Weekend Race Recap: Huatulco, Malaysia, Mallorca & More

Recapping the weekend of elite triathlon action across ITU, XTERRA and 70.3 racing.

2016 Cagliari ITU Triathlon World Cup

Women
It was a day of firsts in the women’s Cagliari ITU Triathlon World Cup race as the top two ladies to cross the finish line stood on their first-ever World Cup podiums. India Lee joined Great Britain’s illustrious history of winning triathletes when she executed an expertly-timed break on the bike to spin her way to gold. Germany’s Lisa Sieburger secured second after fighting her way back into the race on a challenging bike course, while bronze went to Austria’s Lisa Perterer.
Read the race recap at Triathlon.org.

Men
At the first-ever Italian World Cup, set on the scenic coastline of Cagliari, Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) clocked his first World Cup win with a powerful effort on the bike and run. Behind him, France reigned supreme as Aurelien Raphael and Simon Viain secured the two final podium positions over a sprint-distance course.
Read the recap at Triathlon.org.

2016 Huatulco ITU Triathlon World Cup

Women
Battling through the elements of the Mexican sun and the infamous hill climb, Jolanda Annen (SUI) captured her first-ever career World Cup victory on Saturday at the 2016 Huatulco ITU Triathlon World Cup.

After leading out of the swim and then working as one of the top contenders on the bike, Annen built up enough of a lead to carry her onto the run and charge through to the finish line to also secure her second consecutive Huatulco podium after earning the silver medal in 2015.
Read the recap at Triathlon.org.

Men
The 2016 Huatulco ITU Triathlon World Cup presented three new faces to its podium as Frenchman Etienne Diemunsch was able to finally grab his first gold medal on the course after four attempts. While Jelle Geens (BEL) and Drew Box (AUS) filled in the final two places both earning their first World Cup podium of their careers.
Read the race recap at Triathlon.org

XTERRA Greece

Roger Serrano upset three-time XTERRA World Champ Ruben Ruzafa, while Helena Erbenova ran past Brigitta Poor to take the women’s title at the XTERRA Greece Championship in Vouliagmeni on Saturday.
Read the recap at Xterraplanet.com.

XTERRA Malaysia

Ben Allen and Jacqui Slack captured the third annual XTERRA Malaysia on a day that lived up to the event’s pre-race billing as the hottest weekend on the XTERRA World Tour circuit.
Read the recap at Xterraplanet.com.

Ironman 70.3 Vietnam

Frenchman Cyril Viennot powered away on the bike to set up an outstanding victory over a bevy a talented Australians in the blazing heat at Ironman 70.3 Vietnam. The women’s race was more clear-cut with defending champion Caroline Steffen continuing her outstanding start to her 2016 season, proving very strong on the run for an impressive women’s field.
Read the recap at Ironman.com

Ironman 70.3 Mallorca

Andreas Dreitz took home a third Thomas Cook Ironman 70.3 Mallorca win, while German compatriot Laura Philipp took the victory for the women.

The pro field and more than 3,500 age-group athletes in Mallorca this weekend didn’t face the island’s typical style of racing this year. Although the Balearic Islands are famous for weather stability, sunshin, and hot temperatures, the sixth edition of the Thomas Cook Ironman 70.3 Mallorca quickly became a very rainy race.
Read the recap at Ironman.com

Ironman 70.3 North American Championships

Over the years, Ironman 70.3 St. George has earned the reputation for anything—and everything—happening on race day. From wicked winds to scorching heat to amazing come-from-behind victories, the 70.3 North American Championship venue often conjures up wild and thrilling conditions for athletes to battle. This year’s event was no exception, as cold rain added an extra challenge to an already difficult event.

Canadians Lionel Sanders and Heather Wurtele best managed the conditions—and the deep competitive field—to take their spots at the top of the podium. In addition to winning a share of the event’s $100,000 prize purse, Sanders and Wurtele secured a place on the starting line of the 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Queensland, Australia this fall. This was Sanders’ first time winning in St. George, and Wurtele’s fourth overall (twice when it was an Ironman and now twice as a 70.3).
Read our recap here and see a photo gallery here.