Bahrain Victorious 13 Lights It Up Across the Globe

It was another banner weekend for Bahrain Victorious 13, with the squad racking up medals on both sides of the Atlantic.

Let’s start on home turf, where Kat Matthews dominated Ironman 70.3 Swansea. The British star put on a clinic, coming from behind after the swim and tearing through the bike leg to take the lead — and she never looked back. Matthews crossed the line in 4:20:37, a full three minutes ahead of the field and five minutes faster than her winning time in 2022. That’s win number two on the 2025 Ironman Pro Series, and with max points in the bag, she’s looking like a serious contender to defend her series crown.

Over in Canada, Lauren Parker was back to her winning ways. The reigning Paralympic champ from Australia took top honours at the World Triathlon Para Cup in Magog. Parker smashed the bike leg and cruised to her third straight win of the season after earlier victories in Yokohama and Devonport. She’s clearly in top form — and she’s staying in Canada to chase more gold next weekend in Montreal.

Meanwhile, it was silver lining time in Germany, with Cassandre Beaugrand and Vasco Vilaça both grabbing second place finishes at the World Triathlon Championship Series stop in Hamburg.

Beaugrand — the Olympic and world champ — was in the mix from the gun, coming out of the water in third and keeping herself near the front through the bike. When it came to the run, she had the legs to hold off Britain’s Beth Potter, but not quite enough to stop fellow Frenchwoman Leonie Periault from stealing the win. Still, a strong second, and great to see Emma Lombardi back in the top 10, finishing eighth in her first race back from injury.

“I don’t know what happened when Leonie passed me — I just didn’t have another gear,” Beaugrand said afterward. “But I’m happy it was her. My goal was to stay up front and out of trouble, and I’m glad I managed that.”

On the men’s side, it was déjà vu for Vasco Vilaça, who once again finished second to Aussie Matt Hauser, just like last year in Hamburg. Vilaça was right there in the lead pack through the swim and bike, but Hauser’s final kick on the run sealed it. Vilaça gave chase but couldn’t match the pace in the final 800 meters.

“I was feeling good beside him,” said Vilaça. “I thought I’d sprint him at the end, but he had another gear. Still, I’m happy — and still chasing that first win.”