Search
shop

“The hardest race I’ve ever done” – Katie Zaferes talks supertri E London

"That might have been the hardest race I've ever done" - Katie Zaferes talks about her supertri E debut experience
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

The USA’s Katie Zaferes has done almost everything in the sport, but found herself in new territory on Saturday.

Making her debut in the format, the 2019 World Triathlon Champion and Tokyo 2020 silver and bronze medalist took third place at the supertri E World Championship, won by Great Britain’s Beth Potter.

I spoke to her shortly after that final, to get her reaction on an intense day of racing.

“Very painful”

When we spoke to Katie in her pre-race interview, she said that she expected her tactics to be quite simple – just go hard from start to finish. An impressive and relatively comfortable qualification performance meant that she didn’t have to go to the max on Saturday morning, so I asked if the finals provided what she expected… or perhaps feared?!

“I followed my strategy, and it was very painful… and that might have been the hardest race I’ve ever done. Especially on the bike, I was just really struggling to maintain any power. It didn’t come as naturally as I would say out on the roads for me, but I’m really happy with the result in the end.”

Katie Zaferes supertri E World Championship London 2024
[Photo Credit – supertri]

All pre-race predictions had this as a Potter vs. Beaugrand showdown given their performances here over the past three years, so given that, surely third place with no prior experience was a huge positive?

“For sure, I mean Beth and Cassandre I know what they’ve accomplished and what form they are in right now. I was 30 seconds behind so it wasn’t super close and it didn’t come down to a sprint finish for me or anything, but also, it was just good to see points of the race where I knew that it’s there.”

Turning doubts into strengths

So, what was the experience like of taking on something completely new? Katie admitted that she had to work hard mentally to provide her with the freedom to perform.

“This format really put me out of my comfort zone. I didn’t really consider doing this style of racing, but I was looking at all the wrong things – I don’t Zwift, I don’t run on the treadmill. But, I’m still strong, it is rounds based, you still have to be clean in your execution. I wouldn’t say today was my cleanest, and my transitions still need some work, but also there are still things that play to my strengths.

Katie Zaferes supertri E World Championship London 2024
[Photo Credit – supertri]

“So once I turned my brain to that side of things and stopped focussing on what was going to hold me back, it gave me the freedom. My mantra going into this finals was ‘let’s see what I can do’, and I think I did my best with that.”

Paris hopes

In a similar vein the the British women, the battle for qualification of the Team USA Olympic team – alongside Taylor Knibb – is an exceptionally tough one. Second recently at the World Triathlon Cup in Hong Kong, and third here (with World Cup level World Triathlon Ranking points), must surely have added to the decision to race.

“For sure. It’s a really stressful position to be in, because I know what every race means for my endeavour to get to Paris. That can be really hard, so every race means a lot and I think more than anything, just having these results and executing the race the way I did, no matter what happens, I’m proud of it.

“I can see where I’m getting to and I hope it’s in time for Paris, but if not, excited for whatever I have in the future I guess.”

Katie Zaferes supertri E World Championship London 2024
[Photo Credit – supertri]
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
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Hayden Wilde bike supertri Boston 2024 photo credit supertri
Premium10 ways to make your road bike faster and more aero for triathlons
Kristian Blummenfelt photo credit: PTO Canadian Open
PremiumIs your gut health impacting your performance? The untapped potential of good gut health for triathletes
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
PremiumHas triathlon reached peak performance? Tri experts and legends on how much faster triathletes could get
latest News
Triathlon superstar Hayden Wilde to make shock comeback at London T100
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘Intimidating’ to go into Worlds after four months off – but Lionel Sanders up for the challenge
Georgia Taylor-Brown Alex Yee Super League Triathlon Malibu 2021
Triathlon’s most decorated Olympic duo now honoured by their former University
Olav Aleksander Bu Photo credit: Roj Ferman | Surpas
Top triathlon coach Olav Aleksander Bu says it’s all about the team after Uno-X bag first Tour de France win
Danielle Lewis (USA) takes the win in Lake Placid.
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025: Date, start time, how to watch and who’s racing
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...