With world championship titles on the line and races open, the Arena Games triathlon powered by Zwift is ready for a spectacular finale in Singapore.
There are eight athletes who come into the weekend knowing victory would secure them an inaugural esports triathlon world championship crown.
But with open water swimming and hot, humid conditions, there are even more variables to consider when trying to pick a winner.
So who’s brave enough to stick their necks out and punt? Of course, it’s Chris McCormack, triathlon legend and co-founder of SLT. Here is his take on this weekend:
Men
The big difference between Singapore and other Arena Games events is open water swimming and it’s very different from pool swimming.
The position around the first buoy is essential because physics says that two masses cannot occupy the same space. This means there will be body lengths between athletes so those with a big swim can set it up.
This means that Aurelien Raphael, Max Stapley, Justus Nieschlag, Marten Van Riel and Chase McQueen have power over Alex Yee. Alex could be fifth or sixth after the swim, so with a long run before the transition it could be detrimental.
Hayden Wilde will fill the position of Alex Yee. He has incredible power on the bike but his incredible skills on the bike are of no use in this format.
Marten Van Riel had a terrible blow in Munich, but I think open water swimming will suit him.
Because of the deep end I have Aurélien as a favorite even if the statistics suggest that he is not. Justus and Marten will be in on it next to him.
Marten has a lot to prove now and Justus has a great running style and smooth transitions.
Alex fights for a place on the podium. I hope he comes up there, but Chase and Gordon Benson might get in the way.
- Aurelien Raphael
- Marten Van Riel
- Alex Yee
women
The same applies for women with swimming.
Beth Potter was outstanding in the pool but didn’t translate that to open water. I think she may get caught a bit because there is so much swimming power, but I’m glad to be corrected.
Cassandre Beaugrand has given up on winning a world title, giving Beth a clear run.
I think Jessica Learmonth and Georgia Taylor-Brown swimsuits and they will benefit great swimmers like Zsanett Bragmayer and Lena Meissner.
All of this could do the same to Beth as it did to Alex and give the transient advantage to Jess and Georgia.
Beth Potter’s entire day will hinge on that first leg and setting up that first swim because she might struggle in the second swim, so she needs that margin of error.
I’ll go with Beth Potter to win it just ahead of Jess Learmonth and Georgia Taylor-Brown.
- Beth Potter
- Jess Learmois
- Georgia Taylor Brown
