The Challenge Family race organiser, Case Imagine and Daytona International Speedway have announced the launch of the middle-distance Challenge Daytona in Florida.
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The international professional middle-distance triathlon and accompanying triathlon festival will take place at the iconic Daytona International Speedway on 8-9 December 2018.
The CEO of Challenge, Zibi Szlufcik, announced the middle-distance triathlon race to members of the media. “Our aim has always been simple: to create a worldwide series of high-quality, fair and fun triathlon races, which offer an exceptional experience for all involved. Our decision to launch Challenge Daytona follows thousands of requests from professional and age-group athletes to have a US Challenge Family event in our portfolio.”
Famous for their races in Wanaka, Almere-Amsterdam and Roth especially (the latter we named as the greatest tri in the world), Challenge launched into America with great fanfare in 2015 when they merged with established UK race organiser Rev3. That partnership only lasted a season, however, before Rev3 went it alone in 2016 again. Much, then, for Challenge hinges on the new Daytona race in December.
“Due to the well-documented history that surrounds Challenge in North America,” added Szlufcik, “we would only return with a strong and unique race concept that is unlike any other in the world. Daytona International Speedway holds an unrivalled opportunity for a US-based middle-distance race. This, together with the exciting side events taking place during the weekend, will target all triathletes and spectators and position the Challenge Family as a truly worldwide lifestyle brand.”
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Head to challenge-family.com for more information on Challenge Daytona.
The ITU have ruled that from the 2018 season onwards an athlete cannot physically assist the forward progress of another athlete on any part of the course. This will result in both athletes being disqualified.
If this rule had been in place during the 2016 WTS final in Cozumel both Alistair and Jonny Brownlee would have been disqualified following Ali’s actions to help his brother across the line.
Other rules passed by the International Triathlon Union Executive Board include allowing disc brakes, and the prohibited use of communication devices of any type, including, but not limited to, cell phones, smart watches and two-way radios during a competition in a distractive manner. Also, cameras, phone cameras and video cameras are prohibited unless permission is given by the ITU.
In Paratriathlon, from now on there will be nine sport classes as a replacement of sub-classes for PTVI and PTWC, with six Paratriathlon medal events remaining as in 2017
To avoid athletes withdrawing from events in the weeks prior, National Federations will only have 48 hours to do any substitutions or withdrawals. Penalties for doing so after 30 days before the event can be avoided with the “joker” rule, with a specific amount of opportunities federation by federation.
“Our Technical Committee along with various other committees and the Sport department has worked really hard during this year to adapt our rules to the new circumstances and try to have a safer and fairer field of play ever”, said ITU President and IOC member, Marisol Casado.
“Our team has studied all cases and possibilities and applied new rules, changed some that were obsolete or updated some other in order to guarantee the best conditions for all our athletes. We also wanted to provide a fantastic and engaging spectacle in every single one of our events, and with those changes, I am sure we will”, said Gergely Markus, ITU Sport Director.
Click here to read all the Competition Rules
Click here to read all the Paratriathlon Classification Rules
The ITU have ruled that from the 2018 season onwards an athlete cannot physically assist the forward progress of another athlete on any part of the course. This will result in both athletes being disqualified.
If this rule had been in place during the 2016 WTS final in Cozumel both Alistair and Jonny Brownlee would have been disqualified following Ali’s actions to help his brother across the line.
Other rules passed by the International Triathlon Union Executive Board include allowing disc brakes, and the prohibited use of communication devices of any type, including, but not limited to, cell phones, smart watches and two-way radios during a competition in a distractive manner. Also, cameras, phone cameras and video cameras are prohibited unless permission is given by the ITU.
In Paratriathlon, from now on there will be nine sport classes as a replacement of sub-classes for PTVI and PTWC, with six Paratriathlon medal events remaining as in 2017
To avoid athletes withdrawing from events in the weeks prior, National Federations will only have 48 hours to do any substitutions or withdrawals. Penalties for doing so after 30 days before the event can be avoided with the “joker” rule, with a specific amount of opportunities federation by federation.
