The Olympics will undoubtedly be the highlight of the year with many HUUB athletes taking the trip over to Tokyo. The qualification period for the Olympic games finishes in May 2020 after Yokohama WTS meaning it is still all to play for in terms of qualification. The first three WTS races, Abu Dhabi, Bermuda and Yokohama, will be pivotal for those seeking selection so we can expect some intense racing in the early part of the year.

As 2019 comes to a close, we take a look at the best moments from the last year...

HUUB’s Jessica Learmonth (GBR), Georgia Taylor-Brown (GBR) and Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) soared to ITU Grand Final success over the weekend in Lausanne, Switzerland. For Blummenfelt it was his first WTS win after a string of podium placings over the last few seasons.

Ahead of the ITU World Triathlon Olympic Qualification Event in Tokyo, HUUB’s David Bishop talks about how Brits qualify, who is racing, and current uncertainty about the swim.

Jonny Brownlee (GBR) delivered a commanding victory on the streets of Edmonton over the weekend, overturning the run of bad luck that has plagued his 2019 season. The double Olympic medallist showed why he is labelled as one of the all-time greats of the sport and certainly an athlete that will contend the medals come Tokyo.

There was double success for Brownlee alongside HUUB's Gordon Benson and Sophie Coldwell, as they and India Lee claimed 2nd in the mixed relay event for Team GB.

We will see a new winner in the elite women's race, with Katie Zaferes (4 wins), HUUB's Georgia Taylor-Brown (Leeds), and Non Stanford (Hamburg) all absent. The start list includes only two of the current top-10 ranked women.

The elite men's race looks stronger with the top five, Vincent Luis (FRA), Javier Gomez (ESP), Fernando Alarza (ESP), Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) and Mario Mola (ESP) all racing.

HUUB athletes shine in Montreal. Georgia Taylor-Brown (GBR) and Jessica Learmonth (GBR) claim successive podiums in the World Triathlon Series, cementing their 2nd and 3rd places in the World rankings. In the men's race Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) gets back in the top five after a difficult start to 2019. Meanwhile, in the World Paratriathlon Series, Jetze Plat (NED) dominated the PTWC men's race and George Peasgood (GBR) and Jade Jones-Hall (GBR) both claim bronze medals to stake a claim on their spots for Tokyo 2020.

This weekend sees the World Triathlon Series touch down in Montreal for the fifth round of the 2019 series. Katie Zaferes (USA) leads the women's rankings at the moment while Vincent Luis (FRA) is the men's series leader. The next round of the World Paratriathlon Series will also take place, and this is the first ranking event for Tokyo Paralympic qualification.

In 2018 the elite races were contested over the Olympic distance, but this year the format has been changed to a sprint, featuring a more technical and challenging bike course as well a four-lap run which has a good chance of altering how the races will unfold.