ITU confirms dates for WTS Abu Dhabi and WTS Yokohama 2018

ITU is pleased to announce that dates have been confirmed for WTS Abu Dhabi and WTS Yokohama for 2018. The season will head over to the UAE again to start the ITU World Triathlon Series, with WTS Abu Dhabi taking place on March 2-3, while WTS Yokohama will take place on the weekend of 12-13 May.

For the fourth year in a row, the Series will start in Abu Dhabi, which will be home again of the world’s best triathletes to kick-off their season.

“We are thrilled to come back to UAE again, as is the perfect fit for the ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi and the magnificent venue will build on the competition’s success by helping us accommodate larger numbers in line with our objectives for this event” said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado.

Abu Dhabi boasts a series of spectacular attractions, pristine beaches and some of the most picturesque sights, a perfect set up to start to the ITU World Triathlon Series for 2018.

Only two months after the start of the WTS season, triathletes will travel to Japan for another edition of WTS Yokohama. One of the oldest races on the circuit will be ready again to welcome ITU races as the countries excitement builds towards Tokyo 2020.

“Yokohama is one of the most amazing venues on our series. The city and the spectators love triathlon and they show it every time we go there, so we are thrilled to welcome them on our circuit once more, like they’ve been doing consistently since 2011”, said Casado.

For the 2018 season, ITU has already announced the dates for the Grand Final, which will be hosted in the Gold Coast from 12-16 September, while Bermuda will welcome for the first time ever an WTS event, with World Triathlon Bermuda taking place in 28 April 2018.

All WTS races will be broadcast live to a worldwide television audience as well as on Triathlonlive.tv. Last year, ITU increased the prize money for the ITU World Triathlon Series by $100,000 USD, with a total of $855,000 available to the top 35 men and women. With nearly $2.5 million US dollars up for grabs, the WTS remains one of the richest triathlon circuits worldwide.