Search
shop

Katie Zaferes reflects on a “pretty good worst day” after World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mar DSQ

Katie Zaferes reacts to her disqualification at the WC in Vina del Mar.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Having crossed the line first at the World Triathlon Cup in Vina del Mar yesterday, American Katie Zaferes thought she’d finished the season on a high note, with a second consecutive World Cup podium.

However, after protests from coaches and athletes, it was decided that Zaferes, along with three other athletes, was to be disqualified after accidentally going the wrong way on the run.

In her place, 2016 Olympic champion Gwen Jorgensen was upgraded from third to the win, with teammate Gina Sereno and Britain’s Vicky Holland also promoted to the podium. Reflecting on the end result, Zaferes said whilst the day was a rollercoaster of emotions, not all was lost.

Advertisement

“From pride and happiness to sadness and frustration”

Having broken clear of Tereza Zimovjanova, Anna Godoy and Mathilde Gautier, who were all also disqualified, Zaferes and Zimovjanova had seemingly held off a fast finishing Jorgensen to take the two top steps on the podium.

Katie Zaferes World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mar press 2023 Photo credit: World Triathlon / Wagner Araujo
[Photo credit: World Triathlon / Wagner Araujo]

However, having initially thought her worst mistake of the day was fumbling with her running shoes in T2, Zaferes found out she had been disqualified after going straight on to the blue carpet and the finish line rather than following the lead motorbike and jinking left to the road that ran parallel to it on the first lap of the run.

Taking to her Instagram page after the race, Zaferes shared an excerpt from her journal, after listing everything she was grateful for on race day. Despite the disappointment of disqualification, the Olympic medallist revealed that she had found some silver linings.

“Yesterday I thought my biggest mistake was in T2, only to find out after the finish I had made a much bigger mistake and went the wrong way on the course to get disqualified. Going from pride and happiness to sadness and frustration happened so quickly.

“It took a bit of time and a whole lot of support and love to realise not all was lost yesterday. Yesterday was the worst day I’ve had in a while and then I wrote out my gratitude list and realised that’s a pretty good worst day.”

As a result of the final standings in Chile, Jorgensen overtook Zaferes in the Individual Olympic Rankings to move into #40, with Zaferes dropping to #44.

In the separate World Rankings, both Jorgensen and second-placed Sereno leapfrogged Zaferes, as the trio finish the year in #30, #33 and #34 respectively.

Heading into the final qualification period for the Paris Olympic Games next year, could this result be crucial in determining the USA women’s team?

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.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
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
latest News
Gwen Jorgensen reflective World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mer 2023
‘Unbreakable’ Gwen Jorgensen ‘bruised’ after bike crash but vows to bounce back
IRONMAN CEO Scott DeRue Women For Tri 2024
IRONMAN announce new age-group qualification system for Kona and 70.3 Worlds
IRONMAN World Championship 2019 / Kona 2019
IRONMAN’s new age-group system for Kona – all the big questions answered
Frederic Funk finish line Challenge Samarkand 2023 photo credit Challenge Family
Challenge Roth 2025: German star goes into the unknown in iconic triathlon showdown
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
‘It’s going to be an absolute firecracker’ says Cam Wurf after booking IRONMAN World Champs spot
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...