Search
shop

Team USA win Gold at Accenture World Triathlon Mixed Relay Nottingham

Mixed Relay Triathlon? Spectacular. Team USA came out on top amid some exciting racing on Thursday evening at the Accenture World Triathlon Mixed Relay Nottingham
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Another great day of racing in Nottingham

In September 2017, I said after the inaugural British Triathlon MIxed Relay Cup Nottingham:

“It was an impressive debut. I hope now that the concept is both sustainable and can be expanded. It was an impressive start, congratulations to everyone involved.

Less than 12 months later – and with the event now having upgraded status as part of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games qualifying process – the Accenture World Triathlon Mixed Relay Nottingham provided another display of just why the format is so popular with spectators and viewers. Long may it continue.

Exciting, dynamic racing with lots of position changes and tactics as the racing developed, I was in a prime position to both see it and call it, from the on-site commentary position for the spectators on Victoria Embankment in Nottingham.

Catch up on the news courtesy of the report from British Triathlon below. For me? Well, I’ve got to get on a bus now for another two days of commentary at World Triathlon Leeds…


Great Britain’s Mixed Relay team delighted the large crowds in Nottingham by winning silver behind Team USA as qualification opened for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The British quartet of Non Stanford, Tom Bishop, Vicky Holland and Jonathan Brownlee performed exceptionally well, but just fell short of catching the Americans at the Accenture World Triathlon Mixed Relay.

Non Stanford took the opening leg, diving off the pontoon and into the River Trent in front of thousands of fans lining both sides of the river. USA got into an early lead after the 300m swim through Kirsten Kasper, who maintained her lead on the 14km bike and 1.5km run. However, it was all change on the second leg, where France got in front through Pierre Le Corre, building upon the great first leg from Cassandra Beaugrand.

Leg three saw USA regain the lead as Katie Zaferes put in a monster swim before powering away on the bike. Vicky Holland moved the British team up to third and then handed over to Jonathan Brownlee. USA’s Matthew McElroy claimed the victory, despite losing a bit of time to Brownlee, who looked to be in excellent form with the ITU World Triathlon Leeds ahead of him on Sunday.

Brownlee said: “Unfortunately, the Americans were just too good for us today, the women especially were very very strong and the men finished it off very well. It’s probably the worst position to be in, leading with everyone chasing you, but he was strong and I couldn’t catch them.”

He added: “We need to learn things about aerodynamics, about order, about who are the best athletes to be in the relay, and hopefully today we started to do that.”

Vicky Holland said: “Today was a really good start to our campaign to get our team into the Olympics. Being on the podium, you can’t ask for too much more than that. Obviously, we would have loved to be on the top of the podium, but the Americans were really strong.”

As the light and temperature faded in Nottingham, athletes were already focusing on getting ready for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds on Sunday afternoon.

Brownlee said: “I’m looking forward to it, I’m a lot fitter than I was in the Gold Coast. I’m ready to race and a lot more confident.”

Highlights from the Accenture World Triathlon Mixed Relay are available at 1:20pm on Saturday on BBC One. Live coverage from the AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds starts at 1pm on Sunday 10 June on BBC2.

Partner reaction:

Esther Britten, Head of Major Events at UK Sport: 

“Tokyo 2020 feels one step closer, with our elite athletes competing in the first qualification event and working hard to ensure GB is on the start line at the Games. Event hosting partners should feel very proud today, the atmosphere across Nottingham has been fantastic with the city really embracing the event and providing their support to both the mass participation and elites races.”

Emma McGuigan, Accenture Senior Managing Director:

“From crowning our Accenture Mixed Team Challenge winners to cheering on the top triathlon nations as they battled it out for the podium, the City of Nottingham has been treated to a fantastic display of triathlon action today. We are proud to have championed mixed gender team participation in the Accenture World Triathlon Mixed Relay Nottingham and are delighted to increase opportunities for everyone to take part in the sport.”

Andy Salmon, Chief Executive of British Triathlon: 

“From triathlon beginners crossing the finish line for the very time, all the way to our elite stars going head-to-head for glory, the Accenture World Triathlon Mixed Relay Nottingham has truly been a day to remember. The city of Nottingham has whole-heartedly got behind the sport’s newest discipline and it was fantastic to see Great Britain put in a show-stopping performance in front of a home crowd.”

Results:

1st – United States – 1:21:16
2nd – Great Britain – 1:21:45
3rd – France – 1:21:57
4th – Australia – 1:21:58
5th – Netherlands – 1:22:02
6th – Switzerland – 1:22:14

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
tri-fit vortex tri suit review
TRI-FIT VORTEX tri suit review – race day approved performance
Maja Stage Nielsen Kat Matthews Jocelyn McCauley IRONMAN Texas 2023 podium photo credit IRONMAN
PremiumRacing to keep up: Is social media making us train harder?
Cadomotus chronos aero triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL
PremiumTraining to heart rate vs power on the bike
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
latest News
Hayden Wilde wins T100 London 2025
T100 French Riviera 2025: Date, start time, who’s racing and how to watch live
Jeanne Lehair Georgia Taylor Brown Fanni Szalai Supertri Chicago
Supertri Chicago 2025 women’s results: Lehair holds off Olympic star Taylor-Brown
Alberto Gonzalez Garcia wins Supertri Chicago
Supertri Chicago 2025 men’s results: Speedy Gonzalez Garcia STUNS the big names
Jeanne Lehair Supertri Chicago 2025
WATCH AGAIN: Supertri Chicago 2025 as Lehair and Gonzalez Garcia take the wins
Tim Don Supertri Toronto 2025
Tim Don: Watch out for Jonny Brownlee bounce back and Fanni Szalai at Supertri Chicago
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...