Whilst a number of their rivals will be competing at the first World Triathlon Championship Series event of the year at WTCS Abu Dhabi on Friday, two top American athletes will be racing a little closer to home.

Morgan Pearson and Katie Zaferes, who both represented Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, will be vying for continental titles at the 2024 Americas Triathlon Championships in Miami.

Kicking off their seasons on home soil, both Olympic medalists come into this race as favourites, but won’t have it easy with some strong contenders lining up against them.

Pearson prepares for first test of the season

Despite an inconsistent year in 2023 that was hampered by injuries and illness, Pearson still managed to secure selection to the American team for his second Olympic Games with a fantastic race at the Paris Olympic Test Event.

Earlier this year, the Boulder-based pro also qualified for Team USA for the World Cross Country Championship in Belgrade this month, but decided with his coach that he wouldn’t take up the spot.

One of the dark horses for an individual medal in Paris, Pearson helped Team USA to a mixed team relay podium in Tokyo and will likely be an integral part of the squad’s attempts to challenge the likes of France and Great Britain for gold this summer.

Facing strong domestic challengers in the shape of fellow American Chase McQueen and Chilean Diego Moya, the former Colorado Buffs star will have to be in good form to take home the title.

Zaferes battling for crucial points in Miami

Zaferes, who won the Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo to go with her silver in the Mixed Team Relay, is in a slightly different position to Pearson and has a lot more riding on the race result in Miami.

Not yet qualified for Paris and without the ranking to get on to the WTCS Abu Dhabi start list, the #7 ranked American faces an uphill battle to even get the opportunity to race in the top tier of short course triathlon this season.

Without an opportunity to prove her fitness to the US Olympic team selectors, the former World Champion will likely miss out on a spot on the team, with two slots remaining on the women’s side alongside Taylor Knibb.

A result in Miami then is fundamental to the rest of her season. American Gina Sereno, who is the #6 ranked American, is also racing and will have a target on her back as Zaferes looks to climb the rankings.