Race preview: Challenge Family World Bonus on the line at inaugural Challenge Xiamen

The inaugural Challenge Xiamen this Sunday promises exciting racing featuring a small but competitive professional field with not only victory on the line, but also crucial deciding points for the Challenge Family World Bonus.

The men’s professional field includes Jack Moody (NZL), the current leader of the Challenge Family World Bonus with three wins under his belt already this season, and who is aiming to maintain his top position. Jesper Svensson (SWE), winner of Challenge Almere-Amsterdam and runner-up at Challenge Gunsan-Saemangeum behind Moody, is currently in fourth place in the World Bonus will be looking to move up into the top three. Ognjen Stojanović (SRB), is currently trailing Moody by just 200 points in the World Bonus standings and after racing six Challenge Family events this year, will compete with hopes of taking the top spot.

In the women’s race, Alanis Siffert (SUI), the youngest pro athlete at 22-years-old and current World Bonus leader, brings a season of top finishes. Aurélia Boulanger (FRA), currently second in the World Bonus with three Challenge victories, aims to push for a final win to reclaim the lead. Els Visser (NED), winner of Challenge Wanaka and Challenge Taiwan and third at DATEV Challenge Roth, returns after injury, ready to finish her season on a high and secure a top three World Bonus finish, where she currently sits in fourth. Several other strong contenders will also be on the start line, making for an unpredictable and tightly contested race.

The course is set along the Huandong Romantic Coast at Tong’an Bay, starting with a 1.9km swim in warm, calm waters. The 90km bike and 21.1km run will follow on a dedicated coastal track, designed for speed and personal bests, with its scenic, traffic-free path.

Held on 9-10 November 2024 in southeast China, Challenge Xiamen is the latest addition to the Challenge Family’s middle-distance race series. Athletes will have the opportunity to compete across the middle, Olympic, and sprint distances, as well as a duathlon and an Ultra option that combines the middle and Olympic distances.