race.
Great Britain’s Waugh finished ahead of the women’s field in almost seven minutes, setting a record winning margin in any T100 race. She destroyed a field with favourites Ashleigh Gentle from Australia, Great Britain’s queen and 2023 Ironman World Championships, Lucy Charles-Barclay, and Olympic gold medallist Flora Duffy from Bermuda.
Gentle and Charles-Barclay both spoke out on social media after the race to reveal they hadn’t felt well and never managed to extract the power and fitness they’d developed in preparation for the race. Extreme heat played on the athletes and likely factored into their lack-lustre performances. Duffy reported she’d had some hip issues that lead to an early end to her race.
Outstanding debut for Waugh
Waugh’s win was a stunner, considering Gentle is a two-time Singapore champion, and given Charles-Barclay’s pedigree, who at least managed to claim the final spot on the podium after a tough fight.
Crossing the finish line in 3:45:18, Waugh surged to the top of the T100 standings, setting the tone for the rest of the season.
“I didn’t come in expecting this,” said Waugh post-race. “To race my first T100 and win like this, especially against such incredible athletes, is unreal,” said Waugh.
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Stacked field fell like dominos
The race kicked off in the warm waters of Marina Bay, where Lucy Charles-Barclay and fellow Brit Jessica Learmonth stormed to an early lead. At the 1km swim mark, Flora Duffy and Ashleigh Gentle were holding strong, keeping the lead group tight.
By the end of the swim, Learmonth had taken charge, narrowing the front pack to just a few athletes. Waugh was just 15 seconds back less than halfway through the bike. Charles-Barclay was already trailing, while Duffy and India Lee began to lose touch and would end up taking DNFs.
Learmonth remained strong through the halfway mark on the bike, but began to show signs of fatigue. Waugh continued to close the gap, and by the time they hit T2, Learmonth’s cramps had ended any hopes for a good day. She eventually dropped to thirteenth and Ashleigh Gentle to sixth, in what turned out to be an unpredictable day of carnage. Waugh took the lead early in the 18km run and never looking back. Eventually, Australia’s Lisa Perterer took second, with Charles-Barclay in third.
Wilde proved toughest in the heat
Following Waugh’s victory on Saturday, New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde delivered a tough performance on another extremely hot day. The Olympic silver medalist proved he’s still at the top of his game on a long course, and come out swinging on the bike course.
But it was his run that drove the point home. Wilde managed a 3:01 per kilometre pace over 18km in stifling conditions.
“It was brutal out there, but I love a challenge,” Wilde said. “The heat, the pacing, the tactics. It all came together today.”
A tight swim and terse bike
The men’s field was deep with talent. Short-course elites like Vincent Luis, Marten Van Riel, Leo Bergere, Max Stapley, and Tyler Mislawchuk led a fast swim, exiting Marina Bay well ahead of known strong cyclists like Sam Long and Nicholas Mann.On the bike, German newcomer Rico Bogen surged to the front early, but Wilde was not far behind.
By the 20km mark, Wilde had worked his way into third, but also worked himself up. Frustrated on the bike course, he was caught on camera twice yelling at the other riders who were making is hard for him to make a legal pass. He managed to execute without penalty and was all smiles the next time the camera caught up with him.
At the sixth bike loop, Wilde passed Bogen, with the two riding together into T2. The run, however, belonged to Wilde.
Within the first few kilometres, Wilde and Bogen pulled away from the chase pack. Wilde. Bergere was able to move into second, and Van Riel into third. Bogen eventually fell back, leaving Bergere with silver and Van Riel with bronze.
The action now shifts toward the next T100 event in Canada, with both Waugh and Wilde riding serious momentum coming into Vancouver for its virgin hosting of a T100 event.