The Collins Cup, featuring 12 triathletes from each of Europe, USA and the Rest of the World, is a head-to-head-to-head format based on golf’s successful Ryder Cup and offers the largest collective prize purse in the sport’s history.
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The race in Samorin is the brainchild and first event of the revamped Professional Triathletes Organisation that has benefited from a multi-million dollar investment led by billionaire Michael Moritz, the British-born venture capitalist who made his fortune in Silicon Valley. It will take place over a middle-distance course of a 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21.1km run, with each team – comprising six men and six women – competing in 12 ‘matchplay’ contests where groups of three triathletes set off at 10min intervals. Points will be awarded for finishing places and time gaps in the individual battles, with the region accruing the most points deemed the winners.
The leading four men and women for each team are selected from the existing PTO rankings on May 4, with the remaining slots given to ‘wildcard’ captains picks. The best non-drafting triathletes in the sport, including Jan Frodeno and Daniela Ryf, are expected to be involved with the promised $2million remuneration being paid in appearance fees, not prize money.
Indeed, it would be a major surprise if any of the top-rated Ironman triathletes were absent, because a condition of Moritz’s investment, through his dedicated Crankstart Investments, was that the top ranked professionals all had to sign up for PTO membership. To date, over 100 have signed up, including all the top 35 men and women. The only exceptions for a starting berth could be the likes of Alistair Brownlee and Spain’s Javier Gomez, who have announced Olympic ambition, and the Collins Cup clashes with the height of the ITU season.
The competition’s broadcast will be funded by the PTO, as it hopes to stimulate more interest for long-course racing beyond hardcore fans, but it’s yet to announce where it will be streamed. It’s scheduled to take place the day before the Challenge Championship (May 31), an individual pro and age-group competition that has been running at the venue for the past three years, with the women’s race won by Britain’s Lucy Charles-Barclay on each occasion. While the PTO rankings were not publicly available at time of writing, it’s expected Charles-Barclay would be an automatic qualifier for the European team.
Aligned with the tradition of the Ryder Cup, the team captains are also famous faces from the world of triathlon, including four-time Ironman world champion Chrissie Wellington for Europe and six-time Kona winner Mark Allen for the USA.
The Collins Cup, named after Ironman’s founders John and Judy Collins, was originally mooted four years ago and after being originally planned to be hosted alongside Challenge Roth in Germany has had a series of false starts. Now the investment from Moritz has allowed that ambition to be realised, with the PTO having a 10-strong athlete board and triathletes benefitting from 50 per cent of any profits.
“The PTO has been working for a number of years to create an environment and structure where professional triathletes have a meaningful voice in the way the sport is operated and can contribute to its growth for the benefit of the entire triathlon community,” its chairman Charles Adamo says. “We are very pleased to have teamed up with Crankstart Investments and Michael Moritz, who share our vision in the potential of the sport and the best means by which to see it grow and thrive.”
“We could not be more thrilled with the first Collins Cup being hosted at x-bionic sphere in Samorin,” Tim O’Donnell, co-president of the PTO and last year’s Ironman world championship runner-up, says. “The primary mission of the PTO is to celebrate the sport of triathlon.
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“The Collins Cup, by bringing together legendary team captains to lead today’s top triathletes in a battle to see which region dominates the sport of triathlon, will not only be a riveting competition, but will serve as a platform for professionals and fans alike to celebrate our sport.”
The Collins Cup, featuring 12 triathletes from each of Europe, USA and the Rest of the World, is a head-to-head-to-head format based on golf’s successful Ryder Cup and offers the largest collective prize purse in the sport’s history.
Advertisement
The race in Samorin is the brainchild and first event of the revamped Professional Triathletes Organisation that has benefited from a multi-million dollar investment led by billionaire Michael Moritz, the British-born venture capitalist who made his fortune in Silicon Valley. It will take place over a middle-distance course of a 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21.1km run, with each team – comprising six men and six women – competing in 12 ‘matchplay’ contests where groups of three triathletes set off at 10min intervals. Points will be awarded for finishing places and time gaps in the individual battles, with the region accruing the most points deemed the winners.
