Sanders Opens His Season as Triathlon Delivers a Packed Weekend of Racing
An exciting weekend of racing awaits for fans of the sport - and fans of Lionel Sanders.
Ironman
Triathlon fans will have no shortage of racing to follow this weekend, with the professional calendar set to deliver action on both sides of the Atlantic.
In Texas, the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Dallas–Little Elm will host more than 80 professional athletes racing for $40,000 USD in prize money and two Ironman 70.3 World Championship qualification slots per gender. Meanwhile, in the Canary Islands, the World Triathlon Cup Lanzarote will mark the island’s debut on the World Cup circuit with a stacked international field.
Both races promise compelling storylines as several big names make their first appearances of the 2026 season.
Sanders Set to Open His Season at Ironman 70.3 Dallas–Little Elm
The inaugural Ironman 70.3 Dallas–Little Elm will take place Sunday, March 15th, and one of the biggest storylines is the season debut of Canadian star Lionel Sanders.
Sanders recently shared on social media that he completed a full 12-week block of uninterrupted training leading into the race. While acknowledging some insecurities heading into the season opener, the Canadian framed the uncertainty as part of what he enjoys most about racing.
“Excited to get back out there and crush one this weekend,” he wrote.
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Long-time followers of Sanders’ career will recall that the Canadian has built a reputation for delivering podium performances in his opening races of the year, making him an immediate contender despite the typical unknowns that accompany a season debut.
He will face a competitive field that includes Rudy Von Berg, Sam Appleton, Leonard Arnold, Ben Kanute, and Mark Dubrick, among many others, ensuring the men’s race remains wide open.
On the women’s side, the start list features several proven performers including Jackie Hering, Vittoria Lopes, and Minttu Hukka, setting up what could become a tightly contested race from start to finish.
World Cup Debut for Lanzarote
This weekend will also mark the debut of the World Triathlon Cup Lanzarote, bringing elite short-course racing to one of triathlon’s most iconic destinations.
The sprint-distance race will take place March 14th at Playa de las Cucharas and will feature a start list of 56 women and 69 men.
Canadian fans will be watching closely as Isla Britton and Sidney Clement line up in the women’s race. Among the favourites is Georgia Taylor-Brown, who returns to the World Cup circuit for just the second time since 2020.
The men’s race is equally stacked. Spain’s David Cantero del Campo will wear bib number one following a breakout 2025 season that culminated in a runner-up finish to Matt Hauser at the World Triathlon Championship Finals. Starting in the number two position is former world champion Dorian Coninx, adding further depth to a field that promises an explosive sprint-distance showdown.
The race will be broadcast live on TriathlonLive, where fans can follow what is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic World Cup events of the early season.