The 2023 Para Triathlon Series moves on to the second stop of the year this weekend, when another eagerly anticipated edition of the established WTPS Yokohama takes place on Saturday morning.
After the exertions of WTPS Devonport back in March, attentions shift to Japan and this famous course that begins with a 750m harbour swim, transitions into a 20km bike through the city streets, with its tight turns around the Kanagawa government building and iconic ferris wheel before three 1.6km run laps for all but the PTWC athletes, who will tackle a single 5km lap to the finish.
You can watch the action live and on-demand over on TriathlonLive.tv.
—
The men’s PTWC will be a straight shootout for the medals between USA’s Howie Sanborn H1, Australia’s Nic Beveridge H1 and local favourite Jumpei Kimura H1. Beveridge’s win last year was by the narrowest of margins and thanks to a rapid final segment, and Kimura will be seeking revenge this time around as he chases a first home Series gold.
The women’s wheelchair category is stacked with gold medal contenders, Lauren Parker H1 arriving off the back of her successful Para Cycling debut in Europe and up against USA’s Kendall Gretsch H1, the woman she beat to win the world title in Abu Dhabi last November. Last year’s winner here Margret Ijdema H1 (NED) defends her title, Brazil’s continental champion Jessica Ferreira H1 will be a major podium threat.
The women’s PTS2 race looks set to be dominated by the US trio of Hailey Danz, Melissa Stockwell and Allysa Seely. Current World Champion Danz is also the only one of the three not to have taken a gold here; Stockwell goes for a third straight Yokohama win, Seely having won four in a row on the course between 2016-2019.
USA’s Mohamed Lahna continued his rise with gold in Devonport and took the silver here last year, with Lionel Morales not racing, he will fancy his chances of gold even against the tough Frenchman Geoffrey Wersy.
Alexis Hanquinquant destroyed the men’s PTS4 field 12 months ago, only Hideki Uda able to hold a candle to him over the bike and the Japanese star will want to stick as close as possible through the swim to stand a chance against the great Frenchman this time around. USA’s Kelly Worrell will go head-to-head with Spain’s Carmen Gonzalez Sanchez for the women’s title.
The women’s PTVI gold sees Spain’s dependably brilliant Susana Rodriguez B1 up against familiar rival Jessica Tuomela B1 of Canada, Australian newcomer Maggie Sandles B3 eager to follow up on her gold in Devonport. The men’s visually impaired race will pit Kyle Coon B1 against Owen Cravens B3 and last year’s WTPS Montreal runner-up, GB’s Oscar Kelly B3 in a wide-open race.
Martin Schulz will look to continue his dominance of the men’s PTS5 category in the absence of Stefan Daniel, last year’s champion here David Bryant (AUS) defending his title with Frenchman Antoine Besse ready to push him all the way. In the women’s race, Gwladys Lemoussu heads off against Cristina Miranda Zambrano (ESP).
Kini Carrasco (ESP) and Justin Godfrey bring their huge experience to the PTS3 race, German national champion and World Championship bronze medallist Max Gelhaar also gunning for the podium. The women’s PTS4 race will be a thrilling duel between Kelly Elmlinger, Carmen Gonzalez Sanchez and Sally Pilbeam, USA’s exciting newcomer Emma Meyers makes her first Yokohama start.
Full start lists available here.
WTPS Yokohama
13 May, 06.50am Local time
TriathlonLive.tv
