Samarkand, Uzbekistan Apr 25, 2026
Source: https://events.triathlon.org/2026-wtcs-samarkand
1026 World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) Samarkand
The 2026 World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) Samarkand is a landmark event for the sport, serving as the season opener for the World Triathlon Championship Series following the postponement of the Abu Dhabi round earlier this year.
The event takes place this weekend, April 24–26, 2026, at the Silk Road Samarkand tourist complex in Uzbekistan.
Event Schedule & Details
This is the first time a WTCS event has been held in Uzbekistan, making it a historic moment for Central Asian sports.
- Women’s Elite Race: Saturday, April 25 | 01:00 UTC (06:00 Local)
- Men’s Elite Race: Saturday, April 25 | 03:45 UTC (08:45 Local)
- Format: Standard Distance (1.5km Swim, 40km Bike, 10km Run)
- Paratriathlon: For the first time at a season opener, the World Triathlon Para Cup is being held alongside the elite races on the same weekend.
The Course
The races are centered around the Silk Road Samarkand complex, which features world-class infrastructure designed for high-level endurance sports:
- Swim: Held in a purpose-built rowing canal fed by mountain water, ensuring excellent conditions and visibility.
- Bike & Run: Fast and flat courses that wind through the complex and past the “Eternal City,” a site reflecting historical Silk Road architecture.
Why This Race Matters
As the first points-scoring opportunity of the 2026 WTCS season, Samarkand is drawing a high-caliber field. Notably, USA Triathlon has sent a strong contingent including Olympic medalists Gwen Jorgensen and Taylor Spivey.
The 2026 season is also being viewed as a crucial “prelude” year. World Triathlon is using this season to refine the competitive structure before the official launch of the Triathlon World Tour in 2027.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking to watch the action live, the races are being streamed on TriathlonLive.tv. With Samarkand’s local time being UTC+5, viewers in the Americas will need to tune in during the late evening on April 24.
Startlist World Triathlon Championship Series Samarkand
| # | Athlete First | Athlete Last | Nat | YoB | Program |
| 1 | Lisa | Tertsch | GER | 1998 | Elite Women |
| 2 | Leonie | Periault | FRA | 1994 | Elite Women |
| 3 | Beth | Potter | GBR | 1991 | Elite Women |
| 4 | Taylor | Spivey | USA | 1991 | Elite Women |
| 5 | Bianca | Seregni | ITA | 2000 | Elite Women |
| 6 | Jeanne | Lehair | LUX | 1996 | Elite Women |
| 7 | Cassandre | Beaugrand | FRA | 1997 | Elite Women |
| 8 | Diana | Isakova | AIN | 1999 | Elite Women |
| 9 | Jolien | Vermeylen | BEL | 1994 | Elite Women |
| 10 | Tanja | Neubert | GER | 2000 | Elite Women |
| 11 | Olivia | Mathias | GBR | 1998 | Elite Women |
| 12 | Tilda | Månsson | SWE | 2004 | Elite Women |
| 14 | Rosa Maria | Tapia Vidal | MEX | 1997 | Elite Women |
| 16 | Sian | Rainsley | GBR | 1997 | Elite Women |
| 17 | Maria | Tomé | POR | 2001 | Elite Women |
| 18 | Jessica | Fullagar | GBR | 2000 | Elite Women |
| 19 | Tilly | Anema | GBR | 2001 | Elite Women |
| 20 | Verena | Steinhauser | ITA | 1994 | Elite Women |
| 21 | Ilaria | Zane | ITA | 1992 | Elite Women |
