The first World Triathlon Women’s Cup Dubai delivered a landmark moment for women’s sport today, bringing together Elite athletes and a vibrant Age-Group community for an all women triathlon on the iconic Dubai Islands. The event marked a major step forward in the global progression of women’s triathlon.
Elite race recap
In a hotly contested sprint-distance showdown (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run), Valentina Riasova (AIN) powered to victory, stopping the clock in 58:30 to secure the inaugural title. Fellow AIN athlete Hanna Maksimava claimed silver in 58:43, while Hungary’s Dominika Peszleg completed the podium with a strong run to finish in 59:04.
Rounding out the top five were Borbála Sarcia (HUN) and Margot Garabedian (CAM), showcasing the increasing depth and international spread of talent in women’s triathlon. USA Olympic champion Gwen Jorgensen crossed the line in sixth place, marking her return to racing following recent surgery and a week of illness leading into the event.
A milestone for women’s sport: international Age-Group fields deliver standout performances in Sprint and Super Sprint action
The Women’s Cup event represents more than a race, it reflects a strategic commitment to elevating opportunities for women in sport and triathlon across the region and globally.
More than 160 Age-Group women from over 30 nations lined up alongside the elite athletes, creating a festival atmosphere that united emerging competitors, recreational triathletes and developing nations within the sport.
The Age-group Sprint races delivered impressive international depth, with Canada’s Kara Moddemann claiming the overall victory in 1:13:29. Lebanon’s Tonia Makary followed in 1:14:39 and Great Britain’s Tia Watson rounded out the podium in 1:16:53. Age-group titles were awarded across all categories, while the RTA Team secured the Sprint team competition in 1:12:03, finishing ahead of Claire’s Team and Dubai Police.
Super Sprint racing brought added energy to the programme, highlighted by a commanding win from UAE athlete Caterina Mariana Bernal, who topped the overall standings in 40:28. Podiums were awarded across multiple age groups and in the Super Sprint team event it was Toprun who took the title in 35:52, edging out RTA Team 2 and Dubai Ambulance 2.
The Dubai Islands course provided a spectacular backdrop for athletes of all levels, while the partnership between World Triathlon and the Dubai Sports Council underscored the UAE’s growing leadership in hosting events that champion women’s athletic participation and visibility.
Today’s historic debut sets the foundation for Dubai to become a recurring host for major international women’s sporting events. The World Triathlon Women’s Cup Dubai highlights the drive behind women’s triathlon and signals a global shift toward increased investment, representation and professional racing opportunities for female athletes.
Following the race, World Triathlon Vice President Debbie Alexander described the Dubai event as a defining milestone for women’s triathlon, commending both the world-class delivery and the welcoming, athlete centred atmosphere created for competitors worldwide.
World Triathlon continues to strengthen pathways for women in the sport, from participation to performance, aligning with its long-term strategic goals of equity, access and global growth.
