Previewing the Tongyeong ITU Triathlon World Cup

The 2012 ITU Triathlon World Cup season takes one step closer to coming to a close with Tongyeong slated for this Saturday. As the penultimate stop on the world cup schedule, athletes are in for a treat with another tough bike course, which includes two hills with grades of 13% and 15%. As the birth city of the ITU World Triathlon Series, Tongyeong has seen numerous nail-biting finishes. The sixth World Cup to be held in the coastal Korean city is sure to be no different as athletes vie for the podium.

ABOUT THE RACE:

This race marks the sixth year Tongyeong has hosted an ITU Triathlon World Cup, with the first taking place in 2003. The portal South Korean town hosted the first ITU World Triathlon series in 2009. The city was also home to the ITU Asian Cup in 2005 and 2006. This year, Tongyeong continues its rich triathlon tradition as the eighth stop on the World Cup circuit. The course is laid out over a port and includes two testing hills before finishing off on a fast and flat run course.

SCHEDULE:

Elite Women

Saturday 22 September – 08:00am UTC/GMT +7  Time in your area

Elite Men

Saturday 22 September – 11:00 am UTC/GMT+7

WEBSITES:

triathlon.org

triathlon.or.kr

START LISTS:

Women’s start list

Men’s start list
PRIZE MONEY:
$50,000 USD (equal for men & women)

LIVE COVERAGE:
Follow all the events live through with timing and text updates, at triathlon.org/live and on twitter at @triathlonlive.

COURSE PROFILE:

Swim – 1500m – The athletes will begin the day with a pontoon start into the ocean for a two-lap swim. Competitors must exit after the first lap on the pontoon to dive back in for the second lap.

Bike – 40km – Athletes will bike five laps, which includes two steep hills on each lap.
Run – 10km – The day will finish with a flat and furious four-lap push for the finish.

STORIES TO WATCH FOR:

A Family Affair:
In the men’s race, Russia and Australia occupy the top five slots on the start list with brothers Dmitry Polyanskiy and Igor Polyanskiy favoured to podium. Dmitry, who is ranked sixth on the ITU World Triathlon Series rankings, will be a formidable force in each discipline and both should lead out of the water. The hilly course could then provide a keen opportunity for the brothers to work together for a breakaway. Tongyeong has treated Dmitry well in past years, having collected gold at the World Cup last year, as well as bronze in the first ITU World Triathlon Series race in 2009.

Elite Women

New Zealand Olympian Nicky Samuels will wear number one at the start for the women’s race. Known for her powerful cycling, Samuels will be difficult to beat if she is in the lead pack off the swim and and in her comfort zone on the challenging bike course. The Kiwi will receive opposition from Poland’s Maria Czesnik and Agnieszka Jerzyk, both of whom represented their country in London this summer. Australia will feature a handful of young athletes brimming with potential. Led by Charlotte McShane and junior standout Ashlee Bailie, expect these fresh faces to attempt breakthrough performances. Don’t count out Japan’s Yuka Sato to pose a threat as well.

Elite Men

Expect Olympian Jan Celustka (CZE) to challenge the Russians, along with teammate and fellow Olympian Premysl Svarc (CZE). Similar to the women’s race, Australia will showcase some of its younger talent in Ryan Fisher and Ryan Bailie. With just a few years on the elite circuit behind them, the pair of Ryans could be dangerous with their thirst for a World Cup top three finish.

PAST TONGYEONG WORLD CUP RESULTS

WOMEN                                                      MEN

2011 Jessica Harrison (FRA)                    Dmitry Polyanskiy (RUS)

2010 Jodie Swallow (GBR)                       Dan Wilson (AUS)

2009* Emma Snowsill (AUS)                   Bevan Docherty (NZL)

2008 Samantha Warriner (NZL)             Tim Don (GBR)

2004 Leandra Cave (GBR)                        Dmitriy Gaag (KAZ)

2003 Laura Bennett (USA)                        Chris Hill (AUS)