| 22 | Gwen | Jorgensen | USA | 1986 | Elite Women |
| 23 | Erika | Ackerlund | USA | 1996 | Elite Women |
| 24 | Márta | Kropkó | HUN | 2003 | Elite Women |
| 25 | Laura | Lindemann | GER | 1996 | Elite Women |
| 26 | Kanae | Takenaka | JPN | 2001 | Elite Women |
| 27 | Zuzana | Michalickova | SVK | 2002 | Elite Women |
| 28 | Romana | Gajdošová | SVK | 1994 | Elite Women |
| 29 | Danielle | Orie | USA | 1999 | Elite Women |
| 30 | Valentina | Riasova | AIN | 1998 | Elite Women |
| 31 | Heidi | Juránková | CZE | 2002 | Elite Women |
| 32 | Selina | Klamt | GER | 2001 | Elite Women |
| 33 | Mako | Hiraizumi | JPN | 2003 | Elite Women |
| 34 | Georgia | Taylor-Brown | GBR | 1994 | Elite Women |
| 35 | Vittoria | Lopes | BRA | 1996 | Elite Women |
| 36 | Marta | Pintanel Raymundo | ESP | 1999 | Elite Women |
| 37 | Kirsten | Kasper | USA | 1991 | Elite Women |
| 38 | Babette | Rosman | NED | 1996 | Elite Women |
| 39 | Robin | Dreijling | NED | 2002 | Elite Women |
| 40 | Hye Rim | Jeong | KOR | 1999 | Elite Women |
| 41 | Rosa Elena | Martinez Melchior | VEN | 1995 | Elite Women |
| 42 | Diana | Dunajska | SVK | 2006 | Elite Women |
| 43 | Ji Yeon | Kim | KOR | 1990 | Elite Women |
| # | Athlete First | Athlete Last | Nat | YoB | Program |
| 1 | Miguel | Hidalgo | BRA | 2000 | Elite Men |
| 2 | Vasco | Vilaca | POR | 1999 | Elite Men |
| 3 | Henry | Graf | GER | 2002 | Elite Men |
| 4 | David | Cantero Del Campo | ESP | 2003 | Elite Men |
| 5 | Csongor | Lehmann | HUN | 1999 | Elite Men |
| 6 | Alessio | Crociani | ITA | 2001 | Elite Men |
| 7 | Charles | Paquet | CAN | 1997 | Elite Men |
| 8 | Ricardo | Batista | POR | 2000 | Elite Men |
| 9 | Diego | Moya | CHI | 1998 | Elite Men |
| 10 | John | Reed | USA | 2001 | Elite Men |
| 11 | Miguel Tiago | Silva | POR | 1998 | Elite Men |
| 12 | Max | Stapley | GBR | 1999 | Elite Men |
| 14 | Harry | Leleu | GBR | 1996 | Elite Men |
| 16 | Jack | Willis | GBR | 1997 | Elite Men |
| 17 | Chase | McQueen | USA | 1998 | Elite Men |
| 18 | Tjebbe | Kaindl | AUT | 1999 | Elite Men |
| 19 | Valentin | Wernz | GER | 1995 | Elite Men |
| 20 | Takumi | Hojo | JPN | 1996 | Elite Men |
| 21 | Tom | Richard | FRA | 1993 | Elite Men |
| 22 | Callum | McClusky | AUS | 1998 | Elite Men |
| 23 | Darr | Smith | USA | 1998 | Elite Men |
| 24 | Seth | Rider | USA | 1997 | Elite Men |
| 25 | Ian | Pennekamp | NED | 2001 | Elite Men |
| 26 | Hugo | Milner | GBR | 1998 | Elite Men |
| 27 | Márton | Kropkó | HUN | 2005 | Elite Men |
| 28 | Manoel | Messias | BRA | 1996 | Elite Men |
| 29 | Oliver | Conway | GBR | 2005 | Elite Men |
| 30 | João Nuno | Batista | POR | 2005 | Elite Men |
| 31 | Aoba | Yasumatsu | JPN | 1997 | Elite Men |
| 32 | Bence | Bicsák | HUN | 1995 | Elite Men |
| 33 | Kenji | Nener | JPN | 1993 | Elite Men |
| 34 | James | Corbett | TRI | 2002 | Elite Men |
| 35 | Ren | Sato | JPN | 1995 | Elite Men |
| 36 | Yanis | Seguin | FRA | 2000 | Elite Men |
| 37 | Jérémy | Quindos | UZB | 1991 | Elite Men |
| 38 | Gjalt | Panjer | NED | 2002 | Elite Men |
| 39 | Maciej | Bruzdziak | POL | 1998 | Elite Men |
| 40 | Nicola | Azzano | ITA | 1997 | Elite Men |
| 41 | Mathis | Beaulieu | CAN | 2004 | Elite Men |
| 42 | Andree | Buc | CHI | 2004 | Elite Men |
