Everything You Need To Know About Arena Games Triathlon powered By Zwift London 2023

It’s been a pulsating, surprising and faster than ever Arena Games Triathlon powered by Zwift World Championship Series in 2023 and the titles are still wide open heading to the final in London (April 8, 17:30 local time).

The race winners of the first two events, Gina Sereno, Zsanett Bragmayer, Henri Schoeman and Chase McQueen are understandably the favourites, but that really doesn’t tell the whole story.

With extra points on offer in the final, bigger line-ups and trickier routes to the final to be negotiated, as well as some huge names coming in to disrupt the established order, it is hard to call.

Add to that what is set to be an electric atmosphere in front of a huge crowd at the iconic London Aquatics Centre at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and there is much to be excited about.

Here we take you through everything you need to know about Arena Games Triathlon powered by Zwift London.

Henri v Chase v the field

Henri Schoeman’s remarkable comeback story would truly be complete if he were to lift a World Championship trophy in London.

After almost three years of illness and injury, the South African looks like he is getting back to his best.

But, and it’s a big but, to complete his fairytale he needs to overcome Chase McQueen – as well as the rest of the field. While Schoeman won in Switzerland, let’s not forget that McQueen beat him in Montreal in the Series opener and the American does not want to let an opportunity to be a World Champion pass him by.

Add to that that the next three athletes in the standings could all take the title with a win regardless of what anybody else does then it really starts to sound interesting.

Cass and Beth To shake things up

Two of triathlon’s biggest hitters, and Arena Games giants, enter the fray in London.

Cassandre Beaugrand was imperious in London in 2022, dominating the field to take the win with an incredible display which included some of the most impressive treadmill running the format has seen.

Beth Potter is a home favourite and sure to get huge backing from the crowd, and also is the current Arena Games Triathlon World Champion – as well as being on top form following a first ever WTCS win to kick-off her season.

They will be star attractions for the crowd, but having not raced in either of the regular Series events so far cannot compete for the World Championship title.

What they will do is pull the rest of the field with them as they set a huge pace out front, and also lay down a gauntlet to the others to beat them.

Gina v Zsanett – a race within a race?

Gina Sereno and Zsanett Bragmayer are the heavy favourites to take the World Championship title. With a dominating race win each, and both seemingly having a bit to spare, there can be no let up this time to secure victory.

The question for them both is whether they will be right up there competing for the win, or if Potter and Beaugrand put on a masterclass if it becomes a race within a race between the two of them for the title.

It is so hard to know how that goes. Bragmayer beat Potter at Arena Games Triathlon Singapore in 2022, but that of course was an outdoor event. Bragmayer has undoubtedly got better at this format since then as well and her sharpness at racing Arena Games is on point after Switzerland.

Sereno is a bigger unknown. She has clearly made huge strides forward this year, and in this format where she is comfortable, polished and, vitally, extremely fast, maybe she will mix it with the very best.

It’s not one to miss.

Ironman World Champ incoming

Gustav Iden is one of the biggest stars in triathlon at the moment. A two-time Ironman 70.3 World Champion and the reigning Ironman World Champion after his victory in Kona.

Now he is on a quest to drop down in distance and refind the speed he once had for a crack at next year’s Paris Olympics.

He’s had a couple of run outs so far which haven’t yielded stunning results, and this is a tough workout for him.

However, there is a school of thought that suggests with the top end speed work that he and Kristin Blummenfelt have been doing that super short and sharp could suit him better right now than full sprint or Olympic distance races.

Heats of Death

With an expanded athlete line-up for the finals there are now three heats for men and women as well two repechages. The top two in each heat make the final and go to bed on Friday night knowing they have just that one race to compete in.

Those placed 3-7 in the heats and the five fastest losers overall head into the repechage and need to get out of bed and into action on Saturday morning to try and get through.

It makes the heats of vital importance. And as it has broken Heat 2 in both the men’s and women’s racing looks brutally tough.

The men’s is ludicrous with such strength in depth. The women’s may not be quite as strong but even so 15-year-old Fanni Szalai will need to beat out Cassandre Beaugrand and Gina Sereno to avoid the repechage.

What a way to finish

This will be the third time the London Aquatics Centre has hosted Arena Games Triathlon. From empty stands in COVID era 2021, through to a big crowd in 2022 and now more seating released and sold than ever before, a huge attendance is expected and the atmosphere will be intense.

Ticket holders also have access to watch the Para Triathlon racing earlier in the afternoon with doors opening at 14:15.

This is the sort of event that turns the triathletes into rock stars and elevates the sport, putting it in a unique and incredible setting. Bring it on.