Published August 20, 2014 12:13PM
Stockholm Hosts World Triathlon Series This Weekend
Stockholm serves as the final opportunity to earn World Triathlon Series points ahead of the Edmonton Grand Final.
Sarah Groff will be looking for important points. Photo: Janos Schmidt/Triathlon.org
In a final hunt for World Triathlon Series points just a week ahead of the Edmonton Grand Final, the men’s and women’s races are set to see serious battles with all the heavyweights throwing their punch behind World Triathlon Stockholm. Jodie Stimpson (GBR) and Sarah Groff (USA) will headline the women’s race while Javier Gomez Noya (ESP), Alistair Brownlee (GBR), Jonathan Brownlee(GBR), Mario Mola (ESP) and Richard Murray (RSA) will all line up in the men’s event.
About The Race
The capital of Sweden is over 700 years old and the greater metropolitan area now has a population of over two million, making it one of the largest cities in Scandinavia. Built on 14 islands around one of Europe’s largest and best-preserved medieval city centers, it is located by the Baltic Sea. It’s also a vibrant, modern city, famous for producing sleek designs, edgy fashion and world-class nightclubs. Stockholm also has a strong sporting history, the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games set the benchmark for the Olympics of the modern era. It was the first time athletes from all five continents participated, and the first time live timing, photo finishes and a public address system were used.
The World Triathlon Series Rankings
In both the men’s and women’s races, as the penultimate event on the 2014 WTS calendar, Stockholm represents the last opportunity to put points on the chart. While Gwen Jorgensen will be tough to beat, the race for a top ranking remains competitive amongst the women. With No. 3 and 4 ranked athletes Helen Jenkins and Emma Jackson skipping Stockholm, it’s a prime opportunity for Stimpson to keep the distance at bay from her second-place ranking. Likewise, Groff and Sweetland will look to jump up. In the men’s race,
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Gomez has already collected four wins meaning his score can’t improve much, but a top three finish will see his points jump slightly. While Alistair Brownlee (GBR) is out of the chase for a high finish in the Series this year, he can certainly steal important points from other athletes, affecting their year-end ranking. Although younger brother Jonathan sits second in the rankings, Mario Mola (ESP) trails him by only 15 points meaning this race is crucial to both Jonathan and Mola in the final ranking.
New Champions
There will be a new champion named in Stockholm in the women’s race with 2013 winner Gwen Jorgensen and Sweden’s own Lisa Norden, who won in 2012, not toeing the line. With them off the start list, the race should be Jodie Stimpson’s for the taking. However, standing on the highest spot on the podium won’t be guaranteed with the likes of Kirsten Sweetland(CAN) and Sarah Groff (USA) on the start list. Maaike Caelers (NED) and Barbara Riveros (CHI) are no strangers to success in Stockholm, having earned silver and bronze there in 2012.