What to Expect at the Opening World Cup Races in Australia

A fresh season of head-to-head battles between the world’s best off-road triathletes kicks off on the fast-running pea gravel trails of Dunsborough, as Australia makes its debut as the opening stop of the XTERRA World Cup from March 27-29.

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One of two new locations added to the series this year, Australia brings an all-new challenge, along with hot, dry conditions that will test the reigning World Champions and proven World Cup race winners making their way over from Europe. Meanwhile, a host of acclimated athletes from Australia and New Zealand will be eager to see how they stack up against some of the world’s best as the season gets started.

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It's a double-feature stop, meaning athletes will go head-to-head in both the Short Track and Full Distance format—each race an opportunity to bank valuable series points and edge their way up the overall standings.

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For those new to the series, here’s everything you need to know. And for those already onboard with the fastest series in multisport, get ready for the fastest start yet, as the World Cup opens with a Short Track race for the very first time.

For the first time in its three-year history, the XTERRA World Cup will open with the fast-paced Short Track format—a race built for speed, strategy, and all-out intensity. It’ll be a definitive end to the off-season for many, but also the perfect way to kick off the series for fans at a venue tailor-made for fast and furious racing. It’s also the first XTERRA Short Track race ever held in the Asia-Pacific region, with plenty of local talent hungry to claim a historic podium finish.

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The invitation-only race consists of a 400m swim, 8K mountain bike, and 3K trail run, each featuring multiple loops designed to keep the action tight and the positions constantly changing right down to the final seconds. The format is an entirely different beast from the Full Distance racing XTERRA is known for, with no time to settle in, no room for mistakes, and no guarantee that a lead will last beyond the next lap. It’s all about explosive power, constant decision-making, and split-second reactions. One misstep, one missed line, or one slow transition could mean the difference between victory and falling out of contention.

Lining up in Australia will be a number of serious contenders who have already proven themselves in the condensed format. Reigning World Champion Solenne Billouin dominated last year, winning all four World Cup Short Track races, while Alizée Paties, Arthur Forissier, and Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen have also tasted victory in the fast format.

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The winners of the men’s and women’s races will each walk away with 75 World Cup points, securing their spot at the top of the leaderboard as the series begins to take shape. The full start list, start times, and race results as they come in on the Australia stop page.

The Full Distance race in Australia consists of a 1.5K ocean swim, 31K mountain bike, and 10K trail run—a course that will push those at the front beyond their redline to stay in contention. With 100 World Cup points on the line, the winners of the men’s and women’s Full Distance races are guaranteed to leave Stop 1 wearing the golden jersey.

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The race begins with a deep-water start in the turquoise waters of Geographe Bay, where athletes will take on a two-loop swim. Swim specialists like Michelle Bonacina and Aneta Grabmüller will look to capitalise on their strongest discipline here, setting the pace early and forcing the chasers to work from behind.

Onto two wheels, and the real battle begins. Making up nearly 70+% of the race distance, the 31K mountain bike course gives strong riders plenty of opportunity to take control. Two athletes to watch will be Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen and Aussie rider Ben Forbes. Sloth Nielsen has already cemented himself as the best rider in off-road triathlon, twice finishing second in the World Cup overall. Forbes, still relatively new to the sport, brings a strong MTB background and home-country advantage, which could make for the battle to watch on the fast and loose trails of Meelup Regional Park.

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The final 10K trail run on a mix of sand, dirt, and rock-strewn trails is where the top runners will make their move, while those in front will fight to hold on. Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen has made big strides in improving his run speed in recent months, while the top four ranked women could find themselves in a footrace to the finish—setting up a massive final battle to cap off Australia’s World Cup debut.

Unlike Short Track, the Full Distance format allows room for comebacks, strategy, and patience. This is off-road triathlon in its purest form, where strategy and stamina will decide who takes the tape after 2.5 to 3 hours of racing. Start times for the men’s and women’s elite waves are available on the series page.

Solenne Billouin, FRA

Coming off a big training camp in Australia, reigning World Champion and 2024 World Cup winner Solenne Billouin is primed to open her title defense in dominant fashion. With her ability to adapt to any terrain and a race-smart approach that keeps her in contention across all disciplines, she will be the name to beat in Dunsborough. 