The leading four men and women for each team are selected from the existing PTO rankings on May 4, with the remaining slots given to ‘wildcard’ captains picks. The best non-drafting triathletes in the sport, including Jan Frodeno and Daniela Ryf, are expected to be involved with the promised $2million remuneration being paid in appearance fees, not prize money.
Indeed, it would be a major surprise if any of the top-rated Ironman triathletes were absent, because a condition of Moritz’s investment, through his dedicated Crankstart Investments, was that the top ranked professionals all had to sign up for PTO membership. To date, over 100 have signed up, including all the top 35 men and women. The only exceptions for a starting berth could be the likes of Alistair Brownlee and Spain’s Javier Gomez, who have announced Olympic ambition, and the Collins Cup clashes with the height of the ITU season.
The competition’s broadcast will be funded by the PTO, as it hopes to stimulate more interest for long-course racing beyond hardcore fans, but it’s yet to announce where it will be streamed. It’s scheduled to take place the day before the Challenge Championship (May 31), an individual pro and age-group competition that has been running at the venue for the past three years, with the women’s race won by Britain’s Lucy Charles-Barclay on each occasion. While the PTO rankings were not publicly available at time of writing, it’s expected Charles-Barclay would be an automatic qualifier for the European team.
Aligned with the tradition of the Ryder Cup, the team captains are also famous faces from the world of triathlon, including four-time Ironman world champion Chrissie Wellington for Europe and six-time Kona winner Mark Allen for the USA.
The Collins Cup, named after Ironman’s founders John and Judy Collins, was originally mooted four years ago and after being originally planned to be hosted alongside Challenge Roth in Germany has had a series of false starts. Now the investment from Moritz has allowed that ambition to be realised, with the PTO having a 10-strong athlete board and triathletes benefitting from 50 per cent of any profits.
“The PTO has been working for a number of years to create an environment and structure where professional triathletes have a meaningful voice in the way the sport is operated and can contribute to its growth for the benefit of the entire triathlon community,” its chairman Charles Adamo says. “We are very pleased to have teamed up with Crankstart Investments and Michael Moritz, who share our vision in the potential of the sport and the best means by which to see it grow and thrive.”
“We could not be more thrilled with the first Collins Cup being hosted at x-bionic sphere in Samorin,” Tim O’Donnell, co-president of the PTO and last year’s Ironman world championship runner-up, says. “The primary mission of the PTO is to celebrate the sport of triathlon.
Advertisement
“The Collins Cup, by bringing together legendary team captains to lead today’s top triathletes in a battle to see which region dominates the sport of triathlon, will not only be a riveting competition, but will serve as a platform for professionals and fans alike to celebrate our sport.”
Run shoe technology has improved considerably over the last decade and the new technology has caused much debate on fairness in competitive running. Tim Heming even took the subject up in this month’s 220.
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To clarify the situation before Tokyo and ensure all athletes have a level paying field, World Athletics have now announced that they have amended the rules governing competition running shoes. The amended rule now states:
“From 30 April 2020, any shoe must have been available for purchase by any athlete on the open retail market (online or in store) for a period of four months before it can be used in competition.
“If a shoe is not openly available to all then it will be deemed a prototype and use of it in competition will not be permitted.”
Shoes must also have a sole no thicker than 40mm and must not contain more than one rigid embedded plate or blade. (Read full rules here)
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: “It is not our job to regulate the entire sports shoe market but it is our duty to preserve the integrity of elite competition by ensuring that the shoes worn by elite athletes in competition do not offer any unfair assistance or advantage. As we enter the Olympic year, we don’t believe we can rule out shoes that have been generally available for a considerable period of time, but we can draw a line by prohibiting the use of shoes that go further than what is currently on the market while we investigate further.
