Great Britain’s Alex Yee and Beth Potter triumph in 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series opener in Abu Dhabi

Britain’s Beth Potter and Alex Yee have been crowned winners at the first World Triathlon Championship Series event that took place on 3 March at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi. 

Potter’s victory was her first gold medal in World Series history, as she held on in the heat to secure victory over compatriot Sophie Coldwell who came second and the USA’s Taylor Spivey who finished third. 

For Olympic individual silver medallist Yee, his victory in the men’s race sees him continue the excellent form that saw him finish second in last year’s championship. 

Both the elite men’s and women’s races were competed over the sprint distance that includes a **750m swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run. **

In the women’s race, Potter and Coldwell surged into the lead during the final run section of the race, with the former pulling clear to hold on for an impressive victory. 

Potter, who won gold at the European Triathlon Championships in 2019 but missed out on a place in the GB team for Tokyo 2020, was thrilled with her first gold at this level. 

“Johnny (Brownlee) texted me last night and said ‘you're gonna win’ and I couldn’t believe it, I just wanted to do my best having worked not just on the physical side but also the mental,” she said after the race. “I feel much more calm, positive and aggressive racing.”

Yee’s victory was equally imposing, as the Tokyo 2020 mixed relay gold medallist stormed ahead on the run following a strong challenge from Vasco Vilaca of Portugal (2nd) and Brazil’s Manoel Messias (3rd), saluting the air as he passed the finish line. 

While there will be celebrations in Britain after such a strong start to the season for their triathletes, who secured a place in the Paris 2024 mixed relay competition after coming second at the Montreal Mixed Relay World Championship last June, Georgia Taylor-Brown - who was wearing the number one jersey in Abu Dhabi - was left disappointed after finishing 15th in the season opener. 

Taylor-Brown, the reigning Olympic individual silver medallist, ended last season in second place after a final-day loss to Bermuda’s Olympic Champion Flora Duffy saw her fall short of the 2022 title. 

In the men’s race, reigning series champion Leo Bergere could only manage to finish sixth, the last of a French trio including Vincent Luis (4th) and Dorian Coninx (5th) to occupy the places just off of the podium.

What happens next in the World Triathlon Championship Series?

The next race in the 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series calendar takes place in Yokohama from 13-14 May, with four more races set to take place in 2023 before the season finale in Pontevedra, Spain on 23-24 September. 

2023 World Triathlon Championship Series calendar 

• Yokohama: 13-14 May 2023
• Cagliari: 27-28 May 2023
• Montreal: 25-26 June 2023
• Hamburg: 15-16 July 2023
• Sunderland: 29-30 July 2023
• Pontevedra: 23-24 September 2023 (series finale)