Data Dive: What were the takeaways from supertri Chicago?

Podium Racing and Crown Racing are locked in a fierce battle at the top, with just a single point separating them after Boston. Podium edged out Crown by 83 to 79 in Chicago, bringing their total points to 165, compared to Crown's 160.

This narrow margin sets the stage for an epic clash in London, where Crown will be eager to close the 5-point gap and reclaim their lead. Despite the minor setback, Crown remains well within striking distance, and with three races still to go, everything is still to play for.

Brownlee Racing had a challenging time in Chicago, particularly on the men’s side. With only 57 points accumulated, 21 came from the men, while the women contributed 36. This imbalance highlights the team's difficulties, particularly in the discipline points, where they have consistently fallen short. Currently sitting last in the discipline points table, Brownlee Racing must reassess their strategies if they hope to make a significant impact for the rest of the series.

Conversely, Stars and Stripes Racing showed a marked improvement, thanks in large part to Vasco Vilaca's stellar performance. Vilaca's contribution of 14 points, a massive jump from the previous week, was pivotal in boosting Stars and Stripes' total to 109 points. This upward trajectory could make them a dark horse in London, especially if Vilaca maintains his form.

Podium Racing continues to dominate in the discipline points category, which has proven to be the decisive factor in their current lead. With 32 discipline points compared to Crown Racing’s 23, Podium's strategic focus on maximizing these opportunities is paying off.

While Crown might lead if only race results were considered, Podium’s discipline points advantage gives them the edge as we head into London.

In the men’s competition, Matt Hauser once again topped the swim leaderboard, continuing his dominance from the previous week. His consistent swim times, especially his top swim of 3:40.61, put him in a commanding position in the chase for the $5,000 prize.

Vasco Vilaca caught everyone's attention with his lightning-fast transition times. Averaging 13 seconds per transition, Vilaca's speed helped him stay ahead of competitors Wilde and Bergere, who averaged 16 seconds. This efficiency in transitions could be a game-changer in the tight races to come.

The women’s race was decided in the final run, where Georgia Taylor-Brown and Cassandre Beaugrand outpaced their competitors by a significant margin. Their 15-second advantage over Spivey and even larger gap over the rest of the field was the difference-maker in the end. Meanwhile, Fullagar, who had been in contention, saw her chances slip away as she lost nearly a minute on the last run.

Beth Potter’s improved performance from an elimination last week to a 6th place finish in Chicago was another highlight. Despite jetting across the Atlantic twice in one week, Potter managed to shake off the fatigue and deliver a strong result. In contrast, Kate Waugh, who had been a podium finisher last week, was eliminated this time around—a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in this high-stakes competition.