Edmonton makes its return to top level triathlon this weekend with the venue welcoming the latest World Cup of the season. Based on the array of talent set to start in the women’s race, it seems set to come back with a bang. Across a rising home star, recent medallists from the Tiszaujvaros World Cup, a WTCS medallist and World Cup winner, plus multiple World Cup medallists, the gold could go anywhere.

All will be decided over a one-lap 750m swim, three-lap 20km bike and three-lap 5km run, with the women’s race live on TriathlonLive on Saturday 18^th July from 16:00 (local time), and you can find the key names to watch below.

Home star

Desirae Ridenour (CAN) will be at the forefront of the home team’s aspirations for a win. A World Cup winner last year, Ridenour narrowly missed out on a medal at the Haikou World Cup earlier this season, placing 4^th. A strong runner capable of marshalling breakaways and a swift runner to boot, Ridenour has thrived over the sprint distance on the World Cup circuit and could dictate this weekend’s race from the off.

Joining her on the Canadian team will be newly crowned Americas Junior champion Brooke Rousselle (CAN). This will be Rousselle’s World Cup debut and as such there are no expectations of a podium at this stage. Nevertheless, she has looked assured at the Americas Cup level, medalling recently in Montreal, and could find herself in contention on the run.

Tiszy trouble

Two-thirds of the podium from the recent Tiszaujvaros World Cup are back for more. Tara Sosinksi (AUS) and Taylor Knibb (USA) blew the field away alongside the race winner Fanni Szalai (HUN), who is not entered in the individual race, in Hungary. Like Ridenour, they are capable of leaning on the swim to break the race up early on, and if they get away they will likely stay away.

Knibb also has some propitious history with Edmonton. At the WTCS Final in 2021, the last time Edmonton appeared on the World Triathlon stage, Knibb rode away from a world-class field to earn a jaw-dropping gold medal. A repeat could be on the cards this weekend.

Young talent

World U23 Championships medallist Márta Kropkó (HUN) wears number 1 and heads up a group of young talents set to start. Kropkó will have taken plenty of confidence from serving as the opening leg in the Hungarian quartet that won the silver medal at last weekend’s World Mixed Team Relay Championships. Moreover, she placed 6^th at the European Championships and 10^th at WTCS Alghero and so is in fine individual form too.

Also starting will be Manami Hayashi (JPN), the second-highest ranked woman in the field, and Naomi Ruff (USA), who recently became the Americas U23 champion. While Kropkó will be another keen to break the race up in the water, Hayashi and Ruff could pounce if the medals are decided on the run. 

Established contenders

Among the most decorated athletes in the field is Rosa Maria Tapia Vidal (MEX), a WTCS medallist and World Cup winner. Although she has not been at her best lately, a turn in her fortunes could see her back atop the podium.

Italian veteran and multiple World Cup medal winner Ilaria Zane will be another to keep an eye on while Noelia Juan (ESP) will target adding to the World Cup bronze she claimed last month in Huatulco. The race could therefore go in any number of directions and should make for a breathless hour of action.