Search
shop

Flora Duffy dominates World Triathlon Yokohama

ITU World Champion Flora Duffy returns to racing action to earn a third career World Triathlon Series victory in Japan
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Advertisement

World Champion Flora Duffy returns with a big win in Japan

Sophie Coldwell comes close to a first WTS podium. 5 Brits in top 11

Lots of rain, smooth tarmac, tricky white lines and plenty of corners on the nine lap bike course produced anything but a ‘procession’ race in Yokohama, Japan today, venue of the third World Triathlon Series race of the 2017 season.

One person who isn’t a fan of cold and wet is Andrea Hewitt (NZL), winner of the first two races in Abu Dhabi and Gold Coast. She would not be a factor in the race at all today, eventually finishing 23rd and almost five minutes behind today’s winner, Flora Duffy.

No surprises in the swim. Great Britain’s Jessica Learmonth set the (fast) pace, and Lucy Hall, Sophie Coldwell and 2016 World Champion, Flora Duffy, were among the swim speedsters that stayed with her. Over the last 12 months we’ve seen the Hall-Learmonth duo race in tandem, often pulling away on the bike in European Cup and World Cup races – could they do that at WTS level today?

Jessica Learmonth

It was actually 22 year old Sophie Coldwell who would be the strongest Brit on the bike today, making light of the conditions, and joining ITU’s best cyclist, Duffy, to form a breakaway that would last the whole race and eventually reach T2 with a lead that was approaching a minute and a half. It was impressive riding – with Sophie contributing to the effort too.

Non Stanford had an early spill on the bike in the tricky conditions. Jess Learmonth also hit the deck late in the race – but both were able to recover – and still earn top ten places. Kudos to both.

Coldwell had a better transition than World Champion Duffy, hitting the run course first (as she did in her first ever WTS race in London two years ago). That day she drifted back to 27th but two years on and now 22 years old, Coldwell has continued to develop and for much of the run it looked as though she may join the small club (currently of four) of British female athletes to secure and ITU World Triathlon Series podium.

While Duffy soon passed her and would go on to secure the biggest winning margin ever since the World Triathlon Series was started in 2009, Coldwell was looking composed – but being chased by the U.S. pairing of Zaferes and Kasper. Could she hang on?

Zaferes had also had issues in the race, delayed when Learmonth had her spill on the bike, but her experience would come through. While Duffy dominated, Zaferes got the better of Kirsten Kasper for third, while Coldwell held off a fast closing Vicky Holland for fourth. Add in Non Stanford (7th), Jessica Learmonth (8th) and Lucy Hall (11th) and that was a strong in-dpeth performance from the British women.

Overall though, the day belonged to Flora Duffy – with everyone else a long, long way behind. The World Champion Is back – and maybe looks better than ever?

“I didn’t know what I would have in the tank… but I kept reminding myself, you are the world champion! I knew the bike would be decisive and it’s great to win my first race of the year”, said Flora immediately after her win.

ITU World Triathlon Yokohama – Saturday 13th May 2017
1.5km / 40km / 10km

1st – Flora Duffy (BER) – 1:56:18
2nd – Katie Zaferes (USA) +1:51
3rd – Kirsten Kasper (USA) +1:59
4th – Sophie Coldwell (GBR) +2:30
5th – Vicky Holland (GBR) +2:32
6th – Ashleigh Gentle (AUS) +2:39
7th – Non Stanford (GBR) +2:46
8th – Jessica Learmonth (GBR) +3:00
9th – Clare Michel (BEL) +3:08
10th – Natalie Van Coevorden (AUS) +3:14
11th – Lucy Hall (GBR) +3:17

World Rankings after Yokohama (Race 3)

1st – Katie Zaferes (USA) – 1874
2nd – Andrea Hewitt (NZL) – 1744
3rd – Kirsten Kasper (USA) – 1416
4th – Ashleigh Gentle (AUS) – 1282
5th – Gillian Backhouse (AUS) – 1059

8th – Jodie Stimpson (GBR) – 988
19th – Sophie Coldwell (GBR) – 633
22nd – Vicky Holland (GBR) – 586
24th – Non Stanford (GBR) – 501
26th – Jessica Learmonth (GBR) – 464
30th – Lucy Hall (GBR) – 367
35th – india Lee (GBR) – 248

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
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
FORM Smart Swim 2 PRO lens close up
FORM Smart Swim Pro 2 Goggles review: can these high tech goggles actually help you to train smarter and swim faster?
Premium‘The difference from triathlon is so big – there’s no comparison’: Maya Kingma on life in the Women’s WorldTour peloton
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
TRIFIT VORTEX tri suit
The small but mighty tri brand you NEED to know about: Why TRI-FIT are on a mission to disrupt the triathlon apparel scene
latest News
Julia Skala end of Norseman 2025
“A fight for self-worth, strength and healing,” Julia Skala on world’s toughest triathlon
Steve McKenna got the win at the 40th edition of IRONMAN New Zealand.
Star IRONMAN athlete clocks a sub-2:20 marathon – and says there’s more to come
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘Yo Yo Yo – London is calling’ – Sam Long the latest big name added to stellar T100 start lists
Kristian Grue wins Norseman 2025
Norseman 2025: Grue and Skala conquer ‘Zombie Hill’ and the world’s TOUGHEST triathlon
Hayden Wilde happy T100 Singapore 2025
Hayden Wilde – is he BACK for T100 London after injury nightmare?
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.

£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

£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...