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Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen, DNK

A specialist rider now armed with an equally dangerous run, Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen is heading into 2025 with one goal: more wins. Taking his first Full Distance World Cup win last year and twice finishing 2nd in the overall, the Dane has proven why he belongs amongst the best. Australia’s fast-paced pea gravel trails could suit him better than most, and if he can break away on the bike and hold strong on the run, he will be a serious contender for the golden jersey after Stop 1.

“I’ve heard a lot of good about the MTB trails around Aus. The more technical, the better for me and I’m up to have a new fastest bike split.”

Alizée Paties, FRA

The 2023 World Cup winner knows what it takes to be consistent across an entire season, and a strong opening result in Australia could set the tone for another title campaign. With no major weaknesses across swim, bike, or run, Paties is one of the most well-rounded athletes in the field—an advantage that could pay off on a course that demands both speed and efficiency. If she finds herself near the front coming off the bike, expect her to push hard for the win.

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Arthur Forissier, FRA

A proven World Cup race winner and Short Track specialist, Arthur Forissier has the technical skills and race instincts to finish top on Australia’s tight, fast-paced circuit. Known for his ability to make aggressive moves on the bike and run, he’ll be one to watch in both race formats. If he plays his cards right across both races, he could leave the rest of the field playing catch up in the stops to come. 

“You can’t win the series in the first race, but you can definitely make your life harder if you start slow.”

Aneta Grabmüller, CZE

One of the strongest swimmers in the pro series, Aneta Grabmüller will look to break away early in Geographe Bay and put pressure on the chasers. With a history of leading out of the water and holding off attacks on the bike, she has the potential to dictate the pace in Australia. If she can extend her lead on the opening leg and manage the technical demands of the bike course, she could find herself in podium contention by the final run.

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Kieran McPherson, NZL

A hard-charging Kiwi with an aggressive racing style, reigning APAC Men’s Champion Kieran McPherson will look to carry his regional dominance onto the World Cup stage. With a strong bike leg and an ability to push hard through tough terrain, he could be a serious wildcard in Dunsborough. If he can capitalise on the bike and stay near the leaders, he could make a statement in the season opener with a place on the podium in both races.

“XTERRA Short Track is always exciting, and even more so now that it is our season opener. Dunsborough will be a new location and course for most so anything is possible.”

Hannah-Lee Young, AUS

The reigning APAC Women’s Champion has already proven herself against the best in her region, and has now set her goals on becoming the first Aussie woman to crack the overall top 10. Thriving on tough courses, Young will look to use her home-course advantage to push for a breakout performance. She’ll have the home crowd behind her all the way in both formats as she looks to take a big step towards her season goal.

“If stoked was on a scale of 1 to out of this world I am out of this world excited!”

Ben Forbes, Aus

An Aussie MTB specialist with one of the strongest bike legs in the field, Forbes will be racing on home soil with something to prove. After a stellar Worlds performance was cut short by an unfortunate DSQ, he will be hungry to bounce back in front of the Australian crowd. If he can stay within reach on the swim, his power on the bike could give him the platform to chase a podium—or even an upset victory—on a course that plays to his strengths.

“Racing in front of Aussies on Aussie terrain is going to add to my big list of reasons to empty the tank on race day.”

Elizabeth Orchard, NZL

A past winner on this course in Australia, Elizabeth Orchard will start with the confidence of having already conquered the trails of Meelup Regional Park. Knowing how to handle the course’s fast sections and technical elements could give her an edge against some of the World Cup’s biggest names taking it on for the first time. 

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Michele Bonacina, ITA

A swim specialist with an increasingly strong bike leg, Michele Bonacina will aim to lead out of the water and control the pace early. With a front-loaded racing style, he thrives in situations where he can put pressure on the field right from the start. If he exits the swim with a gap and holds strong through the technical sections on the bike, he will be a serious contender in both Short Track and Full Distance racing in Australia.

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Tom Fisher, AUS

A strong all-rounder with home-country advantage, Tom Fisher will be looking to make waves in the season opener against the World Cup’s best. With experience racing on this terrain, expect him to race aggressively and leave everything out on the trails as he kicks off his World Cup campaign in front of a home crowd.

The World Cup series page is the go-to hub for all things World Cup. Check in during race week for top contenders, wildcards to watch, and start lists, with results and race media shared in the hours and days that follow. XTERRA’s regional Instagram accounts will have plenty of exclusive content, with XTERRA Asia-Pacific bringing behind-the-scenes access and between-the-tape coverage from the series opener in Australia.