“Our Technical Committee along with various other committees and the Sport department has worked really hard during this year to adapt our rules to the new circumstances and try to have a safer and fairer field of play ever”, said ITU President and IOC member, Marisol Casado.
“Our team has studied all cases and possibilities and applied new rules, changed some that were obsolete or updated some other in order to guarantee the best conditions for all our athletes. We also wanted to provide a fantastic and engaging spectacle in every single one of our events, and with those changes, I am sure we will”, said Gergely Markus, ITU Sport Director.
The new Patagonman XTRI has been launched for 2018 in the Patagonian region of Chile. The event is part of the XTRI World Tour Circuit and is supported by Norseman, the famous iron-distance race in the fjords of Norway.
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The Patagonman is the conventional Iron-distances of a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike and 42.2 km run, but will feature a point-to-point course in the extreme conditions of Patagonia, South America.
The swim starts with the jump from a ferry boat into the icy-cold waters of the Aysén Fjord (10-12°C) before a swim back to Puerto Chacabuco. The 180km bike will roll on the only 180km of the Carretera Austral that has actual pavement, all the way to Cerro Castillo, and it’ll finish with a marathon through dirt trail and rubble road following the Ibáñez River through woods, next to beautiful lakes and waterfalls all the way to the General Carrera Lake.
Each competitor is required to show up with a support person to assist them throughout the race.
There are only 300 slots for athletes with the enrollment beginning on 13 December 2017 and will close on 31 December. It isn’t a first-come, first-served event and anyone can buy a lottery ticket to have the option to participate in the event during that period. That ticket cost $10 USD and the total amount collected from this process will go to charity.
After that period, there will be a lottery for all who participate in the enrollment process and the 300 winners will be selected and notified by email. They will have one week to confirm and pay their registration of $690 USD.
The new Patagonman XTRI has been launched for 2018 in the Patagonian region of Chile. The event is part of the XTRI World Tour Circuit and is supported by Norseman, the famous iron-distance race in the fjords of Norway.
Advertisement
The Patagonman is the conventional Iron-distances of a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike and 42.2 km run, but will feature a point-to-point course in the extreme conditions of Patagonia, South America.
The swim starts with the jump from a ferry boat into the icy-cold waters of the Aysén Fjord (10-12°C) before a swim back to Puerto Chacabuco. The 180km bike will roll on the only 180km of the Carretera Austral that has actual pavement, all the way to Cerro Castillo, and it’ll finish with a marathon through dirt trail and rubble road following the Ibáñez River through woods, next to beautiful lakes and waterfalls all the way to the General Carrera Lake.
Each competitor is required to show up with a support person to assist them throughout the race.
There are only 300 slots for athletes with the enrollment beginning on 13 December 2017 and will close on 31 December. It isn’t a first-come, first-served event and anyone can buy a lottery ticket to have the option to participate in the event during that period. That ticket cost $10 USD and the total amount collected from this process will go to charity.
After that period, there will be a lottery for all who participate in the enrollment process and the 300 winners will be selected and notified by email. They will have one week to confirm and pay their registration of $690 USD.
Pro athletes aiming to qualify for the 2019 Ironman World Championships and Ironman 70.3 World Championships will no longer have to accumulate points and instead earn places through a slot system.
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The change aligns with the global age-group system with qualifying slots being allocated to Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events on the global pro calendar for the respective world championship races.
The guaranteed base slot allocations will be equal for both male and female professional athletes, with additional slots being allocated and distributed to events based on the number of professional starters. The Regional Championship events will be assigned the greatest number of qualifying slots of any event on the pro circuit. Each qualifying Ironman or Ironman 70.3 event will have at a minimum one men’s and one women’s professional slot.
For the global 2019 Ironman professional calendar, the number of World Championship slots is expected to be approximately 100, similar to the current total allocation. Based upon the global 2019 70.3 professional calendar, the current two-day format of the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship could allow for up to 170 professional athletes split between the days.
World Championship podium finishers and a reciprocal exemption invitation to the 70.3 World Champion. All exemptions remain subject to completion of a validation race and remain additional to the guaranteed allocations to qualifying events.
