German Anne Haug, who finished last season as the top ranked athlete in the PTO, broke the news earlier today that she would not be competing at the first T100 Triathlon World Tour event of the year in Miami on Saturday.

Last year’s PTO Tour European Open winner, who was amongst the pre-race favourites for the win this weekend, revealed on Instagram that she had been suffering with health problems in the lead up to the race.

Now, the PTO will be tasked with finding an athlete to fill Haug’s slot and with less than four days until the series gets underway, face a race against time to ensure there are 20 women on the start line in Florida.

Haug hampered by health problems

For 41-year-old Haug, missing the race in Miami puts real pressure on her to show up at the remaining stops in the series, with contracted athletes such as herself required to race six of the eight events in 2024.

This could be particularly problematic if she intends to race the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice later this year, which falls just a week before the Ibiza T100 on September 28-29.

Sharing her disappointment to be missing out on Miami, Haug conceded that sometimes no matter how hard you work, a winter of training can be unravelled by something outside of your control.

“Did all the work over the winter to be ready for the first T100 race in Miami. But sadly life had other plans and I’m suffering health problems which make a start on the weekend impossible. Really hope to be fit and healthy enough to kick off the season in Singapore.”

What does this mean for the race?

The immediate consequence of Haug’s withdrawal from the race on Saturday is that the PTO have to find someone, and find them quickly, who are willing to travel last minute to Miami and lineup to compete.

The implications for the race itself, however, could be a little more interesting. With Haug gone and no Ashleigh Gentle, the race is missing two of the very best runners in middle distance triathlon, which may have a big impact on race dynamics.

With Lucy Charles-Barclay in the field, plus strong swimmers such as Sara Perez Sala, India Lee and Lucy Buckingham, the women’s race could well end up being dominated by the best swim-bikers, with the winner coming from a breakaway group.

Haug’s absence also means that there is one less athlete standing in the way of Charles-Barclay, the next best ranked athlete, who will be gunning for a first ever win over the 100km distance.