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 -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

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.

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
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Hayden Wilde bike supertri Boston 2024 photo credit supertri
Premium10 ways to make your road bike faster and more aero for triathlons
Kristian Blummenfelt photo credit: PTO Canadian Open
PremiumIs your gut health impacting your performance? The untapped potential of good gut health for triathletes
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
PremiumHas triathlon reached peak performance? Tri experts and legends on how much faster triathletes could get
latest News
Anne Haug wins Challenge Roth 2024 [Photo credit: Simon Fischer | Challenge Roth]
Triathlon legend and current world record holder Anne Haug announces her retirement
Lovseth Perterer Sanchez IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
Rising Norwegian star underlines Kona claims and says that’s now the big goal
Vincent Luis San Francisco 49ers tri suit 2025
Short-course triathlon great Vincent Luis is OUT of T100 London
Marquardt Hogenhaug Foley IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
‘World Championship level’ – Marquardt says bike bar was raised at Lake Placid
Solveig Lovseth wins IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025 women’s results: Løvseth shows she’s the real deal and next Norwegian superstar
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

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...