The first race of the WTCS season saw a number of athletes record their best ever WTCS finishes. In addition, the race also saw three athletes make their first appearances at the WTCS level.
The Debutants
Jannick Schauffer had a good day at his first WTCS race. He spent much of the race alongside silver medallist Vasco Vilaca. Coming into T2, Schaufler was a part of the main pack and was well-positioned to record a strong finish. He was also quick through transition to get onto the run among the leaders.
The run proved a little too much on the day and he slipped from the front to 29th. By several accounts, the race had been intense from the start so it is no surprise Schaufler felt it on the run.
29th is still a very respectable first result in the WTCS. It should not be too great a surprise either. At the last World Cup of 2022, Schaufler finished 4th and gave a strong hint of his talent.
Meanwhile, Tomas Zikmund and Cecilia Sayuri Ramirez Alvarez had difficult days on their first starts. Zikmund slipped off the pace on the bike and was a part of a small group at the back.
Ramirez was a part of the third bike pack and rode well. However, her efforts told as she lost a few places on the run.
Both Ramirez (born in 2000) and Zikmund (born in 1999) are young athletes, though, and so will have learned a lot from their debuts.
The Women’s PBs
Beth Potter is the obvious place to start. After three WTCS medals last year, including a silver in Hamburg, she broke through in Abu Dhabi to take her first win. She produced a complete performance, recording the fastest bike and run splits of the day.
The silver medallist, Sophie Coldwell, also produced a personal best. Coldwell had previously won three bronze medals in the WTCS. Her showing in Abu Dhabi was therefore another step closer to that coveted first win.
Nina Eim nudged her PB from 9th to 7th in Abu Dhabi. That placing has a particular resonance given that she will be hunting top-8 finishes at the Paris Test Event or the WTCS Final in Pontevedra in order to secure qualification to the German team at the Paris Olympic Games.
A top-8 already in the season is thus a good marker to lay down.
Rosa Maria Tapia Vidal narrowly lost a sprint finish to Georgia Taylor-Brown for 15th place in Abu Dhabi. Her 16th place, though, was still a big improvement from her previous best of 31st. Tapia only made her WTCS debut last year in Montreal and so has done well to already break into the top-20. With the exception of WTCS Hamburg in 2022, she has also improved her personal best at every WTCS race.
If she can continue her current trajectory, it might not be long until Tapia breaks into the top-10.
Similarly, Marta Pintanel Raymundo broke into the top-30 at a WTCS race for the first time. After a very good performance at the World U23 Championships in Abu Dhabi in November, the venue was clearly one that suited her. She rode in the same pack as Tapia and was only 5 seconds away from breaking into the top-20 too.
One thing to note is that both Tapia and Pintanel out-ran Taylor Spivey, Summer Rappaport and Lena Meißner who each finished in the top-5. Moreover, Tapia was 1 second behind matching Coldwell’s run split. Both women could therefore one day look to reach the podium if they keep improving.
Finally, Gina Sereno finished her first WTCS after being lapped out of her first appearance. Sereno won a silver medal at the Viña del Mar World Cup in November and has been rapidly improving. It would not be a surprise to see her improve her best finish throughout 2023.
The Men’s PBs
There were fewer PBs in the men’s race although Max Studer of Switzerland is the name that really jumps out.
A few weeks ago, we suggested that Studer could be an athlete that could win their first WTCS medal this year. After improving his best finish by a place, he is getting closer. Notably, that came after missing large chunks of 2022. If Studer gets a consistent run of races this year, he could be one to watch.
Kyle Smith had undergone an even lengthier absence from the WTCS after moving up to long distance triathlon. Upon his return, he was denied a top-25 by a late flurry of sprints to the finish. Smith showed a lot of strength on the bike as he bridged to a breakaway led by world champion Leo Bergere. As he adapts to the rigours of short course racing once more, he will no doubt improve his best finish,
Two younger athletes, Aram Michell Peñaflor Moysen and Alessio Crociani, also had good races. Both men raced at the World U23 Championships in 2022. Crociani started off with a great swim and was with the leaders into T1. He rode well but ultimately lost his time on the run.
Peñaflor was a little slower in the water but recovered well on the bike. His run was also promising. With a little more experience under their belts, we can expect to see both Peñaflor and Crociani push for a top-20 WTCS race finish this year.
