The start lists are now available for WTCS Abu Dhabi (scheduled for 3rd March 2023). For a few countries, the start lists may be taken with a grain of salt as some athletes may be substituted out to let another, potentially lower ranked, athlete race. Moreover, athletes can also pull out between now and the race for injury or other reasons.
For the most part, though, we can expect to see the bulk of athletes on the start list to dive into the water when the horn goes off in Abu Dhabi.
Who’s there?
In the men’s field, there will be a full complement of overall Series contenders on the start line.
Defending world champion Leo Bergere is an obvious name that stands out. Having taken his first ever WTCS win too in Abu Dhabi, the question will be whether his return will be a happy one.
Two other athletes that lit up 2022, Alex Yee and Hayden Wilde, will also be starting. So, too, will the fourth contender, Kristian Blummenfelt. The 2021 Olympic and world champion is making good on his promise to prioritise the WTCS in the run up to the Paris Olympics.
Abu Dhabi, then, will be an early opportunity for the title contenders to show their hands. Look for a breakdown on the race for the WTCS crown in the coming weeks.
In addition, a number of 2022 WTCS medallists will be starting, including Vincent Luis, Jelle Geens, Antonio Serrat Seoane, Roberto Sanchez Mantecon, Manoel Messias and Matt Hauser.
On the women’s side, Georgia Taylor-Brown and Taylor Knibb stand out as two title contenders that will be racing in Abu Dhabi.
Both America and Britain are sending a full-strength women’s team, with athletes such as Sophie Coldwell, Beth Potter and Taylor Spivey starting. Similarly, France will be sending three WTCS medallists through Cassandre Beaugrand, Leonie Periault and Emma Lombardi.
Lena Meißner returns to Abu Dhabi having won her maiden WTCS medal there in November. Meißner is one of three young Germans born in 1998 that will start (the others being Nina Eim and Lisa Tertsch).
The youngest starter in the either field will be Barbara De Koning of the Netherlands who was born in 2002.
Who’s not there?
The biggest absence is four-time world champion Flora Duffy. Duffy is the only medallist from WTCS Abu Dhabi 2022 and the overall WTCS from last year in either field that will not be present.
Also notably absent is Laura Lindemann. While the Germans are sending five women to Abu Dhabi, their highest ranked athlete from 2022 is not among them.
Neither Katie Zaferes not Gwen Jorgensen are starting as they continue their return to the sport. Realistically, we can expect a more gradual return for both athletes rather than diving into the deep end of a WTCS race as their first appearance back.
For the men, serial WTCS medallist Jonathan Brownlee will not be racing. As it happens, Brownlee has only raced Abu Dhabi three times in his career and has a best finish there of 5th from 2015. His absence therefore conforms to a pattern and will be unlikely to affect his season prospects.
Another absent name is Pierre Le Corre. Although he did not finish the most recent WTCS Final in Abu Dhabi, he was instrumental in helping the Bergere breakaway stick. His absence may prove costly for Bergere.
Main talking points
Van Riel returns after injury
Marten Van Riel may be making his long-awaited return to the WTCS after injury problems. There is a chance he has signed up for the race and will withdraw depending on the status of his ankle. Likewise, he could be substituted out for another Belgian athlete.
Either way, his potential comeback will be a welcome boost to Belgium’s Olympic qualification prospects in both the relay and the individual race. As a multi-WTCS medallist, it would be great if he can recapture his best form and return to the front of the field this year.
Waugh back to the scene of the crime
Bergere is not the only athlete on the start list with recent memories of being crowned world champion in Abu Dhabi.
World U23 champion Kate Waugh will also be returning to the site of her triumph. She is the only medallist from the most recent World U23 Championships due to start.
Pearson a dark horse?
Not enough people seemed to talk about the fact that, to all intents and purposes, Morgan Pearson missed the entirety of last year only to rock up at the WTCS Final, win silver with the best run split of the day and then leave without offering any explanation.
He gave a hint of his form by logging a rapid run split at the Viña del Mar World Cup despite finishing way down the field. His return in Abu Dhabi, though, was on a wholly different level.
With another race in Abu Dhabi, he could be in the running for another medal.
Furthermore, Pearson was a double WTCS medallist in 2021. If he has managed to put a solid winter behind him and build on the 2022 Final, he could be a very dangerous proposition this year.
A busy year for Vogel
Johannes Vogel of Germany is currently ranked 31st in the individual Olympic qualification rankings. After German head coach Thomas Moeller stated that he wants three men and three women to qualify for the Paris Olympics, Vogel will be the most important German man for the foreseeable future. If he can boost his ranking one place to 30th, he will earn Germany that third spot.
Vogel will be starting in Abu Dhabi and he can be expected to have a busy year ahead as he chases points at every available opportunity.
Who is in shape?
The 2022 WTCS Final was only two months ago, yet the athletes are already returning to Abu Dhabi to commence a new season. Holding the Final so late in the year created an off-season challenge as athletes balanced recovering from 2022 with preparing for 2023.
As a result, we might see some athletes in great shape in four weeks while others may be a little undercooked.
View the men’s start list here.
View the women’s start list here.