| 43 | Grigory | Antipov | AIN | 1999 | Elite Men |
| 44 | Jonas | Osterholt | GER | 2000 | Elite Men |
| 45 | Kazushi | Jozuka | JPN | 2004 | Elite Men |
| 46 | Gergely | Kiss | HUN | 2001 | Elite Men |
| 47 | Denis | Kolobrodov | AIN | 2001 | Elite Men |
| 48 | Maxime | Hueber-Moosbrugger | FRA | 1996 | Elite Men |
| 49 | Michael | Gar | GBR | 2004 | Elite Men |
| 50 | Takuto | Oshima | JPN | 2005 | Elite Men |
| 51 | Tim | Hellwig | GER | 1999 | Elite Men |
| 52 | Andrés | Prieto Villar | ESP | 2003 | Elite Men |
World Triathlon Championship Winners: 2016-2025
The World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) determines the world champions based on a points system across multiple races throughout the season. Here is a breakdown of the elite winners from the last decade (2016–2025).
World Triathlon Champions (2016–2025)
| Year | Elite Men’s Champion | Elite Women’s Champion |
| 2025 | Matthew Hauser (AUS) | Lisa Tertsch (GER) |
| 2024 | Alex Yee (GBR) | Cassandre Beaugrand (FRA) |
| 2023 | Dorian Coninx (FRA) | Beth Potter (GBR) |
| 2022 | Léo Bergère (FRA) | Flora Duffy (BER) |
| 2021 | Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) | Flora Duffy (BER) |
| 2020* | Vincent Luis (FRA) | Georgia Taylor-Brown (GBR) |
| 2019 | Vincent Luis (FRA) | Katie Zaferes (USA) |
| 2018 | Mario Mola (ESP) | Vicky Holland (GBR) |
| 2017 | Mario Mola (ESP) | Flora Duffy (BER) |
| 2016 | Mario Mola (ESP) | Flora Duffy (BER) |
*Note: In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world titles were decided by a single race in Hamburg rather than a full series.
Statistical Summary
Most Titles (Last 10 Years)
- Women: Flora Duffy (Bermuda) dominates the decade with 4 titles (2016, 2017, 2021, 2022).
- Men: Mario Mola (Spain) holds 3 titles, achieving a rare “three-peat” from 2016 to 2018.
Dominant Nations
The distribution of gold medals by country over the last 10 years highlights the shift in triathlon powerhouses:
| Nation | Men’s Titles | Women’s Titles | Total |
| Great Britain | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Bermuda | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| France | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Spain | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Australia | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Germany | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Norway | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| USA | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Key Trends
- French Resurgence: Since 2019, the French men have been incredibly strong, taking 4 of the last 7 world titles.
- The “Yee” Era: After several years of finishing on the podium, Alex Yee (GBR) finally secured his first World Title in 2024, following his Olympic Gold in Paris.
- Diversity in Women’s Winners: While Flora Duffy was the dominant force, the last three years (2023–2025) have seen three different first-time champions from three different nations (Great Britain, France, and Germany).
Ranking and Placement for Jeanne Lehair
While Jeanne Lehair does not hold a World Championship Series (WTCS) title between 2016 and 2025, she has become one of the most prominent “disruptors” in the elite field during the latter half of that decade.