“Finishing a top of the podium at an Ironman or Ironman 70.3 event is a great accomplishment and the reward for that should be a place at the starting line at the World Championship events,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer for Ironman. “The return to the slot system celebrates our champions and Ironman host communities around the world and changes the focus squarely back to recognising great performances on race day. If you win you are in, and and athletes will no longer need to calculate how to plan their race schedule to qualify.”
Qualifying for the 2019 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i will begin on September 9, 2018 with slots being awarded at IM Wisconsin and IM Wales.
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Qualifying for the 2019 IM 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France will begin on July 8, 2018 with slots being awarded at 70.3 Jönköping and 70.3 Ecuador.
Pro athletes aiming to qualify for the 2019 Ironman World Championships and Ironman 70.3 World Championships will no longer have to accumulate points and instead earn places through a slot system.
Advertisement
The change aligns with the global age-group system with qualifying slots being allocated to Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events on the global pro calendar for the respective world championship races.
The guaranteed base slot allocations will be equal for both male and female professional athletes, with additional slots being allocated and distributed to events based on the number of professional starters. The Regional Championship events will be assigned the greatest number of qualifying slots of any event on the pro circuit. Each qualifying Ironman or Ironman 70.3 event will have at a minimum one men’s and one women’s professional slot.
For the global 2019 Ironman professional calendar, the number of World Championship slots is expected to be approximately 100, similar to the current total allocation. Based upon the global 2019 70.3 professional calendar, the current two-day format of the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship could allow for up to 170 professional athletes split between the days.
World Championship podium finishers and a reciprocal exemption invitation to the 70.3 World Champion. All exemptions remain subject to completion of a validation race and remain additional to the guaranteed allocations to qualifying events.
“Finishing a top of the podium at an Ironman or Ironman 70.3 event is a great accomplishment and the reward for that should be a place at the starting line at the World Championship events,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer for Ironman. “The return to the slot system celebrates our champions and Ironman host communities around the world and changes the focus squarely back to recognising great performances on race day. If you win you are in, and and athletes will no longer need to calculate how to plan their race schedule to qualify.”
Qualifying for the 2019 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i will begin on September 9, 2018 with slots being awarded at IM Wisconsin and IM Wales.
Advertisement
Qualifying for the 2019 IM 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France will begin on July 8, 2018 with slots being awarded at 70.3 Jönköping and 70.3 Ecuador.
The Triathlon Show: London returns to ExCeL London this February, from Friday 23 to Sunday 25. For 2018, the show will once again display an immense array of exclusive features, special guests and the latest technology from the biggest brands in the sport. Offering the chance to test new gear, chat with experts and meet likeminded triathletes throughout the day, the event is the perfect occasion for any enthusiast searching for something new this year. If you still require some extra convincing, here are our top-seven reasons to visit The Triathlon Show: London
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1. Meet and listen to Chrissie Wellington
Four times Ironman world champion Chrissie Wellington is to headline the show on February 24.Chrissie will be taking part in a Q&A at the Show, talking about her career and offering guidance for newbies or experienced athletes, to help you achieve your goals. She will also be signing copies of her new book To The Finish Line. Other top names headlining the event include Olympic open-water athletes Keri-anne Payne, Sir Chris Hoy and Mark Foster
2. Quiz the experts in the the expert stage
When it comes to triathlons, expert advice can make all the difference to your performance. In the Performance Theatre you can find out all you need to know about training, competing, nutrition, injury prevention and recovery from the expert coaches and athletes who are ready and willing to share their knowledge. Get involved in the Q and A sessions and hear from those at the top of the sport. Speakers confirmed for this year include Andy Blow of Precision Hydration, tri coach Mark Kleanthous, Paul Newsome of Swim Smooth and a man who needs little introduction 220’s very own Martyn Brunt
3. See the latest kit
So many of us order our tri kit online without seeing it in person beforehand. Triathlon Show: London gives athletes the opportunity to have a good look at the latest kit and triathlon products and ask the expert representatives from each brand any questions they may have. If you are going there looking for new kit, check out our triathlon gear buying guides first
4. Get expert hydration advice from Precision Hydration
Ever suffer from cramp? Dehydration? Struggle in the heat? Well, head to Precision Hydration’s stand (TR208) to talk to their hydration experts and get a free personalised hydration strategy for your next race.