“I believe these new rules strike the right balance by offering certainty to athletes and manufacturers as they prepare for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, while addressing the concerns that have been raised about shoe technology. If further evidence becomes available that indicates we need to tighten up these rules, we reserve the right to do that to protect our sport.”
Run shoe technology has improved considerably over the last decade and the new technology has caused much debate on fairness in competitive running. Tim Heming even took the subject up in this month’s 220.
Advertisement
To clarify the situation before Tokyo and ensure all athletes have a level paying field, World Athletics have now announced that they have amended the rules governing competition running shoes. The amended rule now states:
“From 30 April 2020, any shoe must have been available for purchase by any athlete on the open retail market (online or in store) for a period of four months before it can be used in competition.
“If a shoe is not openly available to all then it will be deemed a prototype and use of it in competition will not be permitted.”
Shoes must also have a sole no thicker than 40mm and must not contain more than one rigid embedded plate or blade. (Read full rules here)
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: “It is not our job to regulate the entire sports shoe market but it is our duty to preserve the integrity of elite competition by ensuring that the shoes worn by elite athletes in competition do not offer any unfair assistance or advantage. As we enter the Olympic year, we don’t believe we can rule out shoes that have been generally available for a considerable period of time, but we can draw a line by prohibiting the use of shoes that go further than what is currently on the market while we investigate further.
“I believe these new rules strike the right balance by offering certainty to athletes and manufacturers as they prepare for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, while addressing the concerns that have been raised about shoe technology. If further evidence becomes available that indicates we need to tighten up these rules, we reserve the right to do that to protect our sport.”
The 40th edition of the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon has added an aquathlon event for the first time in its history for 2020.
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The swim/run Escape Aquathlon event will be held on Saturday 6 June at 7am, the day before the legendary Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco, California.
Similar to the triathlon’s genuinely-iconic start, the aquathlon will see athletes jump from the Hornblower’s San Francisco Spirit Yacht to begin their 750m swim (the triathlon is a 2.4km swim), before exiting the water at the St. Francis Yacht Club and running to transition at Little Marina Green. They’ll then be tasked with swapping their wetsuits for running shoes and facing a 5km run along the San Francisco Bay Trail, heading west towards Crissy Field and looping back at the Warming Hut to finish their Escape Aquathlon at Marina Green.
The race organisers, IMG, believe that the new swim/run short-course race is designed to provide “more athletes with an opportunity to experience the thrill of the famous Alcatraz Triathlon and add a new challenge for those looking to test themselves ahead of the triathlon.”
The triathlon was first hosted in 1981 as a private club event for Oakes’ Dolphin Club in San Francisco Bay and has since welcomed tri superstars Greg Welch, Paula Newby-Fraser, Simon Lessing, Leanda Cave and Javier Gómez to its sell out field of pro and age-group athletes. the triathlon involves a 2.4km swim, 29km bike to Golden Gate Park and a 12.8km run that includes the infamous Sand Ladder.
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Aquathlon registration for age-groupers will open on Tuesday 18 February at 5pm UK time. The registration fee will start at $295 per person and is limited to 400 athletes. Head to www.escapealcatraztri.com/aquathlon for more.
The 40th edition of the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon has added an aquathlon event for the first time in its history for 2020.
Advertisement
The swim/run Escape Aquathlon event will be held on Saturday 6 June at 7am, the day before the legendary Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco, California.
Similar to the triathlon’s genuinely-iconic start, the aquathlon will see athletes jump from the Hornblower’s San Francisco Spirit Yacht to begin their 750m swim (the triathlon is a 2.4km swim), before exiting the water at the St. Francis Yacht Club and running to transition at Little Marina Green. They’ll then be tasked with swapping their wetsuits for running shoes and facing a 5km run along the San Francisco Bay Trail, heading west towards Crissy Field and looping back at the Warming Hut to finish their Escape Aquathlon at Marina Green.
