Austen Smith reporting on Challenge Sir Bani Yas 2026.

Challenge Sir Bani Yas returned this year with cooler weather, calmer water, a modified bike course and an “Oasis”, more on that later.

This year the cruise ship showed up, eventually. Which, considering the logistical nightmare of getting on and off the island as well as getting to the race village is probably the better choice.

Having raced the middle-distance last year, I possibly had an advantage. The swim course layout was the same with separate entry and exit but longer run to T1. This year I went with Precision Hydration as my fuel…