This weekend’s BG Triathlon World Cup Beijing is the official test event for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Many countries are using the event for their selection process, and they are watching closely who can perform well on the course. The United States, Canada, Germany, Great Britain and New Zealand are just some of the countries who will pick the top finishing athletes at the event to represent them in the Olympic games.

That means the pressure is on for the athletes from 38 countries as this is very likely the most important race of the year for them. Hunter Kemper for example will battle several other promising Americans for the few slots available on the day. World number one Javier Gomez (ESP) most likely has a different agenda on his mind as he likely wants to show the World and newly crowned World Champion Daniel Unger (GER) that he won’t get beaten twice.

In the women’s race, world champion Vanessa Fernandes (POR) seems the clear favorite to repeat her previous 2 victories in Beijing. Ranked number one in the World she has actually won every race she’s entered since a third place finish in Mooloolaba earlier this year. But don’t count out Australian rival Emma Snowsill who would love nothing more than beating Fernandes this time around. For the American women the question will be who will be able to beat the on form Laura Bennett.

Americans at the start:

Men
- Hunter Kemper
- Andy Potts
- Matt Reed
- Doug Friman
- Brian Fleischmann
- Jarrod Shoemaker

Women
- Laura Bennett
- Sarah Haskins
- Julie Swail
- Becky Lavelle
- Sara McLarty
- Sarah Groff

Canadians at the start:

Men
- Simon Whitfield
- Brent McMahon
- Kyle Jones
- Colin Jenkins
- Paul Tichelaar

Women
- Lauren Groves
- Kirsten Sweetland
- Carolyn Murray
- Kathy Tremblay