New Zealand star Hayden Wilde has opened his 2026 triathlon campaign in the same dominant fashion that defined his remarkable 2025 season, claiming victory at the Oceania Triathlon Cup Napier.
Last year will be hard to surpass. Aside from a heavy crash that sidelined him for several months, Wilde swept nearly every major race he started. Now, he appears intent on building even more momentum.
Racing over the sprint distance in Napier, the Kiwi delivered a composed and controlled performance, stopping the clock at 51:46. He crossed the line eight seconds clear of compatriot Saxon Morgan, while Henry McMecking secured third place in 51:57 to complete an all–New Zealand podium at the Oceania Cup event, which largely attracted athletes from New Zealand and Australia.
The race marked Wilde’s first step in what could be a pivotal season. In 2026, he plans to shift part of his focus back toward short-course racing, keeping open the possibility of qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
It is only March, but Hayden Wilde already looks exactly where he left off — at the front.
