The Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games move a step closer this weekend with the Olympic qualification period opening ahead the ITU World Triathlon Yokohama. The race marks the third round of the ITU World Triathlon Series and the opening round of the ITU World Paratriathlon Series. British athletes including Jodie Stimpson, Non Stanford, Marc Austin and Joe Townsend are set to race.

Racing takes place over night on Friday into Saturday morning British time, with the Paratriathlon first off at 10:55pm followed by the women’s race at 2am followed by the men at 5am.

Jodie Stimpson is looking to build on her form from Bermuda, where she finished eighth. She’s joined by Non Stanford on the start line, who has completed a solid block of training since having the honour of being Team Wales overall captain at the Commonwealth Games last month.

Stimpson said: “Looking at the field, you have to expect that Flora will want to disappear up the road on her own again, but I know my bike legs are there and hopefully I can put myself in a good position at the start of the 10km run to move things on from the result in Bermuda if possible. That’s the aim, to keep building towards the later part of the season.”

Marc Austin is also keen to capitalise his good early season form, which took him to a Commonwealth bronze medal. Racing over the longer standard distance will present some different challenges, but the 24 year-old Scot can start with confidence.

He’s joined by fellow Scot, Grant Sheldon, and Tom Bishop, who has been a podium finisher in the ITU World Triathlon Series and will want to maximise his opportunities as we build toward the home race in Leeds next month.

Both races have high quality fields including defending champion and current Series lead Mario Mola (ESP), Commonwealth champion Henri Shoeman (RSA), defending champion Flora Duffy (BER), Series leader Kirsten Kasper (USA) and two of the three victorious Norwegians from the previous round in Bermuda. 

The course is flat with a lot of twists and turns to navigate. Last year’s wet conditions saw several athletes, including Jonny Brownlee, Jess Learmonth and Katie Zaferes (USA) crash during the 40km bike section.

High quality paratriathlon line up

The Paratriathlon also features a high-quality field including some British stars. Paralympic Games silver medal winner Lauren Steadman, Commonwealth Champion Joe Townsend, and World Champion Dave Ellis are all set to race in their respective categories. 

Points won here will help qualify them for the ITU World Championships on the Gold Coast in September, but there’s also significant pride in winning each round of the sport’s top level international series. 

This is the final weekend under the charge of outgoing National Performance Director, Brendan Purcell, who is part of the British delegation that is taking the opportunity to review plans and preparations for 2020. Purcell has overseen success for British triathletes and paratriathletes since 2013 and moves on to British Rowing next month.

British triathletes racing in Yokohama; 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run:
Women (2am Saturday morning British time): Jodie Stimpson, Non Stanford
Men (5am Saturday morning British time): Tom Bishop, Marc Austin, Grant Sheldon
Compete start lists HERE.

British paratriathletes racing in Yokohama; 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run; 10:55pm start Friday 11 May:
PTWC Joe Townsend 
PTS2 Fran Brown 
PTS3 Ryan Taylor
PTS4 Steven Crowley
PTS5 George Peasgood, Lauren Steadman
PTVI Dave Ellis / Carl Shaw (guide)
Compete start lists HERE.

How to watch:

• Paratriathlon: Free multicam live stream via triathlon.org/live and on Facebook from 10:55pm Friday evening
• Women’s race: Red button live from 1:55am and repeated 1pm on Saturday
• Men’s race: Red button live from 4:55am and repeated 3pm on Saturday
• Highlights: BBC Two 1-3pm Sunday 13 May

Forthcoming ITU World Triathlon Series dates:

• 7 Jun: ITU World Triathlon Mixed Relay Series Nottingham – 
  Grandstand tickets available
• 10 Jun: ITU World Triathlon Leeds – Grandstand tickets available
• 14 Jul: ITU World Triathlon Hamburg
• 27-29: Jul ITU World Triathlon Mixed Relay Series Edmonton
• 27-29: Jul ITU World Triathlon Edmonton
• 25-26: Aug ITU World Triathlon Montreal
• 12-16: Sep ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Gold Coast