World Champions, Brave Displays And Record Breaking Crowds: 5 Things We Learned From Arena Games Triathlon London

It was a fast, frenetic and entirely unpredictable conclusion to the 2023 Arena Games Triathlon powered by Zwift World Championship Series.

From stellar performances to shocks and twists and turns, the race at the sold out London Aquatics Centre had it all.

Here we take a look at five things we learned from the final of Arena Games Triathlon.

Linn On Top Of The World

Sophie Linn sparkled in the opening event in Montreal but ultimately faded just a little to finish behind Gina Sereno. However, a fire had clearly been lit as she realised this format could be one to really suit her.

The Australian initially wasn’t going to come to London, such was her lack of confidence to secure a World Championship title, but after giving it some thought she committed – and then some.

Linn put in a significant training block to give herself the best chance of success, and really delivered on the day. She was not only to eventually take the world title, but made a race that could have been dominated by Beth Potter and Cassandre Beaugrand ultra competitive.

The women’s race was a topsy-turvy affair as the World Championship standings continually moved around, with Sereno also improving as it went on to finish a very worthy second.

Linn may not have started the Series as any kind of favourite, but is now an official World Champion.

Henri’s Comeback Complete

Arena Games Triathlon has really been Henri Schoeman’s redemption story.

Three years of injury and illness have dogged a man so used to success at the very highest level of the sport. His road to recovery has been bumpy, and hugely emotional. There was a time he thought he may never get the chance to race again.

But Schoeman stuck in there, even during the dark moments, and has got his reward.

He really went the hard years for it too, racing all three events even when mathematically he didn’t need to.

But this was always about more than racing, it was about proving to himself he can have a second coming in the sport. And how he did that.

Beth Is A Boss

Beth Potter may not have raced enough Arena Games events this year to be able to defend her title, but she showed her class in smashing the London event, and in front of a baying British crowd.

Potter has achieved so much in Arena Games racing, but she had never actually beaten Cassandre Beaugrand when the pair have raced together. She put that right in emphatic style with a convincing victory.

Potter is an athlete in form in what could be a remarkable two years for her.

Gustav’s Champion Mentality

They say a champion never quits. Gustav Iden proved why he already has some of the biggest titles in the sport in his collection by proving what it takes to be the best.

The weekend presented him with so many challenges, A delayed flight and a missed briefing saw him start his heat – the so-called ‘Heat of Death’ – with a five second penalty before he had even stepped on the race course.

He pushed hard but ultimately was in the repechage. He was – in Arena Games terms – a mile back coming out of the swim in Stage 2 and his exit before even making the finals looked all but assured.

However, he dug in, pushed himself to the absolute limit and was ready as soon as there was a sign of weakness to pounce.

After such efforts to get to the final there was a suspicion he could come last, but that was proved to be nonsense as she actually got himself to fifth by the end of the final. A remarkable performance, that displayed a quite remarkable mentality.

Electric Atmosphere

The London Aquatics Centre and the British crowd ensured an incredible day for triathlon. The venue was sold out, with a record 2,000 fans in attendance. The atmosphere was loud and happy, and the athlete thrived on it.

Fans turned up to support Para Triathlon as well and were treated to some stunning performances, including a virtuoso display from Grace Norman.

The venue is fast establishing itself as the pinnacle of Arena Games, but with more fans than ever packing in for the events across the Series, it is clear that triathlon is growing.