Today's Edition
Kuumar Shyam (Abu Dhabi)
Hayden Wilde and Kate Waugh arrive at this week’s T100 Triathlon World Championship Final with their season ambitions on the line after completing a three-week training block in Abu Dhabi. The New Zealander and the Briton lead the men’s and women’s standings respectively, and Friday’s finale in Lusail will determine whether they convert year-long consistency into world titles in a series where the final race carries the highest points weighting.
The T100 format – a 100km elite triathlon series held across global stops – awards 55 points for victory in the season finale, compared with 35 at regular events. That leaves both championships still open despite the commanding positions Wilde and Waugh have built through the year.
Their choice to remain in the UAE capital following the Dubai T100 in mid-November was made with the goal of sealing the title in conditions expected to be similar to those of the final race.
Wilde enters the decider on maximum points from his best four results after a dominant run that brought victories in Singapore, London, the French Riviera, Spain and Wollongong. That sequence has been all the more remarkable given the severe injuries he suffered in a bike crash in Japan in May, including a punctured lung, six broken ribs and surgery to his left shoulder blade.
He said the UAE stint provided the final platform he needed. “Abu Dhabi offered everything I needed for this crucial period of training,” Wilde said. “The facilities are absolutely world-class – from the swimming pools to the cycling routes and running tracks. Everything is set up to support athletes at the highest level, which was exactly what I needed heading into the biggest race of the season.”
He added that the climate work was central to his decision. “Training in Abu Dhabi’s weather has been perfect preparation. The temperatures, the humidity – it’s all very similar to what we’ll experience on race day. That familiarity and acclimatisation will be invaluable.”
Wilde said the city itself played a role in easing the final phase of his return. “The time zone worked perfectly for my preparation schedule, and honestly, I’ve fallen in love with Abu Dhabi. The city has this incredible energy, and the people have been so welcoming. There’s a real sporting culture here, and you can feel the passion for athletics.”
Waugh, meanwhile, retained her lead in the Race to Qatar standings despite finishing second in Dubai to Switzerland’s Julie Derron, who has moved into strong contention for the women’s title. The 26-year-old has not finished outside the top three in five T100 starts this season and said her Abu Dhabi block had removed any uncertainty ahead of her first crack at the championship.
“Abu Dhabi has been the perfect base for me,” Waugh said. “After racing in Dubai in November, it made complete sense to come here and continue my preparation. The training facilities are second to none.
“Training in Abu Dhabi’s conditions means I’m already acclimatised to what we’ll face. There’s no temperature shock, no adjustment period – I can arrive ready to perform at my best from day one. That’s a significant advantage heading into a race of this magnitude.”
With the titles still mathematically open and increased points on offer, both Wilde and Waugh enter the finale with momentum but little margin for error as the T100 season reaches its climax.
