Eight years after its inception, Bahrain Endurance 13 has confirmed two British athletes will debut in the team’s ‘racing red’ for 2022.
Tokyo Olympic dual medallist and 2020 World Triathlon World Champion Georgia Taylor-Brown, and IRONMAN champion and British record holder Joe Skipper have both been confirmed as team members. According to Bahrain Endurance 13… ‘Their selection reflects the team’s aim to excel across all triathlon distances.’
Taylor-Brown said “I’m very excited to join the Bahrain Endurance 13 team. This is a group of absolute legends, and I feel honoured and very privileged to be part of that team.
“Winning the silver medal in Tokyo was a massive success and a childhood dream but I’ve still got more to do in triathlon; I’m not finished. And I believe Bahrain Endurance can help me achieve my goals in the years to come. I’m also super excited to head to the Kingdom of Bahrain and get involved in the sports programs taking place there.”
Joe Skipper said “I’m really pleased to be a part of Bahrain Endurance 13. It’s great to have their support as I go into a year with two IRONMAN World Championships and two PTO Tour events.”
Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) will chase both short- and long-course ambitions in 2022 after a banner year winning Olympic gold, a world championship, and an IRONMAN in record time.
Aside from World Triathlon and Super League Triathlon (SLT), Blummenfelt has the IRONMAN World Championship in his sights as well as the Pho3nix Sub7 Project, in which he will face off against teammate Alistair Brownlee (GBR) in the attempt to complete a full distance triathlon in under 7 hours.
The two return alongside multiple IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 world champions Jan Frodeno (GER) and Daniela Ryf (SUI), Paralympic silver medallist and IRONMAN 70.3 world champion Lauren Parker (AUS), and IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Holly Lawrence (GBR).
IRONMAN champion and multiple podium finisher David Plese (SLO) remains the team’s strongest link to Bahrain, based in Manama and racing long distance events worldwide.
Rounding out the roster of 13, Cassandre Beaugrand (FRA) and Tyler Mislawchuk (CAN) will specialise in World Triathlon and SLT racing, while Vincent Luis (FRA) and Henri Schoeman (RSA) will include some IRONMAN 70.3 racing in their schedules.
The Bahrain Endurance 13 notes that it… ‘counts among its members some of the world’s best athletes not just in triathlon, but in world sport. A pioneering vision unparalleled in endurance racing, since 2015 the team has won 80% of all starts combined to take 24 world titles, two Olympic medals, and one Paralympic medal.’
‘The team also looks to grow active lifestyle participation in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The team’s annual visits to race as well as conduct school visits and training camps have inspired and further developed a culture of sport for the people of the Kingdom. After a few years of disruption, the team and its members look forward to coming together again with Bahrain’s sports community.’
