Over 2,100 participant to contest the Worlds Pinnace Triathlon circuit in the UAE Capital

Strongest elite field vie for top honours at the IPIC World Triathlon Abu Dhabi tomorrow

Abu Dhabi, UAE. Thursday, 5 March 2015: Tomorrow (Saturday 7 March), 120 of the world’s fastest triathletes and over 2,100 age group participants will make the leap into the ITU World Triathlon Series season opener on Abu Dhabi’s spectacular Corniche. The IPIC World Triathlon Abu Dhabi marks the first time ever that the pinnacle triathlon circuit, the ITU World Triathlon Series, will be held in the Middle East.

Host partner Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) look ahead to an exhilarating weekend with triathlon’s superstars: “The hugely positive response we’ve had from elites and age group participants has been excellent. This is a great testament to how far the sport of triathlon has come in Abu Dhabi and the region and we are proud to be a part of yet another huge milestone,” said Talal Al Hashemi, ADSC’s Technical Affairs Director.

Reigning World Champions, USA’s Gwen Jorgensen and Spain’s Javier Gomez will be leading the charge for what is set to be one of the strongest line ups in the history of the World Triathlon Series. Nine of the top 10 ranked men and six of the top 10 ranked women in the world will take their marks tomorrow on Abu Dhabi’s beach by the Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club.

After many months of preparing for the region’s most prestigious triathlon ever staged in Abu Dhabi Local Organising Committee Director, Iain Banner, said: “The opportunity to race with the world’s best athletes in such a beautiful environment is what makes the IPIC World Triathlon Abu Dhabi so unique. We trust that all the hard work and efforts put into this event will come to fruition this weekend when over 2,000 participants will enjoy a world-class sporting experience.”

The 2015 IPIC World Triathlon Abu Dhabi is the first opening event on the World Triathlon Series calendar since the last Olympic year to feature full start lists for both men and women which includes Olympic medallists, both reigning World Champions and some of the of the most successful men and women in the history of the World Triathlon Series. Out to defend his title is Spaniard Javier Gomez, who is only the second athlete to be crowned World Champion four times. “This is the first race of the season and my first time in Abu Dhabi so not sure what to expect yet in terms of performance. I do know for sure that this will be one of the well-organised races so I am looking forward to take the plunge on Saturday.”

This Saturday is expected to be a close fought race with Gomez’s closest rival and Olympic Bronze medallist, Jonathan Brownlee, who is familiar with racing in Abu Dhabi’s sunny weather. “I’ve just come out from the cold weather and snow in Britain so this will definitely be the race to get me started this season. I raced here 12 months ago in the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon but this time it’s a very different race; very fast and furious.”

“I think that if the sport of triathlon wants to grow in the coming years it has to come to cities like Abu Dhabi where there is a new experience on offer for triathletes like us,” added Brownlee.

Six of the Series’ most successful women in history are set to impress with 2014 ITU World Triathlon Series champion eyeing a podium finish this weekend. “I was very excited when I found out that the World Triathlon Series opener was taking place in Abu Dhabi. I have wanted to come down and race here for a long time so glad I got this opportunity through the Series to experience this unique city,” said the 2014 ITU World Triathlon Series champion, Gwen Jorgensen.

I’ve been training for Australia so I am used to the warm weather but it will be interesting to see how others perform in these weather conditions. It’s a sprint race and the first race of the season so we are all not sure of what to expect but I have a feeling it will be great one,” added Gwen who is looking forward to kicking off the season opener with compatriot, Sarah Groff.

“I have heard about Abu Dhabi from many of my friends in triathlon who have come out here and raced so I am ecstatic about this weekend’s race. The first race of the season is the one where you want to see where you stack up against the competition. The rest of the season is pretty much predictable in terms of performance so this will be the scene setter for me,” said Groff.

Entries into the IPIC World Triathlon Abu Dhabi’s Sprint distance, 0.5km swim, 20km cycle, 5km run, has seen the highest number of registrations and accounts for 42 per cent of total participants. The Olympic distance, 1.5km swim, 40km cycle, 10km run, has also proven popular among age group participants and is 38 per cent of all entries. The newly designed Maxi distance, 2km swim, 80km cycle, 20km run, for serious amateurs and professionals accounts for the remaining 20 per cent.

Celebrations for the spectacular weekend begin today (Friday) with over 3,000 spectators expected to come down to support racers. The Aquathlon, which kicks off today, which will see close to 200 talented starlets take to the start line to participate in the swim-run event.

A strong advocate of taking sports into local schools across the Emirate is the Abu Dhabi Sports Council who is keen to ramp up youth participation and invest in the sport at a grassroots level. “The entries for both The Aquathlon and the IPIC World Triathlon Abu Dhabi are a strong reflection of the increasing popularity of triathlon in the UAE. I believe we will see increasing Emirati participation and youngsters taking up the sport in future editions of the Abu Dhabi race,” said Talal Al Hashemi.

The Fans’ Village, located next to the Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club, is scheduled to open on Friday and Saturday from 07:00 to 18:00 where a spectator-friendly environment including a 1,000-seater grandstand, a bike park, a ‘Friends and Family’ area, refreshment kiosks and a kids zone will be available. 

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