The race organisers, IMG, believe that the new swim/run short-course race is designed to provide “more athletes with an opportunity to experience the thrill of the famous Alcatraz Triathlon and add a new challenge for those looking to test themselves ahead of the triathlon.”
The triathlon was first hosted in 1981 as a private club event for Oakes’ Dolphin Club in San Francisco Bay and has since welcomed tri superstars Greg Welch, Paula Newby-Fraser, Simon Lessing, Leanda Cave and Javier Gómez to its sell out field of pro and age-group athletes. the triathlon involves a 2.4km swim, 29km bike to Golden Gate Park and a 12.8km run that includes the infamous Sand Ladder.
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Aquathlon registration for age-groupers will open on Tuesday 18 February at 5pm UK time. The registration fee will start at $295 per person and is limited to 400 athletes. Head to www.escapealcatraztri.com/aquathlon for more.
This year’s route takes athletes through the northern countryside, starting with a point-to-point from Pennington Flash to Bolton for the first few miles. This will then become a 3-lap bike course with a 650 feet reduction in climbing.
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There will be a few technical descents through Edgworth, Turton and Chapeltown at the north end of the course, with a short stint on the A666. This will then lead into the descent through Egerton and Belmont. The 2020 bike course will no longer be using Pickup Bank, Eccleshill, Hoddlesden or Blacksnape Road towards Edgworth.
One of the most memorable part of the Ironman UK 2019 bike course remains, and athletes will still climb past Black Dog Pub in Belmont and onto Sheephouse Lane before heading back towards Bolton. From here competitors will continue east towards Bury and continue the 3-lap bike course.
Ironman UK has also removed the undulating climbs through Ramsbottom, Helmshore and Hoddlesden and as well as the long technical climbs and descents through Eccleshill and Blacksnape.
“Year after year we continue to be inspired by every athlete that has taken on the Ironman UK race. We want to make sure our athletes have the best experience possible and because of this, we have decided to make some changes the 2020 bike course,” said Sam Brawn, Ironman UK Race Director.
“As we always do, we wanted to make sure that the athletes experience was a focal point when planning the 2020 race. We are excited that this year athletes will get to experience more of the iconic Ironman UK spectators support, as their families and friends will get to cheer them on multiple times!”
Ironman UK takes place on Sunday 12 July. For more information on the new bike course and to register, please visit https://www.ironman.com/im-uk
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Want to smash it? Here’s some Ironman training advice from top coaches and athletes
Frodeno and Haug’s coach Dan Lorang on how to train for Ironman
Ironman racing and training advice from Tim Don
Ironman race-day: how to pace each leg
Your first Ironman: 30 training and preparation tips
This year’s route takes athletes through the northern countryside, starting with a point-to-point from Pennington Flash to Bolton for the first few miles. This will then become a 3-lap bike course with a 650 feet reduction in climbing.
Advertisement
There will be a few technical descents through Edgworth, Turton and Chapeltown at the north end of the course, with a short stint on the A666. This will then lead into the descent through Egerton and Belmont. The 2020 bike course will no longer be using Pickup Bank, Eccleshill, Hoddlesden or Blacksnape Road towards Edgworth.
One of the most memorable part of the Ironman UK 2019 bike course remains, and athletes will still climb past Black Dog Pub in Belmont and onto Sheephouse Lane before heading back towards Bolton. From here competitors will continue east towards Bury and continue the 3-lap bike course.
Ironman UK has also removed the undulating climbs through Ramsbottom, Helmshore and Hoddlesden and as well as the long technical climbs and descents through Eccleshill and Blacksnape.
“Year after year we continue to be inspired by every athlete that has taken on the Ironman UK race. We want to make sure our athletes have the best experience possible and because of this, we have decided to make some changes the 2020 bike course,” said Sam Brawn, Ironman UK Race Director.
“As we always do, we wanted to make sure that the athletes experience was a focal point when planning the 2020 race. We are excited that this year athletes will get to experience more of the iconic Ironman UK spectators support, as their families and friends will get to cheer them on multiple times!”
