Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee
WIN an AMAZING
TRAINING & RACE package AT
challenge kaiserwinkl-walchsee

Beth Potter opens up on her journey to the top after capping ‘dream season’ with a world title

Staff Reporter

The tears said it all for the brilliant Beth Potter as she took the tape to be crowned world triathlon champion in Pontevedra on Sunday after a sensational victory in the WTCS Grand Finals.

This was the exclamation point on what the Leeds-based Scot described as a “dream season”, the culmination of years of hard work since she gave up her track career to transition to swim, bike and run.

Advertisement

Potter’s determination shines through

For the 31-year-old, who had represented Great Britain in the 10,000m at the Rio Games in 2016, her win here and qualification for Paris 2024 comes after a long and testing climb to the top of the sport.

While not surprised with how far she has come, Beth revealed afterwards that a world title was not what she expected at the start of the season.

Beth Potter World Triathlon Championship Finals 2023
Photo Credit: Wagner Araujo / World Triathlon

“I am very determined and I will give it everything, so I am not surprised, but it has been tough and I just want to thank everyone in Leeds who has believed in me.

“I don’t think I would have believed it at the start of the year, but this has been a dream season and I am a little bit lost for words to be honest. Paris was the main goal, so winning the world championships is a bonus.” 

Advertisement

Beth stays patient to come out on top

Potter, giving a rundown on Sunday’s race, said that she hadn’t felt at her best in the swim and on the bike, but stayed patient and was able to come through with her characteristically fast run in the end to win the race ahead of team-mate Kate Waugh and French title rival Cassandre Beaugrand.

“I wasn’t actually feeling too good on the swim and bike today, so I had to be quite smart and work as hard as possible. I just bided my time and I was beginning to feel better and better throughout the race and then I backed myself, believed in all my training and trusted my ability in that last 10km.

“I felt good on the run and it was good having my team-mate [Kate Waugh] with me as well. It was really good to see Kate get her first World Series podium today.” 

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Latest News
Sam Long wins IRONMAN 703 Gulf Coast 2023 [Photo credit: Julio Aguilar / Getty Images for IRONMAN]
IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells: Start time, preview and how to follow live
Collin Chartier - PTO US Open 2022
World Anti-Doping Agency publish List of Prohibited Substances and Methods for 2024
David Tilbury-Davis is one of triathlon's most experienced coaches.
David Tilbury-Davis on the continuum of coaching, imposter syndrome and learning from his athletes
Taylor Knibb IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Bike Leg
What makes Taylor tick? Knibb on learning from experiences, Kona and Nice 2024
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
Racing his idol Alistair Brownlee a massive draw as Dan Dixon steps up for 70.3 Bahrain ‘experiment’