Alex Yee might have the wood on Hayden Wilde but Hayden Wilde at least has the latest piece of silverware to savour in their era-defining rivalry.
A second supertri title in three years – complete with the winner’s US$80,000 bonus – was ample compensation for the Kiwi No.1 after another close loss to his Great British rival in Sunday’s (early Monday NZT) season finale in Saudi Arabia.
Yee outkicked Wilde and Léo Bergere in the home straight of an epic NEOM decider but a podium finish – in this case 2nd – was all Wilde needed to claim the title from Bergere (Podium Racing) and American Tim Hellwig (Stars & Stripes).
Combined with Georgia Taylor-Brown’s overall women’s victory, Wilde’s Crown Racing also captured the US$375,000 teams title.
Sunday’s finish was reminiscent of the Yee-Wilde one-two in supertri Boston earlier in the season, thankfully minus Yee’s boastful pose at the tape.
It meant their 2024 head-to-heads ended in Yee’s favour, the Paris Olympics, supertri Boston, WTCS Weihai and supertri NEOM to Wilde’s supertri Chicago, supertri London and WTCS Torremolinos.
Wilde, who uniquely ran one leg in his bike helmet, admitted relief afterwards, and also doffed his cap to Vincent Luis who signed off his stellar short course career in the wind-swept desert.
“Last time I won the series all I could do was 7th [at the finale] so having to get a podium was pretty nerve-wracking,” Wilde said.
“Léo [Bergere] was the closest in the series and was a really big threat throughout the whole series, as well Tim Hellwig on his debut. Congratulations to Vincent [Luis] on his fantastic career as well.”
For his part, Yee was happy to make his fans back in the UK “smile” once more.
“It’s what people want and I’m glad we put on a show for them,” said Yee.
“I’m glad to be a part of it as these guys have been putting on a show for the last few races and I haven’t been there. I came here with no expectations, and I just wanted to have fun and to make the people back home smile and maybe take part themselves.
“I’m loving been back racing and the simplicity of what the sport is all about.”
Wilde now switches focus to the December 14-15 Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Taupo. He’ll warm up for the step up in distance at the Launga Phuket and Tinman Triathlon’s, the latter on November 24 part of the Tri NZ Suzuki Series and incorporating the NZ Age Group Standard Distance Championships.
