Show-stopping triathletes take on sprint race at 2016 Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town

The third stop of the World Triathlon Series is here as star studded start lists of men and women leave Oceania and head to Africa for the 2016 Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town. With less than a month to go in Olympic qualification, the South African city is offering up the first sprint-distance course of the season with a one-lap swim, five-lap bike and two-lap run. The men's race will be headlined Spain's Mario Mola, France's Vincent Luis and Great Britain's Olympic medallist Brownlee brothers, while Vicky Holland and former World Champion Non Stanford start their seasons on the women's side.

Click here for the women's preview

Click here for the men's preview

ABOUT THE RACE:

In 2014, Cape Town became the first African city to organise a World Triathlon Series race. With majestic Table Mountain in the background, the race offers some of the most spectacular views on the Series. In addition to elite racing, the weekend of events will also include mass participation events. Age groupers will have the option to choose between a standard Olympic distance courses or hone their speed skills on a sprint course.

SCHEDULE:

Elite Women

Sunday 24 April - 14:00 UTC/GMT +2 Click here for the time in your area

Elite Men

Sunday 24 April - 16:30 UTC/GMT+2 Click here for the time in your area

WEBSITES:

http://triathlon.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=00aa527d930b75ed31d447d44&id=bfbc13137e&e=0509d8018f

START LISTS:

Click here for the women's start list

Click here for the men's start list

PRIZE MONEY:

$150,000 USD (equal for men & women)

LIVE COVERAGE:

Follow all the events live with timing and text updates, at triathlonlive.tv and on twitter at @triathlonlive.

COURSE PROFILE:

Swim (750m) - The swim comprises of one lap of 750 metres, beginning and ending in North Wharf.

Bike (20km) - The cycle comprises of one lap of 4.8 km followed by four laps of 3.8 kilometres. The cycle will start at Transition 1, which is on North Wharf, in front of the Watershed, V&A Waterfront.

Run (5km) - The run comprises of two laps of 2.3 kilometres ending in a final lap of 400m within the Green Point Athletics Stadium

STORIES TO WATCH FOR:

British streak in Cape Town

Non Stanford and Vicky Holland will start their season in Cape Town. The pair booked their tickets to Brazil last year, which afforded them the opportunity to schedule in some early year training in lieu of racing. Holland won her first WTS race in Cape Town last year, and Stanford has a proven winning record at the sprint distance. Look out for these two on the end of that 5km run come Sunday. Jodie Stimpson, who won in 204, also lines up. Can the British women keep the Cape Town title in their names?

Loaded men's start list

With Mario Mola, Vincent Luis and the Brownlee brothers lining up, nearly all the major hitters are lining up this weekend. With it being Luis' first ITU race of the year and a sprint distance course, all bets are off on who will be on the podium this weekend.

Olympic qualification

With just under a month until Olympic qualification comes to a close, booking tickets to Rio remains a high priority for many athletes. Mexico and South Africa continue to jostle for one more spot on the men's roster, while hot points races remain in tact between several athletes and National Federations. The pressure will be at a maximum in Cape Town.

Hometown Advantage

Down the road from Cape Town, Stellenbosch has become a hot spot for triathlon training among the elites. Included in those that train here are Mari Rabie, Lisa Norden, Jodie Stimpson, Flora Duffy and Crisanto Grajales. Could the proximity to a familiar training ground give them a home court advantage?

PAST CAPE TOWN WINNERS

WOMEN MEN

2015 Vicky Holland (GBR) Alistair Brownlee (GBR)

2014 Jodie Stimpson (GBR) Javier Gomez (ESP)

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only