#Triathlon Nine of the world’s top female triathletes to start the season in #WTSAbuDhabi

For the fourth consecutive year, Abu Dhabi will find itself the focus of world triathlon attentions as it kicks off the ITU World Triathlon Series season on March 2. To the delight of triathlon fans around the globe, nine of the top ten women in triathlon will line-up in the amazing Yas Marina circuit in one of the most competitive races in ITU history. The world-class field is set to tackle a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run on Friday, March 2, to kick off the 2018 season. A season that will feature stops in Bermuda, Yokohama, Leeds, Hamburg, Edmonton and Montreal before wrapping up in September with the Grand Final in the Gold Coast. Not to mention a season that will mark the start of the road to Tokyo 2020 Olympics, with the qualifying period starting in May 2018. Wearing the golden number one in WTS Abu Dhabi will be double World Champion Flora Duffy (BER). After a stunning 2017 season that saw her on top of the WTS podium in six out of nine races, the Bermudian superstar is looking forward to making her debut on the iconic Yas Island course.   “I was disappointed to miss the Abu Dhabi race last year due to an injury,” said Duffy. “I’ve heard a ton of great things about Yas Island course so I can’t wait to tackle it – especially the bike course which looks like it’s really suited to my aggressive style of racing,” said Duffy, who has made a name for herself as one of the strongest cyclists in the field. She will be among some very strong contenders in Abu Dhabi, though, starting with the winner at this same circuit in 2017, Kiwi Andrea Hewitt, whose furious and emotional sprint at the finish line was one of the most memorable moments of last season, followed by another win for the Kiwi in WTS Gold Coast. “I’m delighted to be returning to Abu Dhabi this year, a place that holds some amazing memories for me following my first-place finish last year. The 2017 race was a turning point for me both personally and professionally. To pick up the gold medal, the way I did, it was an overwhelming sense of emotion. That victory would not have been possible, had it not been for the fantastic support I received from family, friends and the triathlon community. I’m looking forward to seeing what this year’s race holds and with a bit of luck, I’ll be on the podium again!”, said the kiwi. Last year’s World Championship runner-up, Aussie Ashleigh Gentle, will also start 2018 in Abu Dhabi, the perfect scenario for her to get ready not only for... Triathlon.org News Feed http://ift.tt/2GIhc6M