Weekly Wrap: Five Things We Learned

It’s a busy time of the year for the world’s top triathletes with races around the globe.

With Super League’s 2019 series on the horizon there are also plenty of helpful form pointers taking shape.

So, who’s had a good week, and who has struggled?

1.  SLT athletes love Leeds
   Super League athletes Georgia Taylor-Brown and Jake Birtwhistle both secured their first WTS wins with breakthrough victories in Leeds. Taylor-Brown finished fourth in Super League Jersey 2018 and is clearly showing her progress as an athlete as she dominated the women’s race, beating Katie Zaferes into second. Birtwhistle has threatened to deliver a win in the past but made the leap to the top step of the podium with a strong run.
2. Brownlee brothers struggle
   It was not a happy homecoming for Jonny and Alistair Brownlee as they raced in their own back yard. Jonny ended up crossing the line in 35th while Alistair, still mulling over whether to stick with short course racing or go long, trailed home in 44th. Jonny will no doubt be hoping for a quick return to form as he tries to better his third place series finish from Super League 2018 when racing returns in Jersey on September 28-29.
3. Mexico is a happy hunting ground
   Super League duo Summer Rappaport and Tyler Mislawchuk took out the Huatulco World Cup race in Mexico. The pair have proven themselves over a sprint distance format in Super League with American star Rappaport finishing sixth in the 2018 female series and Canadian Mislawchuk fourth in the men’s. Those results secured them qualification for the 2019 series and it looks like they will be heading in hot.
4. Kirsten Kasper is back
   It’s been a tough time out with injury for America’s Kirsten Kasper who finished third in Super League Jersey, Malta and Mallorca in 2018 but was forced to miss the final in Singapore. Kasper returned for her first race of 2019 in the heat of Mexico and came in seventh. Having secured a slot for Super League 2019 the build is now on.
5. Escape to victory
   It was a Super League double in the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon as Ben Kanute and Ashleigh Gentle took out the victories. Kanute, who raced the entire Super League 2019 series, finishing in seventh overall, secured the win at the iconic race in San Francisco despite some challenging water conditions. There was also a top step of the podium for Ashleigh Gentle. The Australian, who also came in seventh in Super League 2018, won by a minute.