Beth Potter became joint leader in the 2025 Championship Series after an imperious run in the Weihai sun to take the tape by more than 40 seconds from Germany's Lisa Tertsch, bronze for compatriot Tanja Neubert her first Series podium. 

Potter had been on or near the front for much of the 40km bike, Neubert testing and stretching the field on every technical passing through the venue, but no break emerged. Once Potter found her groove on the first lap of the 10km run, there would be no holding her back. Looking back in disbelief at the gap that had been carved so quickly, she produced the perfect run less than a month from a huge Championship Finals Wollongong. 

Gold moved the British 2023 World Champion to level points with defending champion Beaugrand, the battle for silver behind raging behind across four draining laps before Tertsch found the final push to pull clear of Neubert. 

'I'm just thinking about myself, about my race processes and im really happy with that,' said Potter. 'I don't take winning for granted so it's great to back up my win in Karlovy just 12 days later. I don't think I was lower than 3rd wheel most of the bike and spent a lot of time on the front so I am happy to be able to run well of that. I'm feeling quietly confident and good in myself, trusting the training and it's coming good.'

As Seregni carves, the field follows

The high elbows of Bianca Seregni (ITA) were once again helping her slice through clear water in the 1.5km ocean swim, Marta Kropko (HUN) staying on the the feet along with Tertsch and Kanae Takenaka (JPN), Desirae Ridenour (CAN) and Sophie Alden (GBR) well set. 

Up the steep ramp for the second time and onto the long run into transition, Lisa Tertsch was typically calculated and out fastest onto the 40km bike, Rosa Maria Tapia (MEX) and Kropko the closest giving chase, Beth Potter just ahead of Taylor Spivey.

A big group of 18 came together on lap one, then it was 35 seconds to the chasers including Neubert, Alissa Konig and Danielle Orie, but the American would drop off as those two upped the pace and began to haul in the leaders.

Neubert hauls up the chasers

After a huge lap three from Neubert, by the halfway point the packs had merged and there was little appetite to break away as thoughts began to shift to the 10km run ahead. 

Off the bikes and out of T2, Ridenour was away quickest, a sharp break from Tapia putting her up front too, Tertsch in chase with Alden looking strong on debut.

Potter detonates decisive move

Potter was more methodic in transition, clearly confident in what was to come and after picking her way forwards, she burst past Ridenour to the front and produced what came to be the decisive move, looking over her shoulder in amazement at how quickly the gap had gone out. 

Suddenly it was 12 seconds back to Gina Sereno (USA), Tertsch, Ridenour, Neubert and Alden together, spivey 20s off the lead at this stage.

Potter stretched her lead out on lap two, Neubert and Tertsch then dropped their rivals and dug in as Spivey found her way into contention.

The American spent her matches getting close by the bell though, and that signalled a titanic battle between the two Germans and, as Potter took her victory lap and the tape with a huge smile, it was Tertsch who was able to find one last move on her compatriot and ensure silver, Neubert's first Series podium in third. 

Behind them, Diana Isakova (AIN) had run her way into fifth, Alden a brilliant sixth on Series debut, Sereno, Ridenour, Seregni and Maria Tomé (POR) rounding out the top 10.

TERTSCH:
'It was a fun battle once we had second and third secured and it wasn't about getting a medal but what colour. I was okay after Karlovy Vary, I guess i'm used to tougher courses now. I've worked really hard on my swim and been getting my run legs back over time. Now i'll just go home and prepare for the Finals.'

NEUBERT:
'I tried several times (to gap Lisa) and knew I had to try before the last 100m but it obviously didn't work, but i'm still happy. I had a pretty bad swim and tried to chase the front, nobody wanted to take a turn when the groups came together... so i hoped for good running legs. I just tried to stay with Lisa and felt good, tried to keep cool and take it step by step.'

Full results here.