Dear Athletes,
Today is the first of a new initiative from the World Triathlon Development Team – RACE PREVIEWS.
As athletes you all know that there is only so much training volume you can take on. The human body has a limit on volumes and intensity loads.
What is unlimited is the skill and development an athlete can take into a race that allows them to race a course better and faster. This starts with specific preparation and training with the knowledge of the race course, and is further enhanced with facts around the expected race day conditions.
As is always the case, predictions can only be made on past races, previous results and current race site information. World Triathlon Development have attempted to use the most recent information and data available.
These race previews will be presented as a 5-7min video highlight package identifying key skills and requirements of the race. The World Triathlon Development team has designed this initiative to complement your coaches, the race organisers information and how you prepare yourself for an event. The more information you have the better, so we all hope this deepens your understanding of the races we preview.
The first race is the 2022 World Triathlon Cup Huatulco
on 17-18 June.
Huatulco is a World Cup event in Mexico.
Sprint format
750m 1 lap swim - 20 km 4 lap bike - 5km 2 lap run.
The most challenging aspect is the heat and humidity, which can become greater if there is also rain.
The swim is a beach start with a fairly simple shore break to negotiate. Navigation is simple and the shortest route is to the right of the start line facing the water.
There is a long (50sec at high intensity) run to T1 and a 400m hill at 15% gradient out of T1. The bike generally remains as one pack. The video has highlights on this.
The bike course is open, with corners you can pedal through, although it does tighten up as you approach T2. Stay to the left on approach to T2. The approach is fast and some athletes received penalties in the past for overshooting the dismount line.
The run out of T2 negotiates the same hill as the bike, so having a fast T2 is critical. The run was where the race is most often won. Be prepared for a hot, fast run.
Please note the final course details are published on triathlon.org here and will be presented at the Athlete briefing.
View the World Triathlon Pre Race video here -
Race well.
Emma Carney (AUS)