Ironman UK takes place on Sunday 12 July. For more information on the new bike course and to register, please visit https://www.ironman.com/im-uk
Advertisement
Want to smash it? Here’s some Ironman training advice from top coaches and athletes
Frodeno and Haug’s coach Dan Lorang on how to train for Ironman
Ironman racing and training advice from Tim Don
Ironman race-day: how to pace each leg
Your first Ironman: 30 training and preparation tips
A $2,000,000 Annual Bonus Programme has been set up by the Professional Triathletes Organisation for their top 100 ranked athletes.
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The bonus amounts range from $100,000 for the PTO World No. 1 male and female athletes, to $10,000 for the PTO World No. 20 male and female athletes. In addition, male and female athletes ranked at the end of the year between 21-50 shall each be paid $5,000 and those ranked between 51-100 shall be paid $2,000.
Rachel Joyce, Co-President of the PTO said “We are very pleased to be able to adopt an annual bonus programme that rewards athletes for outstanding performances throughout the year. The triathlon season is a long one and just because an athlete might have an off race in a large event, doesn’t mean that their year’s performance should go unrewarded.”
The PTO World Rankings is a first-of-its-kind ranking technology to measure the greatest non-drafting professional triathletes. It is a worldwide benchmark of consistent excellence in triathlon. In addition to being the basis for the PTO Annual Bonus Programme, it is used to determine automatic qualification spots for The Collins Cup.
Tim O’Donnell, Co-President of the PTO, said: “The adoption of the PTO Annual Bonus Plan, together with the $2,000,000 payments at The Collins Cup, means that so far in 2020 the PTO will be paying 200 professional triathletes $4,000,000. We believe that this demonstrates the value and benefits of professionals being unified in our own organisation and we hope that this is just the beginning of the many ways the PTO can bring not only a voice but meaningful contributions to our sport.”
All licensed professionals are eligible to be members of the PTO and there are no costs or memberships fees. More information can be found at protriathletes.org or by e-mailing us at [email protected].
Advertisement
The PTO will host The Collins Cup from May 28-30, at the world-renowned x-bionic sphere® in Samorin, Slovakia. For more information go visit thecollinscup.com
A $2,000,000 Annual Bonus Programme has been set up by the Professional Triathletes Organisation for their top 100 ranked athletes.
Advertisement
The bonus amounts range from $100,000 for the PTO World No. 1 male and female athletes, to $10,000 for the PTO World No. 20 male and female athletes. In addition, male and female athletes ranked at the end of the year between 21-50 shall each be paid $5,000 and those ranked between 51-100 shall be paid $2,000.
Rachel Joyce, Co-President of the PTO said “We are very pleased to be able to adopt an annual bonus programme that rewards athletes for outstanding performances throughout the year. The triathlon season is a long one and just because an athlete might have an off race in a large event, doesn’t mean that their year’s performance should go unrewarded.”
The PTO World Rankings is a first-of-its-kind ranking technology to measure the greatest non-drafting professional triathletes. It is a worldwide benchmark of consistent excellence in triathlon. In addition to being the basis for the PTO Annual Bonus Programme, it is used to determine automatic qualification spots for The Collins Cup.
Tim O’Donnell, Co-President of the PTO, said: “The adoption of the PTO Annual Bonus Plan, together with the $2,000,000 payments at The Collins Cup, means that so far in 2020 the PTO will be paying 200 professional triathletes $4,000,000. We believe that this demonstrates the value and benefits of professionals being unified in our own organisation and we hope that this is just the beginning of the many ways the PTO can bring not only a voice but meaningful contributions to our sport.”
All licensed professionals are eligible to be members of the PTO and there are no costs or memberships fees. More information can be found at protriathletes.org or by e-mailing us at [email protected].
Advertisement
The PTO will host The Collins Cup from May 28-30, at the world-renowned x-bionic sphere® in Samorin, Slovakia. For more information go visit thecollinscup.com