The Reason Why Everyone Is Going To Love 2019 Daman World Triathlon!

To say that this year’s edition of the Daman World Triathlon Abu Dhabi 2019 is the strongest is not an exaggeration.

The mammoth sporting event happening on 8^th and 9^th March on Yas Island is the season opener of the much bigger ITU’s Global Triathlon Series.

The number and quality of participants say it all: 112 athletes including nine of the world’s top ten females and the full line-up of men’s top ten athletes.

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Start your engines… or at least your race bikes! 🏎🏎🚴‍♀🚴‍♂ #WTSAbuDhabi IS READY TO RACE! // Tune in to the WTS opener this Friday, March 8 LIVE on the brand new TriathlonLIVE.tv! (Link in bio to subscribe!)
A post shared by World Triathlon (@worldtriathlon) on Mar 6, 2019 at 12:02pm PST

This means that competing athletes are sure to give their all to gain a solid head start among the rest.

Here are the top athletes to watch out for…

Vicky Holland

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The stuff dreams are made of! A home win in the WTS? For real?! • A little bit stunned about this. Not the prettiest way to win a race, certainly not my finest all round performance, but maybe my best ever in terms of digging deep, toughing it out and never giving up. A rollercoaster day with all the emotions to match. DELIGHTED to win on home soil 🥇🇬🇧. Thankyou Leeds and everyone who came to support – you were amazing!! • 📸- @tzaferes , @david_pearce_photographer , @bensnapsstuff . • Ps – how good are my teammates? @georgiatb – sensational all day 🥈(watch this one!) @sophiecoldwell – bike monster out there today @jodiestimpson – also a bike monster who just needs a bit of luck @jllearmonth – brave, committed and mermaid-esque as ever. You ladies rock 👊😘
A post shared by Vicky Holland (@vixholland) on Jun 10, 2018 at 2:54pm PDT

Born in Gloucester, South West of England, Vicky represented Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the women’s triathlon competition. That same year, she became world champion as part of the British Mixed Team relay team.

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So yesterday didn’t quite go to plan! • Pretty disappointed with 11th here in Abu Dhabi – my worst result in several years. As many have said before me in their posts, it was a crazy day with drama at virtually every turn. I count myself as one of the lucky few to have stayed rubber side down and come through unscathed 😅🍀. • I know I had some bad luck being caught up behind a crash at a decisive moment, but even without that I simply didn’t have the legs yesterday and didn’t quite feel myself. Some days you’re the hammer 🔨 and some days you’re the nail, right?!. • Huge congrats to @rachelklamer @jllearmonth and @natalie.vc for racing the conditions brilliantly and coming away with the spoils 🥇🥈🥉🙌👏. • Thanks to @ceramicspeed for the pre-race bike service (including swanky new chain!) and for the pics 📷. • Finally, wishing all those who crashed a speedy recovery – it was horrible seeing so many lying on the ground, being taken off in ambulances 🚑 and generally walking around wounded at the end! 🤕
A post shared by Vicky Holland (@vixholland) on Mar 2, 2018 at 11:17pm PST

It was in 2014 when she bagged her first major individual award – a bronze finish – at the Commonwealth Games. This paved the way for more victories including her first triumph in the World Triathlon Series in 2015. She is currently ranked number one in the

Mario Mola

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¡Buenas noticias! @rokasports ya distribuye en Europa. Ahora puedes usar el mismo material de natación Roka que utilizo para entrenar y competir. Entrega rápida y devoluciones gratuitas. ¡Échale una ojeada en el link de mi bio! / Amazing news! @rokasports has officially launched distribution in Europe. You can now wear the same swim gear I train and race in. Fast shipping (1 business day to most countries in the EU) and free returns, plus pricing in euros. Check them out at the link in my bio! 📸: @thatcameraman
A post shared by Mario Mola Díaz (@mariomola) on Nov 10, 2018 at 5:27am PST

Certainly the athlete to beat in the eyes of most competitors, the Spanish achiever has ruled the ITU World Triathlon Series for three consecutive years: 2016, 2017 and 2018.

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¡Campeón del Mundo por tercera vez! Gracias a todos los que lo habéis hecho posible, va por vosotros. ¡Gracias! / Three times World Champion! Thanks everyone that made it possible, it’s yours as much as mine. Thank you! 📸: @wags.photo & @tzaferes
A post shared by Mario Mola Díaz (@mariomola) on Sep 16, 2018 at 2:22am PDT

Prior to that, he placed second in the same tournament in 2014 and 2015 – talking about inching your way to the top. In 2012, Mario cornered the 19^th spot at the London Olympic Games. Will he win it all again this year?

Katie Zaferes

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Initially when I started riding I didn’t think too much about the why. It was obvious if I wanted to do triathlon I needed to learn how to ride a bike. Now I realize how much riding a bike has developed me as a person. It has forced me to get out of comfort zone and work on my weaknesses. It’s where I’ve felt most proud and had the greatest feelings of accomplishments. It’s because of riding a bike that I’ve put a lot more work into developing my mental strategies and learned to deal with emotions of fear and frustration. Not to mention riding has taken me to some of the most beautiful places locally and globally and introduced me to so many more people! For all these reasons I am excited to be a part of @thespecializedfoundation Riding for Focus. This is a program that goes straight into the schools to get kids on bikes in order to help them focus and get inspired. For me I know riding a bike has made me a better human being not just in sport but in life in general. It’s taught me skills that I can use both on and off the road and I’m so excited to share these experiences with the kids so they can feel all the same feels that I’ve gotten riding a bike. #ridingforfocus #wearespecialized #outrideadhd #morekidsonbikes #tsfambassador #thisisgoingtobeepic
A post shared by Katie Zaferes (@kzaferes6) on Mar 5, 2019 at 9:02am PST

Competing in ITU events since 2013, the 29-year-old American triathlete is currently ranked number two in the women’s category.

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It’s hard to believe that we’re a little over a week from leaving for the races and camp life! We’ve so enjoyed this extra time at home! And though we’ve got many fun and beautiful roads ahead of us, this road happens to be one of our favorites from our time home this winter. #iamspecialized
A post shared by Katie Zaferes (@kzaferes6) on Feb 6, 2019 at 1:23pm PST

Her consistent showing every year since 2014 improved her standing in the tournament; she bagged her first ITU World Triathlon Series win in Hamburg.

But aside from the big names, the Daman World Triathlon Abu Dhabi 2019 will see two UAE athletes competing in the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 participate in the event.

Spectators can enjoy the action at the sidelines as well as the family-friendly entertainment in the Event Village, treats from the food trucks and activities for kids.

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The Event Village is officially open from tomorrow (Thursday)! Check out what's on the schedule: 09.00 – 10.30: National Sports Day for local school children 10.30 – 12.30: Watch the elites as they head off on their bike and swim familiarization 11.30: Event Village and Expo open 12.00 – 18.00: Race kit collection and registration 16.00 – 17.00: Junior race briefing in the Grandstands 17.00 – 18.00: Age Group race briefing in the Grandstands If you are racing on Friday, please note you must collect your race pack and attend your race briefing tomorrow – there is no race pack collection on the day of your race. #WTSAbuDhabi #JoinOurTribe #AbuDhabi #triathlon
A post shared by Daman WorldTriathlon Abu Dhabi (@wtsabudhabi) on Mar 6, 2019 at 9:30am PST