Cassandre Beaugrand and Hayden Wilde dominant at Super League Triathlon Malibu
Cassandre Beaugrand and Hayden Wilde provided the star wattage in Malibu, California, today, at the third leg of the 2023 Super League Triathlon Championship Series.
The women’s race saw French racer Beaugrand, 26, break the resolve of her compatriot Emma Lombardi on the final run leg of the day to cross the line with an 8-second cushion, with Jeanne Lehair (Luxembourg) finishing third, newly crowned WTCS world champ Beth Potter fourth and the USA’s Katie Zafares rounding out the top five.
“I wasn’t expecting that at the start of the race – I’m not used to swimming in these waves and I was sick during the first choppy swim of the day,” said Beaugrand at the finish. “It was also a technical bike leg, but I’m happy to bring the points for the Scorpions team as we needed the points.”
Beaugrand’s win was her first of the 2023 Championship Series, but it would be the third-place finisher Lehair who’d move to the top of the rankings with the Grand Final to come in NEOM, Saudi Arabia, on 21 October. However, Lombardi and Waugh are in close order while Potter and Sophie Coldwell are also in with a shout.
After his controversial Super League Triathlon Championship Series frustration in Toulouse, France, earlier this month, New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde secured revenge by powering to victory over French star Leo Bergere in Malibu, California.
Wilde mistakenly attempted to ride an extra bike lap while leading the race alongside the Frenchmen in Toulouse, but there’d be no such troubles at Zuma Beach as he surged clear on the final run leg to scoop yet another Super League victory. Aussie Matt Hauser would complete the podium ahead of Henri Schoeman, with Portugal’s Vasco Vilaca fifth, GB’s Alex Yee sixth and Norwegian superstar Kristian Blummenfelt seventh.
“Since [the Olympic test event in] Paris, I’ve been on a downward slope with unfortunate mishaps and mistakes on my behalf as well,” said Wilde at the finish. “It was really nice to put together a race that I know I’m capable of and I’m stoked to do it here in Malibu. It was great to work with Henri [Schoeman] on the bike and try to secure some points for the Scorpions.”
The result places Wilde third in the 2023 Series standings after three rounds, with Bergere at the top and Jonny Brownlee in second. With just four points separating the top five men, it is all to play for in NEOM.
The Sharks had a below par day and saw their Leaderboard dominance slashed by the Eagles and the Scorpions who are tied in second place with the Warriors way adrift in fourth. All is to play for in NEOM on 21 October.
