Preview the race with athletes and delegates in Weihai

by courtney.akrigg@triathlon.org on 25 Aug, 2023 02:03 • Español

China welcomes top athletes from around the world to race in the 2023 World Triathlon Cup Weihai on Saturday 26th August. Athletes will compete over a standard-distance race course, starting with an ocean swim from Half Moon Bay. The bike and run routes boast stunning views of the coast and athletes are enthusiastic about the challenging course and conditions. Watch the action unfold on TriathlonLive.tv from 8.30am local time for the men and 11.15am for the women, as athletes continue their hunt for points and ranking in a crucial Olympic qualification window and the back half of the 2023 season.

Qin Jianqiu, Secretary of China Triathlon Sports Association
Over the past decade, the Weihai Triathlon has developed into a high-quality event platform that combines competitive sports, mass participation, and the sports industry. Its influence and reputation have grown year by year, making it a well-known triathlon event both domestically and internationally. It has been recognized as one of the top ten sports tourism events in China and a national-level sports industry demonstration project. The development of the Weihai Triathlon should embrace a global perspective with Chinese characteristics, integrating triathlon into urban development and citizens’ lives, and positioning Weihai as a hub for triathlon sports. The event’s organization standards and level should adhere to international norms, while athlete services should prioritize a people-centered approach, enhancing the quality of services and participants’ experiences. In terms of audience engagement, we should uphold the principle of putting people at the center, creating an environment conducive for spectators, and transforming the Weihai Triathlon into a grand festival for the people of Weihai and visitors from around the world.

Lasse Nygaard Priester (GER)
“I haven’t been to China before and I am surprised how relaxed the atmosphere around the race venue is here in Weihai. An Ocean swim and racing along the coast always have their own vibe and I like this kind of racing a lot. Of course, I would like to do well on Saturday, gaining confidence and points for the second part of the season with the Championship Finals in Pontevedra coming up in a few weeks time, so this race is important for me.”

Bianca Seregni (ITA)
“I admit I don’t have so much experience behind me. Last year I achieved good results but I have a long way to go and I’m trusting the process. Here in Weihai it’s another race to experience, I have to find my confidence after a bad period cause I was injured for 3 months. But I just go for it, enjoy it and give my best. I’m really excited to start with number 1 here in Weihai, it’s my first time ever, I have always just admired the athlete who had it.”

“This race is of course important for my Olympic points. I say this year started complicated with a stop from training and races. I missed the first races of the season and I just have to compete now to achieve points for the second Olympic period.”

Márta Kropkó HUN
It’s going to be my last race before a bigger training block which builds up to the end of the season. I had many races already but just like them, this is equally important to me. I am hoping to deliver a performance I have been training for and that tactics will be on my side this time.”

Xinying Yu CHN
“We concluded our training camp in St. Moritz ahead of schedule. We are very grateful to the national team for providing us with such excellent conditions, allowing us to arrive in Weihai early to acclimate to the climate and environment. This enables us to perform at our best competitive level during the race. I’m looking forward to surpassing my personal best in World Cup competitions and achieving a breakthrough in this race.”

Review the full athlete start lists and follow the races live and on-demand over on TriathlonLive.tv

WeihaiWC2023_PressConference