After a significant period of time since the last World Triathlon Cup in New Plymouth, the resumption of second tier short course racing in Mexico did not disappoint, as home star Anahi Alvarez Corral won the World Triathlon Cup Huatulco.
The big news, however, came from the second step of the podium, as American Gwen Jorgensen, just weeks after an incredibly disappointing DNF at WTCS Cagliari pulled out the best performance since her return to triathlon with a fantastic second place.
For Jorgensen, this result may prove to be crucial in her bid to make the Paris Olympic team next season, with the valuable points on offer for such a performance likely to result in a welcome boost to her current world ranking.
Swim – Home favourites to the fore
On a hot and humid day in Southeastern Mexico, home favourite Rosa Maria Tapia Vidal, who was second at WTCS Yokohama last month, led out of the water, coming into transition alongside Brazilian Djenyfer Arnold.
Close behind, Jorgensen had a much stronger swim than she did in Italy last month to remain in contention, with Olympic medalist Katie Zaferes, one of the pre-race favourites, also making it into transition in contact with the leaders.
With the battle between Zaferes and Jorgensen, both of whom are returning to racing this year following the birth of a child, so highly anticipated, it was a great start to see both come out of the water so close together as the pair continue to push for Olympic selection.
Bike – All to play for
With most of the field coming together on the bike course, the lead pack swelled to almost 40 athletes, with many of the women seemingly preparing for a run battle as the group rolled around the 20km course.
In that front group, alongside the likes of Zaferes, Jorgensen and Tapia Vidal was Erica Hawley of Bermuda, Hanne De Vet of Belgium and Australian Charlotte McShane, who was coming into the race off the back of some very strong performances back home.
Run – Time for fireworks
Into transition, the race looked all to play for, with Jorgensen in particular looking like one of the athlete’s who might stand to benefit from a run race for the win, having historically been so strong over the final discipline.
However, it was young Mexican Anahi Alvarez Corral who took everyone by surprise and broke away from the field early on, winning by over 30 seconds in the end with a dazzling run leg to beat a whole host of big names on home soil.
Behind, Jorgensen showed her run pedigree to finish second, her best result to date this season, with another home athlete, Mercedes Romero Orozco, claiming her first World Cup medal in third.
After the race, Jorgensen shared how proud she was to put together such a strong performance, especially after falling ill in the build up to the race.
“I was just trying to hold on to everything I could, I have had a really rough week actually. I have been sick, all I have eaten for the past five days is rice and I graduated to bananas yesterday, so I was just really proud that I was able to come out here and finish.
“I know I am fit and Cagliari was a race that I just mentally really choked. To come out and perform at a level I know I am, is something I am really happy with. I am not sure what’s next, I don’t have many points at the moment so it’s just about taking what races I can get into and competing at my best.”
World Triathlon Cup Huatulco Results 2023
Saturday 17th March 2023 – ELITE WOMEN
750m / 20km / 5km – Huatulco, Mexico
- 1. Anahi Alvarez Corral (MEX) – 1:00:31
- 2. Gwen Jorgensen (USA) – 1:01:04
- 3. Mercedes Romero Orozco (MEX) – 1:01:11
- 4. Charlotte McShane (AUS) – 1:01:12
- 5. Dominika Jamnicky (CAN) – 1:01:14
- 6. Rosa Maria Tapia Vidal (MEX) – 1:01:17
- 7. Lizeth Rueda Santos (MEX) – 1:01:19
- 8. Djenyfer Arnold (BRA) – 1:01:28
- 9. Maria Carolina Velasquez Soto (COL) – 1:01:36
- 10. Gina Sereno (USA) – 1:01:48