Cozumel title wide open for women's race

The triathlon season is anything but over as the World Cup circuit continues with the sun and speed taking over at the 2015 Cozumel ITU World Cup.

The women’s field is open for a new champion as the 2014 winner, Nicola Spirig, is not in contention this year. With the course set for a sprint distance that features a flat but technical bike course, the competition will be packed with heated action on Sunday, October 4.

Capping off the start list is Rachel Klamer (NED). She has had a consistently solid season, finishing sixth overall in the WTS Columbia Threadneedle rankings. Remaining in the top-twenty in every race she has contended in this year, she just finished off the WTS season with her most impressive position, coming in at fifth in the Chicago Grand Final.

Potentially her highest accolade of 2015, Klamer earned the silver medal at the Baku European Games. And while Cozumel will be her first World Cup race of the season, she is sure to impress once the whistle blows on Sunday.

Two podium winners from Cozumel last year return in the hopes of reclaiming their positions. Lisa Perterer (AUT) just missed the gold by seven seconds last year, coming in second to Spirig to take home the silver medal. But with Spirig off the start list, make no mistake she will be wanting to take dibs on this year’s title.

2014’s bronze medal was awarded to Yuliya Yelistratova (UKR). While she has remained on the eastern hemisphere for the majority of the season having great success in European Cups, she has crossed the globe to compete in Cozumel and will stop at nothing to get back on the podium for the second consecutive year.

Japan’s Ai Ueda and Yuka Sato are both set to race in Cozumel for the first time on Sunday. Ueda has a season best in the World Cup circuit when she finished fifth in New Plymouth in March. Sato will be racing her first World Cup race of the season, but has tallied two top-ten finishes in the WTS cycle, so will be one to watch in Mexico.

Lisa Norden (SWE) will be toeing the line as well under the Mexican sun. The Swedish super star has still seen side effects in her recovery from an injury, but has made huge gains this season. She earned the bronze medal at the Baku European Games and has made some quality podiums in the European market.

USA is bringing a strong squad to its neighboring country. Lindsey Jerdonek, Renee Tomlin and Kaitlin Donner are all in the top ten on the start list. Tomlin has recorded two World Cup podiums this season, even getting the win in Chengdu. Donner also has achieved a World Cup victory after winning in New Plymouth.

Hoping to claim a win on home soil, Cecilia Gabriela Perez Flores will mark the start line representing the host country of Mexico.

Women’s Start List