Or, if you really want to nail your hydration plan in 2018, you can find out exactly how much sodium you lose in your sweat (which is largely genetically determined and can vary from as little as 200mg per litre of sweat to as much as 2,000mg/l!) by taking their Advanced Sweat Test at the show. PH have personalised the hydration strategies of some of the world’s top triathletes such as Olympic bronze medalist Henri Schoeman, Olympians Michelle Dillon and Stu Hayes and Team Freespeed’s athletes. It’s just £85 (RRP £95) if you book in advance. Plus, tell them 220 sent you when booking in and they’ll give you a free 1l bottle to help you stay hydrated.
Spaces are limited, so to find out more and book in, email Dawn at [email protected] today
5. Get some swim coaching
Elite coaches from Swim Smooth will be joining us at the Show, running athlete demonstrations, 1-2-1 coaching sessions and group masterclasses sessions across the three days in our purpose built ‘open-water’ pool.
Find out more here
6. Try before you buy in the Wetsuit Testing Pool
Triathlon Show: London is building a pool right in the heart of the show! The best wetsuit brands are bringing their product ranges for the ultimate try-before-you-buy experience, while expert coaches and athletes from Finis and Swim Smooth will be on hand to give advice on everything from technique, kit and training. Sessions will be held throughout the weekend, so make sure you head over!
7. Visit the Event Village
Take the hassle out of choosing which events to enter for the upcoming season by visiting the Event Village. Here you can meet the representatives and organisers of every triathlon you could wish to enter, so you can plan your calendar for the year and find those events which will challenge and inspire you, whether you’re a seasoned triathlete looking for something new or a beginner looking for your first event.
21 must-do UK triathlons
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The Triathlon Show: London is at ExCeL London from 23-25 February. For further information and to get 10% off tickets please visit to www.triathlonshowlondon.co.uk and quote 22010
The Triathlon Show: London returns to ExCeL London this February, from Friday 23 to Sunday 25. For 2018, the show will once again display an immense array of exclusive features, special guests and the latest technology from the biggest brands in the sport. Offering the chance to test new gear, chat with experts and meet likeminded triathletes throughout the day, the event is the perfect occasion for any enthusiast searching for something new this year. If you still require some extra convincing, here are our top-seven reasons to visit The Triathlon Show: London
Advertisement
1. Meet and listen to Chrissie Wellington
Four times Ironman world champion Chrissie Wellington is to headline the show on February 24.Chrissie will be taking part in a Q&A at the Show, talking about her career and offering guidance for newbies or experienced athletes, to help you achieve your goals. She will also be signing copies of her new book To The Finish Line. Other top names headlining the event include Olympic open-water athletes Keri-anne Payne, Sir Chris Hoy and Mark Foster
2. Quiz the experts in the the expert stage
When it comes to triathlons, expert advice can make all the difference to your performance. In the Performance Theatre you can find out all you need to know about training, competing, nutrition, injury prevention and recovery from the expert coaches and athletes who are ready and willing to share their knowledge. Get involved in the Q and A sessions and hear from those at the top of the sport. Speakers confirmed for this year include Andy Blow of Precision Hydration, tri coach Mark Kleanthous, Paul Newsome of Swim Smooth and a man who needs little introduction 220’s very own Martyn Brunt
3. See the latest kit
So many of us order our tri kit online without seeing it in person beforehand. Triathlon Show: London gives athletes the opportunity to have a good look at the latest kit and triathlon products and ask the expert representatives from each brand any questions they may have. If you are going there looking for new kit, check out our triathlon gear buying guides first
4. Get expert hydration advice from Precision Hydration
Ever suffer from cramp? Dehydration? Struggle in the heat? Well, head to Precision Hydration’s stand (TR208) to talk to their hydration experts and get a free personalised hydration strategy for your next race.
