Hayden Wilde finally hit gold in Abu Dhabi on his sixth attempt, racing away to victory in the World Triathlon Championship Series opener at Hudayriyat Island on Saturday.
The New Zealander kicked off the final stretch of the run to win in 48 minutes and 21 seconds, snatching first place from Australian Matthew Hauser who was two seconds behind in second, and Portuguese Vasco Vilaca 18 seconds further down in third.
Wilde spent a month preparing at Hudayriyat Island, which he considers his second home away from his native town Taupo in north New Zealand.
“It’s my second home, I've been here for about four weeks, and you know they just welcomed me in with open arms and I've just been loving it here,” Wilde said of his first win in Abu Dhabi.
“I got a breakaway with one of my mates again and didn't really stick but we had some fun out there,” the Olympic double medallist said of his tussle with Hauser.
“I've raced Matt over the 5k many times and I saw his coach and he was like one more push and I'm like, I know for sure he's got one more push, so I just had to hold the pace and he was coming hot and I was just happy to hold on.
“I don't know how many of these World Series I'll do, but it's nice to be back and getting a win here for the first time.”
Hauser acknowledged that he 'just couldn’t hold on' at the end when Wilde launched for the final stretch.
“It's always tough getting second and it's tough to follow, especially when you're there the whole way,” he added.
“I felt really good out of the swim and felt really good on my bike, a new bike from Specialized, which was really nice around those corners and held its speed. But yeah, just couldn't hold on in the end.”
The 2020 World Championship silver medallist Vilaca joined them on the podium. The Portuguese took a lot of positives from the opening race of the world series.
“I'm very happy with the third place, first race of the season, very early, so I think it's a great start to the season,” he said.
“I'm quite happy to give it a go with these guys again. They really made me suffer today. I think the legs have woken up and we're ready to get into 2025.
“This new course, of course. The F1 course (Yas Marina in the previous years) is kind of legendary, but this track, I mean this whole island they've just finished building is amazing.”
Lisa Tertsch led a top three finish for Germany in the elite women’s race. The Olympic gold medallist in the mixed relay in Paris pipped her compatriots Nina Eim and Laura Lindemann in a sprint to the finishing line.
Leonie Periault of France, who stayed on with the leading group of four, just didn’t have the legs in the end.
“I'm happy with my execution (of the swim, cycling and run) but also I prepared really well, so, I just executed what I prepared for,” Tertsch said after completing the race in 54 minutes and 28 seconds.
“It was a cat and mouse game over the last lap but that's why it's racing, and everyone has to play their cards and go with what they're good at. I knew what I wanted to do in the end and so I went with my plan,” the 26-year-old Harvard graduate in economics said.
Eim finished second, just two seconds behind for her first podium of the World Series.
“It was a big goal for me to get on the podium one day and now I already achieved it in the first race of the season,” Eim said.
“I couldn't expect a better start to the season. I told myself the whole time, 'you can do this, you can do this, you want to get a podium', and the last km was really, really hard. I gave everything I had and I'm so happy that I got second.”
Results
Elite Men:
1. Hayden Wilde (NZL) 48min 21sec
2. Matthew Hauser (AUS) +00.02
3. Vasco Vilaca (POR) +00.18
4. Adrien Briffod (SUI) +00.34
5. Henry Graf (GER) +00.34
Elite Women:
1. Lisa Tertsch (GER) 54.28
2. Nin Eim (GER) +00.02
3. Laura Lindemann (GER) +00.03
4. Leonie Periault (FRA) +00.07
5. Tanja Neubert (GER) +00.18
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
The specs
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Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
French Touch
Carla Bruni
(Verve)
The bio
Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales
Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow
Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades
Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus
Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga
Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez
