Although she\u2019s yet to take a race win in the series, the Californian is always there or thereabouts. And not even Olympic disappointment can dull her effusive sense of ambition. Here, we take a look at her story so far\u2026<\/p>\n
Who is Taylor Spivey? <\/strong><\/h2>\nBeing the daughter of a Californian couple who met when they were competing in an Ironman might suggest that Taylor Spivey\u2019s destiny was cast before she was born. Not a bit of it.<\/p>\n
Her parents both gave up the sport when Spivey Jr was very young and it played no part in her upbringing. Instead, young Taylor represented her country at competitive surf life-saving.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t until the final year of her degree (she was an architecture major) that Spivey took up triathlon, attracted to it while on an overseas field trip in Florence. She was something of an outlier.<\/p>\n
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Taylor Spivey competes at the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Championships (Credit: Steve McCrank\/MediaNews Group\/Torrance Daily Breeze via Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nNot only did most of the American triathletes of this generation have a running background, rather than Spivey\u2019s water-based heritage, but her late arrival in the sport meant she didn\u2019t work her way through the junior ranks. Indeed, she only took part in a single U23 race. Otherwise, it\u2019s been elite racing all the way.<\/p>\n
Since 2016, when she joined the WTS circus, Spivey has been a byword for consistency. Girlfriend to France\u2019s elite tri star, Vincent Luiz<\/a><\/strong>, Spivey\u2019s a frequent top-five finisher<\/a><\/strong>, having twice finished fourth overall in the series. That WTS race win, however, continues to elude her.<\/p>\n - Is the USA set to dominate women\u2019s triathlon scene?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Taylor Spivey ending a consistent WTCS campaign with third overall<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Spivey takes sixth at Leeds WTCS<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Vincent Luis hit by a car at 70.3 Indian Wells<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
What has also eluded her is appearing at the Olympics, having missed out on the third and final berth in the US squad for Tokyo 2020 Olympics<\/a><\/strong>. After Summer Rappaport and Taylor Knibb<\/a><\/strong> bagged the two automatic slots, the one remaining place was down to the selectors\u2019 discretion.<\/p>\nIt was a straight choice between Spivey and Katie Zaferes<\/a><\/strong>. And despite the former being much more in form than the latter, it was Zaferes who got the nod, seemingly based on her historical ability to win medals \u2013 namely, the world title in 2019. Never mind the fact that Spivey was currently the number two-ranked female triathlete on the planet.<\/p>\nHow old is Taylor Spivey? <\/strong><\/h2>\nTaylor Spivey was born on 13 April 1991, making her 30 years of age.<\/p>\n
Taylor Spivey\u2019s career highlights<\/strong><\/h2>\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Taylor Spivey stands on the podium with her bronze medal at the 2021 World Triathlon Championship Finals in Edmonton (Credit: Artur Widak\/NurPhoto)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nSeptember 2016: Baptism of fire<\/strong><\/h3>\nIn her first full WTS season, Spivey achieves her series-best performance in Edmonton, where she finishes in 11th place. However, no fewer than four of her compatriots \u2013 Summer Rappaport, Sarah True, Katie Zaferes and Kirsten Kasper \u2013 make the top six, indicating just how tough it is to be a female American triathlete at Olympic distance.<\/p>\n
June 2017: A silver on her Leeds debut<\/strong><\/h3>\nSpivey registers arguably the biggest win of her career to date when she makes a WTS podium for the first time, thanks to her comfortable second place in Leeds<\/a><\/strong>. Her notable scalps include former world champ Non Stanford, Ashleigh Gentle and Jess Learmonth.<\/p>\nSeptember 2018: World Cup triumph in the Far East<\/strong><\/h3>\nAfter scoring three runners-up spots over the past 18 months of ITU World Cup racing (in Madrid, Miyazaki and Cagliari), Spivey takes her maiden victory in Weihai in China.<\/p>\n
March 2019: Silver in Abu Dhabi sets up the season<\/strong><\/h3>\n ![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Taylor Spivey hurries through transition during the 2019 AJ Bell World Triathlon race in Leeds (Credit: George Wood\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nAfter the 2018 season showed Spivey to be an athlete of metronomic consistency (six top 10 finishes in the WTS series from six attempts), 2019 is the year that she really stepped up to the plate to demand she be taken seriously as a contender.<\/p>\n
Her season gets off to a terrific start with second place in Abu Dhabi in March, followed by more of that trademark consistency: 6th in Bermuda, 4th in Leeds, 6th in Hamburg, 5th in Edmonton and 9th in Lausanne. These results place Spivey fourth overall for the season.<\/p>\n
- WTS Abu Dhabi: 10 things we learnt from the 2019 season opener<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
