Search
shop

Our second team could still win: Stadler lights the touchpaper!

The only thing the captains could agree on at the Opening Ceremony was that the Collins Cup isn't raced on paper
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

It was trademark Normann Stadler at the Opening Ceremony for this year’s Collins Cup as the Team Europe co-captain did his best to wind up his opposite numbers.

It was friendly banter rather than prickly rivalry, but there’s no doubt that the ‘draft’ has generated some classic matchups, even if one or two were super-predictable.

The full list is here – as is reaction from the athletes.

Advertisement

Sheer quality

The Daniela Ryf vs Flora Duffy vs Sarah True heat that starts everything off underlines the sheer quality on show.

That’s reigning IRONMAN World Champion against current Olympic and (two-time) Commonwealth champion against True, who has returned from the birth of her child to win both her races, at 70.3 and full distance.

All meeting somewhere in the middle in terms of the 100km distance.

It should be a classic and despite the best efforts of Team International’s Craig Alexander to portray his side as favourites, it’s hard to get away from Stadler and Natascha Badmann’s European allstars.

‘It’s going to be fun’

Collins Cup captains 2022
Collins Cup captains 2022

Alexander said: “Our team didn’t bond on WhatsApp, we bonded in person. I think we’re the favourites on paper and we can deal with it – but the races aren’t raced on paper.

“I’m excited to watch all the best athletes in the sport, it’s going to be fun.”

That was echoed by his fellow skipper Erin Baker, who earlier in the evening was announced as the Athletica Emeritus Honouree for the 2022 Collins Cup.

She said: “You only have to look at our team and their resumes – we had the choice of the rest of the world and we picked the best. They know exactly what they’re doing out there.”

Down to the wire

The one thing everyone seemed to agree on was that Team US are the underdogs, even their co-skipper Dave Scott, the legendary six-time Kona winner.

But he was also in defiant mood: “A journalist asked me this week if we’re capable of winning and I thought what a silly question.

“All these athletes have raced against Teams Europe and International and, on paper, there’s no question about it, we’re third right now but we’re not satisfied with that position.

“We all know the value of garnering those last final seconds is really vital to the points system. They’ve really got to scream in that last 2k coming in – if they’re ahead, stay ahead and if they’re moving up then keep doing whatever they can.

“It’s a good pressure, stress can be good and Team US are ready.”

The last word though – for now – to the Team Europe captains, Natascha Badmann saying: “We are here and we have a unique moment of the sport. We’re all so excited, it’s spectacular, the spirit is great, let’s enjoy the show.”

And Stadler rounded it all off: “It stays in Europe – on paper we are the favourites. I could pick two teams and we’d still win! We’re confident.”

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Taylor Knibb 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo New Zealand
US triathlon phenom Taylor Knibb hails great rival Kat Matthews for record-breaking IRONMAN Texas win
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...