Macca’s Predictions: Who Can Handle The Toughest SLT Swim?

A sea swim, an all new Eliminator format and a continuing tussle at the top of the Leaderboard – there’s a lot on the line as Super League returns to the USA.

The race dynamics of Super League Triathlon Malibu are unique, and certainly make for an unpredictable race, that few would want to call.

So we asked triathlon legend and SLT Co-Founder Chris McCormack for his predictions.

Women: Non Stanford can land a surprise podium

The Eliminator format with the pursuit start will make this very interesting, along with the surf swim and the long run up the beach. Malibu is hard to predict because it is very different, so I wouldn’t be surprised if I end up being corrected on this one.

I am still going to go with Georgia Taylor-Brown to win this, even with the open water swim not being to her advantage. Her form in Munich was impeccable and she will love the conventional format of swim-bike-run.

Taylor Spivey can push her all the way. She is racing at home and will love the surf having grown up on the beaches as a lifeguard.

I am going to go out on a limb here and say Non Stanford will come third. She is coming into form and loves the more conventional racing and this will suit her a lot.

I think Emma Jeffcoat will score big on the swim as well as the bike with the run points going to Georgia.

1. Georgia Taylor-Brown
2. Taylor Spivey
3. Non Stanford

Men: Hauser To Reign Supreme In The Surf?

It’s going to be very interesting, but I cannot go past Matt Hauser. He’s going to love this format and will love the open water swim. His swimming has been remarkable and he will dominate proceedings.

He will be strongly pushed by Vasco Vilaca and Hayden Wilde, and potentially Jonny Brownlee as well who is coming into some form.

Hauser will win this comfortably with Wilde in second. He can stay close on the bike course and execute on the run and a very tough shootout between Vasco and Jonny.

I expect big swims from Chase McQueen and Tayler Reid but Hauser will take the swim points. On the bike with Cameron Wurf is so interesting. I am not sure his professional bike riding skills will actually suit him on this course, and he’s training for Kona, so I expect him to find this racing very tough. That said, I would love him to score some bike points for us.

On the run I do believe Matt Hauser will be the athlete to beat.

1. Matt Hauser
2. Hayden Wilde
3. Vasco Vilaca