She may be the most experienced and decorated athlete in the field but Gwen Jorgensen still admits there will be “a fair share of nerves” ahead of this weekend’s WTCS opener in Abu Dhabi.

The 2016 Olympic champion has been on an upward trajectory over the last 12 months as she continues her comeback to the sport after six years out, during which time she started a family.

She had to travel far and wide in the first year back to boost her ranking but last season she regularly made the start lists at WTCS events and finished the campaign strongly with a sixth at WTCS Weihai and then 12th in the Grand Final in Torremolinos before rounding it off with victory at the World Cup in Miyazaki in mid-November.

All of which means she will sport #9 when the WTCS campaign opens with a sprint-distance race on the all-new Hudayriat island course on Saturday.

‘So many unknowns’

And writing on her Instagram page ahead of that she said: “The first race of the season always brings its fair share of nerves…There are so many unknowns, especially this year with the race schedule changes, race location changes, and most recently today a race course change.

“Here’s how I approach it:

“Nerves and readiness are feelings. They come and go and are not reality, but instead predictions about the future. I try to bring myself back to the present moment. Focus on what I can control: effort, pacing, and execution.

“I stay curious – Every race is a chance to learn something new about myself. And I remain adaptable. I have a race plan, but not the typical type. Instead of writing how I want to perform, I write down how I will execute and react to the ever-changing challenges of race day.

“Mindset is just as important as fitness. I’ve learned to embrace the unknown and trust the work I’ve put in.”

Gwen one of the favourites

In the absence of the last two world champions – Cassandre Beaugrand and Beth Potter – Jorgensen will be one of just four women on the start list who have won a top tier event in the past.

Germany’s Olympic Mixed Team Relay gold medal winners Lisa Tertsch and Laura Lindemann plus France’s Leonie Periault are the others.

And two athletes who have both gone close in the past and will be aiming to stand on the top step before heading off to the T100 middle-distance races are Britain’s Kate Waugh and Jorgensen’s fellow American Taylor Spivey.

Click here for a full preview of Saturday’s race, including details as to how to watch live.