Tongyeong hosts last World Cup sprint race

For the eleventh time in ITU history, the World Cup circuit returns to South Korea to host the 2016 Tongyeong ITU World Cup. Since the debut race in 2003, Tongyeong has become one of the pivotal events on the World Cup calendar and this year is no different as it will serve as the last sprint distance race of the season. For one final time in 2016, athletes will compete in a one-lap 750 metre swim, three-lap 20 kilometre bike and two-lap 5 kilometre run.

Women’s Preview The women’s start list contains a lot of athletes that have had breakthrough performances this year, including Japan’s Ai Ueda who will be sporting the number one position this weekend. Her strongest performance of 2016 came in her home country of Japan when she ran her way into the bronze medal at the World Triathlon Series Yokohama, a result that aided in giving her the third place spot in the overall ITU rankings for the WTS. In 2014 Ueda earned the silver medal in Tongyeong, and since this weekend will be her first World Cup race since competing in Mooloolaba back in March it will be the perfect opportunity to get back on the podium.

Ueda’s Japanese compatriot Yuka Sato is another leading contender heading into Saturday. She returns as the reigning Tongyeong champion, after she scored her first World Cup victory at this event last year. The Rio Olympian has been making a name for herself as one of Japan’s top competitors, so reclaiming her Tongyeong title would also be a great chance to snag her first World Cup medal of the year.

Another breakout star of the year that will be racing this Sunday is USA’s Summer Cook. It is no secret that the United States …

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