November 2019: Brilliance in the Balearics<\/strong><\/h3>\nSpivey follows up an impressive 2019 WTS season with victory in the Equalizer and Eliminator race at Super League<\/a><\/strong> Mallorca.<\/p>\n - Super League reveals top earners in 2021 series<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- How to watch Super League Triathlon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- Super League Triathlon announce new team concept<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
- World Triathlon and Super League launch Esports series<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
September 2020: Fourth in the short, sharp title race<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe pandemic dictates that the WTS championship is decided by a single, sprint-distance race in Hamburg.<\/p>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2022\/05\/taylor-spivey-surf-life-saving-b87be71.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C428"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Not only did most of the American triathletes of this generation have a running background, rather than Spivey\u2019s water-based heritage, but her late arrival in the sport meant she didn\u2019t work her way through the junior ranks. Indeed, she only took part in a single U23 race. Otherwise, it\u2019s been elite racing all the way.<\/p>\n
Since 2016, when she joined the WTS circus, Spivey has been a byword for consistency. Girlfriend to France\u2019s elite tri star, Vincent Luiz<\/a><\/strong>, Spivey\u2019s a frequent top-five finisher<\/a><\/strong>, having twice finished fourth overall in the series. That WTS race win, however, continues to elude her.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> What has also eluded her is appearing at the Olympics, having missed out on the third and final berth in the US squad for Tokyo 2020 Olympics<\/a><\/strong>. After Summer Rappaport and Taylor Knibb<\/a><\/strong> bagged the two automatic slots, the one remaining place was down to the selectors\u2019 discretion.<\/p>\n It was a straight choice between Spivey and Katie Zaferes<\/a><\/strong>. And despite the former being much more in form than the latter, it was Zaferes who got the nod, seemingly based on her historical ability to win medals \u2013 namely, the world title in 2019. Never mind the fact that Spivey was currently the number two-ranked female triathlete on the planet.<\/p>\n Taylor Spivey was born on 13 April 1991, making her 30 years of age.<\/p>\n In her first full WTS season, Spivey achieves her series-best performance in Edmonton, where she finishes in 11th place. However, no fewer than four of her compatriots \u2013 Summer Rappaport, Sarah True, Katie Zaferes and Kirsten Kasper \u2013 make the top six, indicating just how tough it is to be a female American triathlete at Olympic distance.<\/p>\n Spivey registers arguably the biggest win of her career to date when she makes a WTS podium for the first time, thanks to her comfortable second place in Leeds<\/a><\/strong>. Her notable scalps include former world champ Non Stanford, Ashleigh Gentle and Jess Learmonth.<\/p>\n After scoring three runners-up spots over the past 18 months of ITU World Cup racing (in Madrid, Miyazaki and Cagliari), Spivey takes her maiden victory in Weihai in China.<\/p>\n After the 2018 season showed Spivey to be an athlete of metronomic consistency (six top 10 finishes in the WTS series from six attempts), 2019 is the year that she really stepped up to the plate to demand she be taken seriously as a contender.<\/p>\n Her season gets off to a terrific start with second place in Abu Dhabi in March, followed by more of that trademark consistency: 6th in Bermuda, 4th in Leeds, 6th in Hamburg, 5th in Edmonton and 9th in Lausanne. These results place Spivey fourth overall for the season.<\/p>\n Spivey follows up an impressive 2019 WTS season with victory in the Equalizer and Eliminator race at Super League<\/a><\/strong> Mallorca.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> The pandemic dictates that the WTS championship is decided by a single, sprint-distance race in Hamburg.<\/p>\nHow old is Taylor Spivey? <\/strong><\/h2>\n
Taylor Spivey\u2019s career highlights<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2022\/05\/taylor-spivey-on-podium-edmonton-d0490ff.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C433"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>September 2016: Baptism of fire<\/strong><\/h3>\n
June 2017: A silver on her Leeds debut<\/strong><\/h3>\n
September 2018: World Cup triumph in the Far East<\/strong><\/h3>\n
March 2019: Silver in Abu Dhabi sets up the season<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2022\/05\/taylor-spivey-at-wtcs-leeds-2019-14c995e.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>November 2019: Brilliance in the Balearics<\/strong><\/h3>\n
September 2020: Fourth in the short, sharp title race<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2022\/05\/taylor-spivey-competing-at-edmonton-06b51bc.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C437"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2022\/05\/taylor-spivey-at-yokohama-2019-4789856.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
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