Or, if you really want to nail your hydration plan in 2018, you can find out exactly how much sodium you lose in your sweat (which is largely genetically determined and can vary from as little as 200mg per litre of sweat to as much as 2,000mg/l!) by taking their Advanced Sweat Test at the show. PH have personalised the hydration strategies of some of the world’s top triathletes such as Olympic bronze medalist Henri Schoeman, Olympians Michelle Dillon and Stu Hayes and Team Freespeed’s athletes. It’s just £85 (RRP £95) if you book in advance. Plus, tell them 220 sent you when booking in and they’ll give you a free 1l bottle to help you stay hydrated.
Spaces are limited, so to find out more and book in, email Dawn at [email protected] today
5. Get some swim coaching
Elite coaches from Swim Smooth will be joining us at the Show, running athlete demonstrations, 1-2-1 coaching sessions and group masterclasses sessions across the three days in our purpose built ‘open-water’ pool.
Find out more here
6. Try before you buy in the Wetsuit Testing Pool
Triathlon Show: London is building a pool right in the heart of the show! The best wetsuit brands are bringing their product ranges for the ultimate try-before-you-buy experience, while expert coaches and athletes from Finis and Swim Smooth will be on hand to give advice on everything from technique, kit and training. Sessions will be held throughout the weekend, so make sure you head over!
7. Visit the Event Village
Take the hassle out of choosing which events to enter for the upcoming season by visiting the Event Village. Here you can meet the representatives and organisers of every triathlon you could wish to enter, so you can plan your calendar for the year and find those events which will challenge and inspire you, whether you’re a seasoned triathlete looking for something new or a beginner looking for your first event.
21 must-do UK triathlons
Advertisement
The Triathlon Show: London is at ExCeL London from 23-25 February. For further information and to get 10% off tickets please visit to www.triathlonshowlondon.co.uk and quote 22010
220 has become the title partner of the WoBurner, and will be working alongside founding charity partner tri for life and organisers Human Race to create a fantastic event experience for 2018.
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Part of the Woburn Abbey Triathlon weekend, the WoBurner is a grueling middle distance triathlon set in one of the most spectacular locations in Bedfordshire. The event incorporates a lake swim set in front of Woburn Abbey, a picturesque cycle route through the surrounding park and countryside, and stunning views across the deer park on the run. Possibly one of the grandest transition areas is situated in front of the Abbey, and a buzzing event village offers a range of family fun and catering options, including a free WoBurger for all competitors!
2018 will see the return of the on-the-go bike feed stations and exclusive WoBurner mementos, as well as an exciting new run course – more details to be revealed soon!
As part of the new partnership, 220 Triathlon will be preparing a number of specific training articles in the build up to the event to support participants, as well as advising on various aspects of the event development.
“A middle distance triathlon is one of the toughest challenges, and the WoBurner gives triathletes the chance to take on the immense test of body and mind in spectacular surroundings,” says Nick Rusling, CEO Human Race. “Having 220 Triathlon on board for 2018 as title partner is fantastic for the event, bringing their expertise and credibility as the leading triathlon publication will undoubtedly help us and tri for life to create a memorable race experience for all.”
Helen Webster, Editor of 220 Triathlon, says: “We know our readers like a challenge, so the Woburner is the perfect distance for us to support. With a beautiful, undulating course it’s the ideal event whether you’re looking to step up to conquer your first middle-distance race finish, or are chasing a PB.Over the next few months we’ll be helping the tri for life and Human Race teams build a world-class event and supporting athletes through training tips, plans and gear advice. I’m confident we can build an amazing race that sees 220 readers achieving their goals and having a memorable race weekend!”
The Woburn Abbey Triathlon weekend is organized by Human Race events in partnership with charity tri for life, which has raised over £2million to date for chosen charity beneficiaries including Great Ormond Street Hospital and Melanoma Focus Cancer Research. The new partnership with 220 Triathlon hopes to help raise further funds for vital causes.