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Star-Studded Line Up at the Barfoot & Thompson World Triathlon Auckland

Photo: Delly Carr/ ITU
Photo: Delly Carr/ ITU

The depth of talent at this weekend’s WTS season opener, the Barfoot & Thompson World Triathlon Auckland, is certain to make for some close racing. While women’s favourite Non Stanford will sit out the race, Jodie Stimpson, the  2013 World Championship silver medallist will be a force to reckon with as will two-time World Champion Helen Jenkins, who missed last season due to injury. 

American Gwen Jorgenson was on fire last year when she became the first US female to win not just one WTS title, but three of them. While a crash forced her out of the World Championship race, Jorgensen won gold last month at the Mooloolaba World Cup. Her presence will be feared on the race course as will that of Olympic bronze medallist Emma Moffatt and consistent performer, Olympian Sarah Groff. 

On the mens’ side, the Gomez  and Brownlee rivalry continues. Gomez out-sprinted Jonathan Brownlee the last time they were in Auckland and this weekend they go head to head again. The only thing the Brownlees have to fear more than Gomez is each other.

Although the Brownlee duo have dominated ITU racing in recent history, Govez now has a partner in crime in Mario Mola who beat his friend and compatriot in Mooloolaba with a sub- 14 minute 5 km run spit. A second-place finish at Auckland last year led to a top three ranking at the end of the 2013 season. He has already won two World Cup races this year.

The women’s race will start at 12:10pm local time on Sunday, April 6, while the men open their WTS season later in the day at 3:40pm local time. Don’t miss the action this weekend follow the races live: https://triathlonlive.tv