Abu Dhabi, 18 February 2025: New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde and Germany’s Lisa Tertsch kicked off their World Triathlon Championship Series with wins this weekend, taking to the podium at Modon World Triathlon Championship Series Abu Dhabi powered by TAQA.

In the tenth edition of this prestigious global event, the races kicked off on Saturday at Al Hudayriyat Island, which hosted the championship for the first time, amidst an electrifying atmosphere and a high level of competition from the world’s elite athletes.

The series saw Germany secure a podium sweep as Lisa Tertsch crossed the finish line ahead of her teammates Nina Eim and Laura Lindemann in the Elite Women’s Race, while Australia’s Matt Hauser and Portugal’s Vasco Vilaca secured silver and bronze, respectively, behind Hayden Wilde.

Almost 1400 elites, community, para, and kids took to the start line for an event that showcased the very best of triathlon. In the now traditional season opener, 32 nationalities were represented across the weekend.

With the Abu Dhabi skyline forming an iconic backdrop, Al Hudayriyat Island witnessed remarkable performances at the Para World Cup race with Clivenne Tjenderasa securing a victory for the UAE in the women's race, while Saifuldin Said claimed top spot for Egypt in the men's race. There was also a glimpse into the future of the sport as 120 kids aged 9-11 competed with a number of standout performances which saw New Zealand’s Atalia Baker achieve first place for the girls’ race and Austria’s Ben Hoehn win the boys’ race.

Sunday began with a huge celebration of amateur triathlon as over 1000 participants tested themselves along the standard swim, cycle, and running distances in the Age Group categories. This was an opportunity for all members of the community to compete on the same course as the world’s best and cheered on by a packed Fan Village taking them across the finish line.

Elsewhere on Sunday the Sprint and Super-Sprint events showcased the shorted forms of the sport, while children from age 12-15 once again showed the future of the sport is in safe hands.

The curtain came down on the weekend with the Elite Mixed Relay, which was won by Team Germany: Selina Klamt, Jan Diener, Tanja Neubert, Henry Graf, bringing to a close another thrilling two days of competition – and underlined the popularity of triathlon in Abu Dhabi, and it’s standing as one of the world’s premier destinations for the sport.

For the full race results, please visit the World Triathlon Championship Series website at www.triathlon.org.

A delighted Hyden Wilde, winner of the Elite Men’s race expressed: 'I just went out there and had a bit of fun, I've been here for weeks, and they welcomed me with open arms and I've just been loving it. I've raced Matt over the 5K run many times. I saw his coach say, ‘one more push!’ and I knew he had it in him. I just had to hold the pace and he was coming hot! With Matt, Morgan, and the others, I had to push hard on the bike to drop some strong runners, and it looks like we did that.'

Lisa Tertsch, winner of the Elite Women’s race, said: “I’m happy with my execution—I prepared well and executed my plan. Knowing I was number one, I had no one to cue off at the lineup, so I had to trust my position. I had already decided where I wanted to stand, so even if others moved to the side, I stayed confident. I told myself, ‘I can swim fast on my own, so I’ll do it.’”

The action continued away from the racecourse, as hundreds of friends and families of those competing descended on the Fan Village. From enjoying the prime viewing action spots, the action on the track along with a variety of family-friendly entertainment and activities.

Talal Al Hashemi, Executive Director of the Events Sector at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: 'We are proud to witness the participation of athletes from all segments of society, alongside an elite group of top-tier triathletes, in the Mudon World Triathlon Championship. With the support of TAQA, Abu Dhabi—specifically Al Hudayriat Island—continues to host world-class sporting events that not only showcase excellence but also contribute to expanding knowledge and access to the best in international sports.'

Al Hashimi congratulated the champions of the first day’s competitions, which saw the return of the world’s elite triathletes to compete once again on Abu Dhabi. The prestigious event was further highlighted by a large public turnout, reaffirming the significance of the safe and welcoming environment Abu Dhabi provides for international athletes and attendees alike. This strong participation reflects global confidence in the UAE’s ability to successfully host and manage world-class sporting events.

Bill O’Regan | Group CEO – Modon said: “It has been a delight to watch such a competitive series this year, from the Para-Triathletes to juniors as well as the world’s-elite all lined up to participate with such energy to cross their respective courses in the fastest times possible.  Modon is proud to have hosted The World Triathlon Championship Series on Hudayriyat Island as the triathletes enjoyed a beachfront start for the first time in Abu Dhabi, whilst the purpose-built cycling & running tracks provided that perfect platform to perform at their very best.  We hope that all competitors achieved their personal goals and wish them a safe journey home”.

Jasim Husain Thabet, Group Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, TAQA, said: 'With His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, declaring 2025 as the Year of Community, TAQA is honoured to welcome and support global elite athletes as part of the World Triathlon Championship Series from across the globe to Abu Dhabi. This event serves as a powerful embodiment of uniting local, regional, and global sporting communities in a celebration of athletic excellence and resilience.'