The first edition of Cape Town in 2014 was the last WTS event in which Gwen Jorgensen did not come out victorious. She has yet to lose since and we are starting to wonder what affect this is having on her opponents’ psyche. Victory in triathlon is always subject to circumstances. The cold Cape Town waters (below 12 degrees celsius) probably had a large part to play in Jorgensen’s inability to win the title last year.
Even with 9 straight WTS wins, we’re still wondering exactly how legitimate Jorgensen’s domination over the women’s field really is. Perhaps we’re being unfair, but the reality is that a large number of past champions are either no longer present on the circuit or have never found the form they once had – Stimpson, Haug, Findlay, Norden, Spirig, Stanford, Jenkins, Densham, Holland and Jackson highlight this long list of past champions.
The big question remains the same : Will 2015 be known as the Year of the Americans? Are their recent successes for real? At the very least, we’ll be able to get partial answers to these questions this weekend since many relevant athletes will be making a return in the South African stage.
Nicola Spirig (SUI) – Her long awaited WTS return following her Olympic Games title. It is important to note however that she’s not exactly been idling since the Games. Putting the emphasis of her training on the run, she has still racked up a World Cup win and the European Championship. Her coach Brett Sutton seems to be following a specific plan of attack. He’s aware that if she needs to improve on the run if she wants to defend her title in Rio. She’s put on heavy running volume in recent months and she’s entering Cape Town having raced a marathon last weekend in a time of 2:46.
Helen Jenkins (GBR) – A regular of the WTS circuit, she was seen as a favourite heading into the London Games, but injuries got in the way. She’s lined up several important events to try to regain her form, beginning in Cape Town, the site of her last victory.
Vicky Holland (GBR) – Recent medalist at the Commonwealth Games, she will be racing in spite of injuries to both her feet.
Erin Densham (AUS) – This Aussie has endured a rocky road since her bronze medal performance at the London Games. She’s recently finished in 18th place in Gold Coast despite being involved in an accident prior to the event.
This will be an open race and we expect Americans Sarah True and Katie Zafares to take advantage of Jorgensen’s absence. They could benefit from the help of Lindsey Jerdonek.
As usual, Flora Duffy (BER) should be able to break off the front with a small group on this somewhat technical bike course, and to ensure a high positionning at the end of the race.
How will the absences affect the race?
Lucy Hall (GBR) and Carolina Routier (ESP) are forces on the swim that usually have a say on who’s where coming out of T1. Expect Pamela Oliviera (BRA) or Margit Vanek (HUN) to take on that roll in their absence. With only 50 women taking the start, we could very well see a large group staying together until T2. This could be beneficial to Anne Haug (ALL) who will surely have a word to say on the run.
Audrey Merle was forced to drop out of the race because of an upper body injury. There are no French and Canadian athletes taking the start.
What’s become of Spirig?
In what type of form will we find Nicola Spirig? Can she realistically expect to be recovered from last weeks marathon? Her coach seems to think she’s a much improved swimmer, and if that’s the case, she could make her presence felt on the run.
Things to keep an eye on..
Claire Michel will make her WTS return. The longer the race leaders stay together in a big group, the better her chances of success. Sofie Hooge and Katrien Verstuyft are two other Belgians to participate in the race.
World Junior Champion Laura Lindemann (GER) will make her WTS olympic distance debut. Tamara Gomez Garrido of Spain will attempt to finish her first WTS event in three tries. She recently won on the World Cup.
The race is scheduled to take place at 8:55 (Canadian Eastern Time) and 14:55 (France).