Her situation is unique due to her high-profile change in nationality and her rapid ascent to the top of the world rankings.
1. Ranking and Placement (The “Top Tier” Contender)
Lehair has consistently been a top-10 force in the world rankings recently.
- World Ranking: As of early 2026, she holds a World Ranking of 3, placing her directly among the elite names like Cassandre Beaugrand and Beth Potter.
- WTCS Performance: She made her breakthrough in 2023 with her first top-five finish in the World Triathlon Championship Series (Cagliari). In the 2024 series, she secured strong finishes, including 4th in Hamburg and 5th in Cagliari, proving she can compete stroke-for-stroke with world champions.
2. Major Titles and Achievements
While the WTCS title (the season-long series) has eluded her, she has secured other major championship honors:
- 2023 European Champion: She won the Elite Women’s European title in Madrid, which marked her arrival as a major individual championship threat.
- Supertri Success: She has been a dominant force in the Supertri league (formerly Super League Triathlon), frequently leading the series rankings and winning individual races in major cities like London and Boston.
3. Nationality Transition
Lehair’s “situation” in the statistics is often noted because of her switch from France to Luxembourg:
- France (Pre-2022): She was part of the elite French system, even winning the World Mixed Relay Championship with the French team in 2015.
- Luxembourg (2022–Present): To secure more individual opportunities and honors, she switched to Luxembourg. Under this flag, she competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics (though she suffered a DNF during the race).
Summary of her “Situation”
If you were to rank the “Best of the Rest” behind the world champions listed previously, Jeanne Lehair would be at the very top of that list. She is currently Luxembourg’s most successful triathlete in history and enters the 2026 season as a primary challenger to end the dominance of the British and French women.
Results 2026 World Triathlon Championship Series Samarkand
Women’s Results (Top 10)
| # | Athlete | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beth Potter | 🇬🇧 GBR | 1:53:17 |
| 2 | Leonie Periault | 🇫🇷 FRA | 1:53:26 |
| 3 | Jeanne Lehair | 🇱🇺 LUX | 1:54:20 |
| 4 | Georgia Taylor-Brown | 🇬🇧 GBR | 1:54:32 |
| 5 | Taylor Spivey | 🇺🇸 USA | 1:54:53 |
| 6 | Bianca Seregni | 🇮🇹 ITA | 1:55:05 |
| 7 | Jolien Vermeylen | 🇧🇪 BEL | 1:55:05 |
| 8 | Sian Rainsley | 🇬🇧 GBR | 1:55:09 |
| 9 | Tanja Neubert | 🇩🇪 GER | 1:55:16 |
| 10 | Tilly Anema | 🇬🇧 GBR | 1:55:21 |
Men’s Results (Top 10)
| # | Athlete | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vasco Vilaca | 🇵🇹 POR | 1:43:33 |
| 2 | Henry Graf | 🇩🇪 GER | 1:43:37 |
| 3 | Charles Paquet | 🇨🇦 CAN | 1:43:41 |
| 4 | Csongor Lehmann | 🇭🇺 HUN | 1:43:47 |
| 5 | Oliver Conway | 🇬🇧 GBR | 1:43:50 |
| 6 | Tom Richard | 🇫🇷 FRA | 1:43:52 |
| 7 | Hugo Milner | 🇬🇧 GBR | 1:43:55 |
| 8 | Ricardo Batista | 🇵🇹 POR | 1:44:08 |
| 9 | David Cantero Del Campo | 🇪🇸 ESP | 1:44:32 |
| 10 | Ian Pennekamp | 🇳🇱 NED | 1:44:39 |
Race Summary: In the women’s race, Britain’s Beth Potter outlasted Leonie Periault in a thrilling run duel to claim victory . On the men’s side, Vasco Vilaca of Portugal secured his first-ever World Triathlon Championship Series win with a well-timed sprint finish .
