The World Triathlon Championships in Wollongong, Australia, are reaching a climactic weekend, marked by a fierce contest for the men’s elite world title and significant international performances across various age categories.
Australia’s Matthew Hauser, who has dominated the season with three wins in five stages, leads the elite men’s standings with 3,000 points heading into Sunday’s final. Brazil’s Miguel Hidalgo, with 2,780 points, and Portugal’s Vasco Vilaça, at 2,775 points, are close behind.
Vilaça, a former world runner-up, holds a strong position with three second-place finishes this year. However, he must win the final race and hope Hauser finishes off the podium to claim the overall title. Elite finals award double points, making them crucial for the season’s ranking.
In earlier competitions this week, France demonstrated strong performances in the junior categories. Léa Houart won the junior women’s race on Friday in 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 41 seconds, followed by Hungary’s Fanni Szalai and Slovakia’s Diana Dunajska.
Fellow Frenchman Tristan Douché secured the junior men’s title on Friday. Portugal’s Cassilda Carvalho finished 20th in the junior women’s event, while Tomás Figueiredo placed 22nd in the junior men’s race.
Thursday saw Britain’s Oliver Conway win the U23 men’s event. Portugal’s João Nuno Batista finished seventh, having previously been a junior world champion in 2023.
In the U23 women’s race on Thursday, Portugal’s Inês Rico withdrew during the final 10-kilometer run due to medical reasons, a spokesperson for the Portuguese Triathlon Federation confirmed.
The championships also feature paratriathlon events on Saturday, where Portugal’s Filipe Marques, who placed fourth at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, is expected to contend for a medal.
In the elite women’s event on Sunday, France’s Cassandre Beaugrand and Britain’s Beth Potter are tied at the top of the rankings with 2,925 points. Portugal’s Maria Tomé, 11th in Paris, sits 19th in the standings with 1,354 points.