Search
shop

WTCS Yokohama: Start lists announced for CRUCIAL Olympic Games triathlon qualifying race

The biggest stars in short course will race the first WTCS event of the year in Yokohama next month, after the first scheduled race of the year at WTCS Abu Dhabi was cancelled due to extreme weather.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

After the first scheduled race of the year at WTCS Abu Dhabi back in March was cancelled, it has been a long wait for top tier short course action in 2024.

However, with race day in Japan drawing closer, the start lists for both the elite men and women’s races have finally been released for WTCS Yokohama.

Featuring WTCS winners, Olympic gold medalists and IRONMAN World Champions, the racing as it stands looks set to be spectacular on May 11.

Advertisement

All eyes on the USA in women’s field

In the women’s race, the focus will firmly be on the American women, as Kirsten Kasper, Taylor Spivey, Gwen Jorgensen and Summer Rappaport seek to secure a podium finish and join Taylor Knibb on the plane to Paris.

World Triathlon Cup Miyazaki 2023 Gwen Jorgensen
Photo Credit: World Triathlon

Looking to spoil the party will be the likes of Olympic champion Flora Duffy, who is set to make her return to racing after a long injury layoff, and Vicky Holland, who races her first WTCS event since becoming a mother.

Other podium contenders include French superstar Emma Lombardi, plus any of a five-strong German team that includes Test Event third place finisher Laura Lindemann and recent European Cup winner Lisa Tertsch.

The big names missing on the women’s side are arguably the two favourites for gold this summer, Cassandre Beaugrand and reigning WTCS Champion Beth Potter, with Olympic silver medalist Georgia Taylor-Brown also opting to skip this race.

Katie Zaferes, the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist, is another athlete absent. Due to her ranking in relation to her American teammates, Zaferes did not have a high enough world ranking to secure a slot in Yokohama.

Blummenfelt starts Olympic defence buildup

Having won WTCS Yokohama back in 2021, prior to taking the Olympic title, Kristian Blummenfelt will hope to replicate the feat from three years ago when he lines up for his first race of the season in Japan.

WTCS Yokohama 2021 / Kristian Blummenfelt

The Norwegian, who across the board is one of triathlon’s most decorated athletes, will get the chance to test his fitness against some of his main rivals in Yokohama ahead of judgment day in Paris this summer.

Whilst fellow Olympic medalists Alex Yee and Hayden Wilde are both missing, French quartet Leo Bergere, Dorian Coninx, Tom Richard and Vincent Luis will pose a real challenge, with four world titles between them.

American Morgan Pearson, who finished on the podium in Paris and secured his spot for the Olympics this summer, is another top tier competitor, as are the Belgian duo of Marten van Riel and Jelle Geens.

Matt Hauser is often talked about as a medal contender in Paris, and he will be racing alongside a strong Australian squad that includes Jacob Birtwhistle, Brandon Copeland, Luke Willian and Callum McClusky in Yokohama.

Finally, as the sole male representative of Team GB, triathlon’s most decorated Olympian Jonathan Brownlee will have his first shot of the season to prove to selectors why he should be given a slot to his fourth Olympic Games.

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
Georgia Taylor Brown wins supertri Toulouse 2024
British Olympic legend Georgia Taylor-Brown to make triathlon return
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
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...