The Quarteira Europe Triathlon Cup in Portugal once again proved to be a key early-season battleground for Europe’s top athletes. In 2026, the race attracted a deep and highly competitive field, setting the tone for the international calendar.

With the WTCS Abu Dhabi round postponed, several World Triathlon stars added Quarteira to their schedule. The race’s high continental qualification factor — offering 300 World Ranking points to the elite winner — only strengthened its appeal.

Ukraine was represented in the elite races by Vitalii Vorontsov and Eva Soroka.

Vorontsov exited the swim 1:23 down on the leaders and found himself in the main chase pack. A strong run performance allowed the Ukrainian to move up through the field and secure 28th place, earning 33 World Ranking points.

Soroka’s race was far more dramatic. After losing 1:40 in the water and being caught in a crash during the bike leg, she showed resilience to fight back on the run. With a strong closing 10 km, she finished 38th, adding 16 points to the World Ranking.

Both athletes will continue their European campaign in Monte Gordo, where they will be joined by junior standout Dana Soroka and Daryna Moskalenko in two weeks’ time.

Junior races: Soroka leads Ukrainian charge

Ukraine was also represented in the junior races by Markiian Harmatii, Dana Soroka and Amina Marchenko, where 400 European Junior Ranking points were at stake — also contributing to the National Federations ranking.

Harmatii exited the water with the chase group but lost contact during the bike leg, eventually finishing 53rd.

In the junior women’s race, the dynamics shifted quickly after the swim, with two leaders holding a narrow advantage of just over ten seconds. Behind them, the chase group was led by Dana Soroka.

Soroka bridged to the leaders on the bike and entered T2 as part of the front group. She went on to finish an impressive 12th, earning 169 points and lifting Ukraine to 10th place in the National Federations ranking.

Marchenko crossed the line in 35th place, marking her third European Cup appearance at junior level.

What’s next

The Ukrainian team will next line up at the Europe Triathlon Cup in Torremolinos (Spain) on April 25, where Fedir Bezlepkin is also set to join the squad.

Earlier in the season, Ivan Shevchenko represented Ukraine at the Africa Cup in Egypt, finishing 43rd.

foto sorokadana_