After missing several races, battling illness, and leaving fans questioning whether a second WTCS title was even on her radar, French triathlete Cassandre Beaugrand appears to have firmly set her sights on claiming the top spot in short-distance racing’s ultimate series once again.
When WTCS Abu Dhabi was canceled earlier this year due to conflict in the Middle East, and Beaugrand was forced to skip WTCS Samarkand due to illness, rumors began to circulate that the reigning Olympic champion might bypass the WTCS overall standings this season. Concerns mounted when she subsequently missed Yokohama, prompting fans to closely monitor her next moves.
However, dominant victories in Alghero, Quiberon, and London quickly turned the tide. Beaugrand has now climbed to sixth in the overall standings. While Beth Potter, Tilda Månsson, Lisa Tertsch, Léonie Périault, and Jeanne Lehair currently sit ahead of her, all five athletes have already completed four races – the maximum number allowed before the final. Beaugrand, having completed only three, still has one full race score to add to her tally. A strong performance in her next outing will inevitably launch her into the series lead.
The ultimate champion will be decided at the Grand Final in September, which counts for all contenders. Before the season finale, races in Weihai and Karlovy Vary remain on the schedule, with Beaugrand officially confirmed on the start list for Weihai.
Beaugrand made history in 2024 by capturing the WTCS overall title, becoming the first athlete to win both the Olympic gold medal and the WTCS championship in the same year. Last season, she seemed poised to repeat the feat until a dramatic Grand Final turned the standings upside down. Against all odds, Beaugrand was forced to retire from the final race, while fellow contender Beth Potter faded in the closing stages, opening the door for Lisa Tertsch to snatch the world title at the last possible moment.
