Search
shop

Herbalife24 Triathlon Los Angeles 2021: Emma and Vincent head Tinseltown cast

The USA has proven a happy hunting ground for Great Britain's Emma Pallant-Browne in 2021. Next stop is Los Angeles on Sunday
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -

Believe it or not, not all triathlon-related activity in California this Sunday will take place in Sacramento – there is action in Los Angeles too!

As well as IRONMAN California which we’ve covered extensively over the last 10 days, the City of Angels will also see several high-profile names racing at the Herbalife24 Triathlon Los Angeles.

If the event sounds familiar, then it’s likely because last month the PTO announced a major new partnership with the May 2022 edition of the race. Plenty of PTO athletes are on the start list this Sunday to check out the race before next year.

Advertisement

PRO Women

One of the long-standing classics on the U.S. circuit, this non-drafting Olympic-distance event will welcome plenty of familiar names racing for a $40,000 prize purse.

Great Britain’s Emma Pallant-Browne has already had significant success in the U.S. this year, including one of the other iconic races of the sport, the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. After returning to her new home (South Africa) following the 70.3 World Champs in St. George, she returns for two back-to-back races.

Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon 2021 / Emma Pallant-Browne

With her background in World Triathlon racing over the Sprint and Olympic distance, combined with her 2021 form – including a new coach and much improved bike set up – I make her the favourite to take her victory count for the season to five.

Such has been her strong form that fifth at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in St. George (the only race she didn’t finish on the podium to date in 2021), will be regarded as solid, but slightly disappointing. And that is meant as a compliment.

Canada’s Paula Findlay – another with a significant Olympic-distance history too – is also on the start list and could well be doing the same LA Triathlon / Oceanside 70.3 back-to-back combo as Emma. Paula had to skip the 70.3 World Champs due to injury, so will surely be uber-keen to get back into racing mode.

Paula Findlay / PTO 2020 Championship / Challenge Daytona 2020

PRO Men – Vincent Luis the one to beat

Top-ranked male athlete looks set to be Vincent Luis. He’s been in California recently, taking the opportunity to visit the ‘WIN’ tunnel of his bike sponsor, Specialized, to optimise and work on the aerodynamics and positioning of his TT bike. This will be an ideal opportunity to put those learnings into racing practice.

Super League Triathlon Munich, Vincent Luis

Like Pallant-Browne, the USA’s Ben Kanute was the champion at the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon this year (his fourth win), and he will have spent many years racing against Vincent Luis in the World Triathlon Series. A non-drafting format will aid his chances of success, but it will still be a big job to beat the French athlete.

Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon 2021 / Ben Kanute

We’ll throw in just one more name to watch – and that’s primarily because he doesn’t (yet, perhaps), have the profile that a big recent result deserves.

The 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship proved to be an excellent one for Denmark, who filled three of the top eight positions in the men’s race. Fourth place was a career-best result for Miki Taagholt, whose previous career highlights were third places in 2019 at IRONMAN 70.3 events in Gdynia and Indian Wells. If Miki can match that St. George form, he can be in podium contention again.

You can check out the full start list by clicking here ahead of Sunday’s race.

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
Challenge Family Kaiserwinkle-Walchsee triathlon bike
The ultimate triathlon bike courses to ride before you die
TRI247 Wahoo KICKR RUN treadmill review
Wahoo KICKR RUN treadmill review – can Wahoo do for treadmill running what they did for indoor cycling?
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
5 ways to improve your FTP – Expert tips to level up your cycling
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
sumarpo triathlon swimming wetsuit
Wetsuit buying guide – How to choose the best wetsuit for triathlon, open water swimming, SwimRun and cold water
latest News
Joe Skipper IRONMAN Lake Placid Results 2023
British triathlon star Joe Skipper challenges Norwegian greats as he flies off for comeback race
gustav-iden-kristian-blummenfelt-kona-2022-run-7
IRONMAN reveals list of BANNED super shoes for 2025 triathlon season
Ruth Daniels British Triathlon CEO
British Triathlon CEO on her first year in charge and trying to move the dial from surviving to thriving
Alex Yee run palm trees Torremolinos WTCS Grand Final 2024 photo credit World Triathlon
Why the London Marathon can make Olympic champ Alex Yee EVEN BETTER at triathlon
Lionel Sanders training pic August 2023 photo credit Talbot Cox
Lionel Sanders details new training mantra ahead of 2025 triathlon season
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

Share to...