Small British team takes on Chicago

A small British team of just three athletes will race at the ITU World Triathlon Chicago this weekend. Helen Jenkins and Adam Bowden compete on Saturday and Sunday respectively whilst Clare Cunningham competes in the International Paratriathlon Event.

With many of Britain’s top triathletes sitting out this round of the ITU World Triathlon Series in order to concentrate on Commonwealth Games preparation, Helen Jenkins could improve her current ranking of fourth.

She commented: “I love going to the USA and Chicago is a new destination for the World Series so I was always keen to go. I’ve got an opportunity to improve my ranking but racing is unpredictable and my objective is just to go there and enjoy it.”

Jorgensen (USA) is currently ranked number one having won the previous round in London. Without second ranked Jodie Stimpson (GBR) and third ranked Sarah Groff (USA) this weekend, Jenkins could improve her own ranking and crucially complete her fourth of the required five rounds that count towards the scoring leading into the Grand Final in Edmonton at the end of August.

She added: “I’m better placed in the Series than I expected to be and I’m really happy with how things are going.”

Adam Bowden’s best result this season so far was ninth in Yokohama.. The flatter courses and hot weather seem to suit the 31 year-old, who is looking forward to racing in Chicago.

He said: “The World Series is my top priority this season and my aim is always to be in the top 10 or trying for a podium. The course looks fast and technical with quite a few dead turns but as we are in Chicago the roads are nice and wide. It’s going to be very exciting I can’t wait to get out there and race.”

He goes up against Javier Gomez (ESP), Mario Mola (ESP) and Richard Murray (RSA), who sit first, third and fourth overall in the current Seriesrankings.

Clare Cunningham is the highest ranked athlete in the PT4 paratriathlon event on Saturday. Having finished third at last year’s world championships, this weekend’s objective is to score points to qualify her for the Grand Final in Edmonton.

The paratriathlon takes place at 8.30am (local time) on Saturday followed by the women’s elite race at 12.30pm (6.30pm UK time). The men’s race is on Sunday at 4pm (10pm UK time).

The men’s and women’s elite races will be televised live on the BBC Red Button and triathlonlive.tv. Highlights will be available on Monday 30 June at 9am. You can follow the action on twitter via @triathlonlive and using the hashtag #WTSChicago.