World-class triathlon returns to the iconic Yokohama harbor this Saturday, May 16, as the World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) continues. All eyes are on Britain’s Beth Potter, who arrives as the clear favorite following a dominant run of form, including three wins in her last four WTCS starts.
Potter, the 2023 World Champion, finished with a silver medal in Yokohama last year. She heads into this weekend’s Olympic-distance race (1,500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run) fresh off a victory in Samarkand last month. While Potter posted the fastest run split in Yokohama last year (33:38), she will look to improve her positioning to secure the gold that eluded her twelve months ago.
The Contenders
Defending Yokohama champion Jeanne Lehair (LUX) returns to the site of her breakthrough 2025 victory. Lehair’s win last year was built on a strong swim and a decisive early gap on the run – a performance she backed up with a podium finish in Samarkand last month.
The field features several other high-profile athletes looking to disrupt the Potter-Lehair rivalry:
- Lisa Tertsch (GER): The reigning World Champion is seeking redemption after a bike crash in Samarkand relegated her to 33rd place. She secured bronze on this course in 2025.
- Emma Lombardi (FRA): In the absence of teammates Leonie Periault and Cassandre Beaugrand, Lombardi leads the French contingent. Having finished 4th here on her debut in 2022, she remains a consistent podium threat.
- Kate Waugh (GBR): The T100 World Champion makes her first WTCS start in nearly a year, testing her speed over the shorter distance.
- Laura Lindemann (GER): Lindemann arrives with momentum following a sprint-finish victory in Chengdu last week.
International Depth
The United States brings a veteran squad featuring Taylor Spivey, Kirsten Kasper, and Olympic gold medalist Gwen Jorgensen. Additionally, Australian U23 World Champion Richelle Hill is set to make her WTCS debut, while Sweden’s Tilda Mansson continues her comeback from injury.
Race Conditions
Unlike the cold and rainy conditions of 2025, the forecast for Saturday predicts hot and fair weather. The race is scheduled to begin at 10:15 local time and will be broadcast live on TriathlonLive.tv.
