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After hosting ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Series Events the last four years, Weihai, China will for the first time welcome the discipline at the World Championship level this weekend. The men’s and women’s start lists each feature a fresh mix of short course and long course talent lining up with names like Craig Alexander (AUS), Bertrand Billard (FRA), Greg Bennett (USA), Laura Bennett (USA), Melissa Hauschildt (AUS) and Andrea Hewitt (NZL) on the start lists.
The race will be held over two-lap 4km swim in the ocean, followed by a grueling three-lap hilly and technical 120km bike and will be finished off with a four-lap 20km seaside run. In addition to the elite titles, the event will see age group and paratriathlon races contested.
About the race:
There have been 20 ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships, and Denmark and Great Britain leading the overall medal tally with six titles each. Denmark have five men’s and one women’s, while Great Britain have five women’s and one men’s. Although this year marks the first time China has hosted the World Championship event, Weihai has hosted four ITU Long Distance World Triathlon Series Events beginning in 2010.
SCHEDULE:
START LISTS:
Click here for women’s start list
Click here for men’s start list
LIVE COVERAGE:
TOTAL PRIZE MONEY:
COURSE PROFILE: Long Distance
Swim (4km) – Possibly requiring wetsuits, the swim will take place in the ocean over two laps.
Bike (120 km) – A technical and hilly course, athletes will bike three laps of 40km each.
Run (20km) – Set alongside the sea, athletes will run four technically challenging laps.
STORIES TO WATCH FOR: Elite Women’s RaceIn her first and only ITU result, Hauschildt returns as the reigning queen of long distance triathlon. Despite her lack of ITU starts, Hauschildt is no stranger to triathlon – especially at longer distances as she is a two-time 70.3 Ironman World Champion. The Australian will have successful short course competitors Bennett and Hewitt, who have each competed at two Olympic Games, to contend with. Camilla Pederson (DEN), who has finished second the last two years, will hunger for the allusive gold, making her stiff competition in the women’s race.
Elite Men’s Race
Despite an absence from ITU racing since 2006, Craig Alexander is certainly one of the most notable names on the men’s start list. With three Ironman World Championship titles and another two 70.3 crowns on his CV, the only gold medal missing from his hardware collection is an ITU long distance one. While less experienced at this length of triathlon, six-time World Cup winner Greg Bennett stands to serve as Alexander’s top competition, as does defending champion Bertrand Billard. Jens Toft (DEN), who finished with the fourth-fastest time in 2013, has the added advantage of having competed in Weihai in 2012 where he took silver. Former ITU long distance triathlon champ Sylvain Sudrie (FRA) returns as one of the most successful ITU long distance triathletes on the line.
PAST ITU LONG DISTANCE TRIATHLON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS
Men
2013 Belfort ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships-
Bertrand Billard (FRA) Melissa Hauschildt (AUS)
2012 Vitoria-Gasteiz ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships
Chris McCormack (AUS) Caroline Steffen (SUI)
2011 Henderson ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships
Jordan Rapp (USA)
2010 Immenstadt ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships
Sylvain Sudrie (FRA)
2009 Perth ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships
Timothy O’Donnell (USA) Jodie Swallow (GBR)
2008 Almere ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships
Julian Loy (FRA)
2007 Lorient ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships
Julian Loy (FRA)
2006 Canberra ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships
Torbjorn Sindballe (DEN) Bella Comerford (GBR)
2005 Fredericia ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships
Viktor Zyemstev (UKR)
2004 Sater ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships
Torbjorn Sindballe (DEN) Tamara Kozulina (UKR)
2003 Ibiza ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships
Eneko Llanos (ESP)
2001 Fredericia ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships
Peter Sandvang (DEN)
2000 Nizza ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships
Peter Sandvang (DEN)
1999 Sater ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships
Peter Sandvang (DEN)
1998 Sado Island ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships
Luc Van Lierde (BEL)
1997 Nizza ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships
Luc Van Lierde (BEL)
1996 Muncie ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships
Greg Welch (AUS)
1995 Nice ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships
Simon Lessing (GBR)
1994 Nice ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships
Rob Barel (NED) Isabelle Mouthon-Michellys (FRA)
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