Since its inception, supertri has been a breeding ground for young triathlon talent, with future Olympic medallists such as Hayden Wilde using the short, sharp races to hone their skills on their way to becoming the next big thing in triathlon.
The creation of supertri E racing has only increased the number of opportunities for rising stars to make their mark, with the 2023 series helping hidden gems such as Fanni Szalai and Jack Stanton-Stock to launch their careers.
As we countdown to the supertri E World Triathlon Championship in London next weekend, we comb through the start lists and bring you six stars of the future who are ones to watch as they look to get their break to the big time with supertri.
The men’s start list features plenty of supertri favourites, including Jonny Brownlee, Chase McQueen and Max Stapley. But beyond those big names, who else should you have an eye on as the racing unfolds in London?
Simon Henseleit
Nationality: Germany
Notable result: Reigning U23 World Champion
One of the standout names on the men’s start list is German Simon Henseleit, the reigning World U23 Champion and World Triathlon #36 who is just 24-years-old. Henseleit, who first competed over the virtual format two years ago at the Arena Games Triathlon events in both Munich and London, is also currently the #7 German in the Olympic rankings.
One to watch in the build up to the LA Olympic Games in 2028, the German has been widely tipped by many as a future World Champion, with next weekend’s race in London the perfect opportunity to underline that talent.
Reese Vannerson
Nationality: USA
Notable result: 1st place at Americas Triathlon Cup 2024
Next up, the youngest athlete in the field is 2005 born American Reese Vannerson, who has finished on the podium in a third of his professional career starts to date. From Texas, Vannerson recently won the Americas Triathlon Cup in Barbados and was sixth at the World Junior Championships in Hamburg, Germany last season.
Notably, Vannerson competed in the Super League Triathlon Championship Series for the RTS Warriors last year, topping the run leaderboard throughout the series.
Henry Graf
Nationality: Germany
Notable result: Part of winning team in U23 Mixed Relay 2023
Finally, another athlete from Germany who has massively impressed over the past 12 months is Henry Graf, who was part of his country’s winning U23 Mixed Team Relay last season.
The 2002 born star, racing supertri for the first time, made the step up to the senior ranks in 2022 and has consistently finished amongst the Top 10 at a number of European Triathlon Cup events.
A talented relay athlete, his ability over the shorter and sharper formats will be an asset when he lines up in London this weekend to take on the rounds at the E World Triathlon Championship.
The women’s race at the supertri E World Championship is set to bring fireworks, with some of the world’s best short course athletes including Katie Zaferes, Beth Potter, Cassandre Beaugrand and Vicky Holland set to battle it out as they show their form on the road to Paris 2024. But there are also some exciting young athletes who could mix things up and will be looking to make a statement as they compete against the top names in the sport.
Fanni Szalai
Nationality: Hungary
Notable result: 3rd place at supertri Arena Games Sursee and five consecutive European Triathlon Junio Cup wins in 2023
Leading the list of next generation talents on the women’s side in London is none other than Fanni Szalai, who being born in 2008, is five years younger than the next youngest competitor in the field. The Hungarian, unstoppable since her podium at the Arena Games Triathlon in Sursee last season, has won five consecutive Europe Triathlon Junior Cup races since May 2023.
Starting the 2024 season as she meant to go on, Szalai was victorious at her first race of the year in Quarteira last month, where her winning margin was over 40 seconds.
Barbara de Konig
Nationality: Netherlands
Notable result: 3rd place at 2024 African Triathlon Cup
Alongside Szalai, Barbara De Koning is another young athlete who has been making waves since her time as a junior, with the Dutch athlete boasting an impressive 62 starts since 2018, despite only being 22 years old.
Having made her WTCS debut in 2021, De Koning is experienced beyond her years and is an outside contender for a spot on the Dutch Olympic team bound for Paris this summer. After finishing 14th at the Arena Games Finals in London last year, the World #97 will look to go even better next weekend against a top field of competitors.
Dominika Peszleg
Nationality: Hungary
Notable result: Top 10 finish at Arena Games Montreal 2023
Finally, rounding out our rising stars guide is another Hungarian athlete, Dominika Peszleg, who is already a proven entity over this format. Finishing in the Top 10 last year at the Arena Games Triathlon event in Montreal, Peszleg also competed at the finals in London and will use her experience to her advantage on April 13.
Having made her WTCS debut last season, the 2002 born athlete joins De Koning and Szalai as one of the athletes who on their day can shock the more established women in the field.
With its fast and furious race format, supertri E is an event where anything can happen. Could these young guns shake things up and challenge the big names for a spot on the podium? It’ll be all eyes on London to find out!
