Athlete chatter ahead of #WTSYokohama

For the third stop of the 2018 World Triathlon Series, our triathletes return to Japan and the familiar surroundings of Yokohama city. Fittingly, this year’s race also marks the start of the road to Tokyo 2020 Olympics and, with that in mind, some of the elite triathletes and parathletes expressed their thoughts in the press conference 48 hours before the races.

Mario Mola (ESP)
On his feelings about this race: “I’m very excited to be back racing in Yokohama. It has been a very good race for me in the past, and I’m really looking forward to having a great performance here this year as well.”

On the difference he will ideally need to have with the other athletes to win the race: “I like to think of each race as an individual one, and I always like to start the running segment being in the front. With the high level of the athletes nowadays, if I want to have chances of being on the podium. So on Saturday, I will start the race with that in mind, and I will try my best to be in the front pack when it comes to the run. I am prepared to run as fast as I can, as I’ve done before, and have a great race here in Yokohama.”

Kirsten Kasper (USA)
On being the Series Leader: “I am extremely happy with what I have accomplished until now. I had a very good start of the season and I plan to keep on this way.”

On the chances of the rest of the athletes to beat Flora Duffy: “Flora is a great role model for all of us. She has set the bar really high, and we will all try to beat her on one race.”

On her goal to make the USA Olympic team for Tokyo 2020: “Yes, my goal is to make the 2020 Olympics representing the U.S., so this weekend I am hoping for a good start and helping the USA qualify those three spots. Then for myself, I want to set an example of what I can do in hopefully a few years.”

Yuka Sato (JPN)
On her goals for this season: This season I’ve raced in Bermuda, where I finished 7th, and Abu Dhabi where I was 8th. Last year I was not able to perform like this, so I’m really excited and proud of what I’m achieving. Last year my goal was to improve my bike and running skills, and I’m still practising and trying to get better in each race.”

Jumpei Furuya (JPN)
On his goals for this season: “I really don’t have any specific goal, I just want to perform as best as I can. I wasn’t able to finish the race in Bermuda, but I really think that all the training, all my efforts on improving my biking skills are paying off.”

Grace Norman (USA)
On the Yokohama course and how she has been feeling in her training: “I have some jet lag, but I am sure after a few more good night’s sleep I will get over that. As far as my training, it has gone very well. I go to college in Ohio at Cedarville University, so I have been running really strong for them. I want to improve my time and get closer to my other competitors. The bike is coming along as well, I have spent many hours on that to improve because I think that is where my biggest weakness is. The course looks very amazing, it is my first time racing here in Yokohama. I am excited to see how the course actually feels.”