The 28-year-old’s silver medal-winning performance in front of a home crowd in Sarasota earlier this month earned her a first career World Cup medal.

She is now vying for further success in Tongyeong, which plays host to the 13^th stop of the 2017 tour.

The city, famous for its stunning harbour, will provide athletes with the bulk of the course for a frantic sprint-distance race.

"My running background has been reaping some good splits, but I’m focusing on my swims to give me a better start," Sodaro said. 

"I’m fortunate to be working with one of the best coaches in the world [Paulo Sousa] and to be surrounded by great women athletes, and now I just want to end my first season on a high.

"I’m used to the hills with my training in San Diego, so I think the Tongyeong course will suit me."

Japan’s Juri Ide won in Sarasota thanks to a brilliant run and she could be a strong contender for victory in Tongyeong, along with compatriot Yuko Takahashi, who came fourth in Spanish city Huelva last month, if they emerge within range from the swim.

Injury has blighted much of fellow countrywoman Ai Ueda’s 2017 campaign and tomorrow looks like it could prove difficult after her long journey back to full fitness.

Pushing the expected front runners hard will almost certainly be the US’ Summer Cook, the winner in Mexican state Yucatán in August and one of the best runners in the circuit.

Fellow American Taylor Spivey will be out to take the tape after back-to-back silver medals in Europe in the middle of the season.

Australia’s Emma Jackson, meanwhile, looked close to her best last month as she finished second in Chinese city Weihai and the home fans could have plenty to cheer if Kim Gyuri can improve on her 29th-place finish in Tongyeong last year.

In the men’s event, 2016 winner Uxio Abuin Ares will be hoping to continue his now customary strong end to the season after securing podium places in Weihai and Huelva.

"I feel in good shape right now, but I have done all year really," the Spaniard said.

"Maybe I got a bit unlucky earlier in the season but the podium finish in Huelva was a real confidence boost. 

"The Spanish team is so strong right now, getting these points is really important. 

"I like the Tongyeong course and I have good memories here, and I expect a similar race to last year."

Belgium’s Marten Van Riel is also ending 2017 strongly with a runners-up spot in Sarasota.

Abuin Ares’ training partner Rodrigo Gonzalez, of Mexico, beat Van Riel to the post on that occasion and conditions on the Korean coast look like they may well suit him once again.

South Korea and Japan will be well represented and both teams may well look to use their collective strength in the pursuit of medals.

Japan’s Jumpei Furuya, 11th in Weihai, arguably has the best chance of breaking into the top 10.

Part of the ITU calendar since 2003, Tongyeong hosted the first ITU World Triathlon Series event back in 2009.

Tomorrow’s action will see 70 men and 49 women undertake a course featuring a 750 metres swim, 20 kilometres cycle and 5km run. 

The event will be followed by a World Cup in Salinas in Ecuador on Sunday (October 29).

The season is due to reach its climax next Saturday (November 4) in Japanese city Miyazaki.