Katie Zaferes: Background, career highlights, quotes

One of the most consistent finishers in the World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS), the American Katie Zaferes scaled some impressive heights during her 11-year career, becoming both world champion and a double Olympic medallist.

Here’s how she did it…

Who is Katie Zaferes?

Nothing exemplifies slow and steady progress like the World Triathlon Series record of Katie Zaferes.

In 2015, the year in which she really made the triathlon world turn its head, the Maryland native notched up five silvers across the season, earning her fifth place overall in the series.

The following year, she went one better, ending the season just one spot outside the podium places.

Twelve months later, she made the step onto the podium to take overall bronze. In 2018 – you’ve guessed – she improved on that again, once more edging up the final standings by a single place to take series silver.

And then, sure as night follows day, Zaferes finally made that top spot her own the following year.

Patience was clearly a virtue she has in abundance, calmly improving year on year until being crowned queen of the world.

It’s not only in WTS racing that Zaferes has excelled. In 2017, she was one of the USA quartet who took silver at the world mixed relay championships.

Four years on, she and her team-mates took the same medal at the Tokyo Olympics. And that wasn’t all she returned home from Japan with…

Also in her luggage was the bronze medal from the individual race. Further honours include becoming Super League champion in both 2018 and 2019.

One of the most consistent performers on the World Triathlon circuit, Zaferes returned to racing in 2023 after taking a year out to become a mother in 2022, before calling time on her 11-year career in October 2024 at the Toulouse supertri.

How old is Katie Zaferes?

Katie Zaferes was born on June 9 1989, making her 35 years of age.

Katie Zaferes’ career highlights

July 2013: A maiden elite victory

At a World Cup race in the Spanish city of Palamós, Zaferes – then still racing as Katie Hursey, two years ahead of her marriage to fellow triathlete Tommy Zaferes – takes not only the first podium of her elite career but also her first win, thanks in main to posting the day’s fastest bike split.

A second World Cup win in Hungary follows a month later.

August 2014: Her first WTS top 10

Zaferes begins to establish herself on the World Triathlon Series circuit with a seventh-place finish in Stockholm. Seven days later, a second top ten is secured at the Grand Final in Edmonton.

March 2015: A double dose of silver

At the two opening races of the new WTS series – in Abu Dhabi and Auckland – Zaferes claims silver in both, taking impressive scalps like Emma Moffatt, Flora Duffy and Zaferes’ compatriot Sarah True.

August 2015: The world is watching

In what has undeniably been her breakthrough year, Zaferes takes another second place in Stockholm, her fifth of the season after further silvers in Cape Town and London.

Sarah True pips her in the Swedish capital after the unbeatable Gwen Jorgensen has denied Zaferes a debut WTS victory everywhere else.

July 2016: The WTS podium’s top step finally beckons

After a bagful of silvers, that maiden WTS victory eventually arrives in Hamburg where a strong bike leg, on the shorter course, means even Jorgensen’s superior running ability can’t reel in Zaferes before the tape.

Disappointment with 18th place at the Rio Olympics the following month is partly assuaged by fourth place overall in the WTS series. Progress, progress, progress.

July 2017: Team USA takes world silver

Twelve months after that golden moment in Hamburg, Zaferes returns to the German port for more medal success, this time as part of the USA squad at the world mixed relay championships.

September 2017: A series bronze for Zaferes

Having finished fifth and fourth overall in the previous two seasons, second place at the Grand Final in Rotterdam allows Zaferes to finally step onto the series podium alongside champion Flora Duffy and runner-up Ashleigh Gentle.

September 2018: Climbing the ladder to silver

Six WTS podiums – including bronze in this month’s Grand Final on the Gold Coast – means another strong season and further progress for Zaferes as she takes the series silver behind Vicky Holland.

That world title is getting nearer.

September 2019: Finally on top of the world

This season has truly belonged to Zaferes. In the Grand Final in Lausanne, she notches up her fifth WTS victory of the year to be crowned world champion.

It’s a particular plucky way to win in Switzerland, coming little more than a fortnight after a particularly nasty bike crash at the Olympic qualifying event in Tokyo.

July 2021: Double Olympic glory

After a couple of Covid-affected seasons and then tragically losing her father in April – and despite not qualifying for Tokyo on account of that bike crash nearly two years earlier – Zaferes is selected for the USA team at the pandemic-delayed Games.

She repays the selectors’ faith by taking a bronze in the individual event and a silver in the mixed relay. Katie Zaferes is now a double Olympic medallist.

August 2021: Ends the year in the top 10

Takes two fourths in Montreal and Edmonton to finish the year in sixth overall.

February 2022: Baby Zaferes is on the way!

Announces that she’s pregnant with husband Tommy. The pair welcome son Kimble on 7 July 2022.

June 2023: Top WTCS five in Montreal

After returning to WTCS racing in Abu Dhabi in March – where she finished 37th – she quickly climbs back up the rankings (12th in Cagliari plus several podiums at Americas Cups) before taking fifth in Montreal ahead of compatriots Taylor Knibb and Taylor Spivey.

November 2023: Wins a World Cup… but doesn’t

Crosses the line first at the Vina del Mar World Cup, Chile, but is disqualified after accidentally going the wrong way on the run. She definitely came second at her last race, though, World Cup Brasilia in October.

March 2024: Silver in Hong Kong

Starts the Olympic year with a podium at the World Cup Hong Kong. Sadly her next few results on the WTCS circuit aren’t enough to secure her a third Olympic berth, and the USA women’s slots are filled by Taylor Spivey, Taylor Knibb and Kristen Kasper.

September 2024: Announces her retirement from racing

Kate posts on Instagram that the Toulouse supertri at the start of October will be her last race as a pro.

Katie Zaferes in quotes

On her bike crash during the Tokyo Olympic qualifying event in 2019: “It’s not something I ever thought I’d do – crash going straight. I just turned my head to, I think, yell something to the group and my wheel went into the barrier.”

On winning the world title, just a fortnight after sustaining serious facial injuries in that Tokyo crash: “I was really nervous. I was like, ‘am I going to be able to even race?’ But I ended up winning: winning the Grand Final and winning the world championships. I learned then that all was not lost by crashing.”

On announcing her return to racing after giving birth to her first child: “Before Tokyo, I wasn’t sure if I could balance training and racing and being a mum, but I realised I love my job and I didn’t want to give that up before knowing if it was possible.”

On announcing her retirement from pro triathlon: “I’ve now realized I’ve given it my all at this level in my personal endeavor and @supertri_Toulouse on Sunday will be my final race. 

“I’m finding that my heart isn’t in it like it needs to be. There’s a part of me that still wants to love it and wants to want it. However, the most telling part is that I’m ok with the fact that I don’t. Other things are starting to excite me more. While 11 years might seem short to some and long to others, for me it’s perfect.”

What’s next for Katie Zaferes?

Katie announced in November 2024 that she will be joining AUXO Collective – a USA Triathlon training system for up-and-coming US triathletes – as a coach.