TRI247
Search
shop

Triathlon’s million dollar challenge begins at IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai

Will the sports $1million pay day be collected in 2019? The Nasser Bin Hamad Triple Crown has been confirmed for 2019, starting at IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai

Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
SHOP
Watch Potter, Brownlee & Beaugrand LIVE
Advertisement

Nasser Bin Hamad Triple Crown confirmed for 2019

First announced back in December 2014 at the first (and last) edition of Challenge Bahrain, the fifth year of the Nasser Bin Hamad Triple Crown has been confirmed for the 2019 season.

So far, the $1million prize has only been claimed once – in that first 2015 season – by four-time IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion, Daniela Ryf. She collected the biggest payday in the sport for winning Challenge Dubai, IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship (Zell-am-See) and IRONMAN 70.3 Bahrain.

In 2017 both Javier Gomez and Daniela Ryf arrived at the final race, IRONMAN 70.3 Bahrain, having both won in Dubai and the 70.3 World Championships, but in finishing fourth and third respectively, were unable to complete the Triple Crown and claim the big prize cheque. That race was won by Kristian Blummenfelt and Holly Lawrence (both of whom repeated in 2018).

To claim the $1million bonus in 2019, an athlete will have to win all three of the following races:

  • IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai – 1st February 2019
  • IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, Nice, France – 7th / 8th September 2019
  • IRONMAN 70.3 Bahrain – TBC (typically late November / early December)

Advertisement

Who is heading to Dubai?

While the start list for Dubai is not yet finalised, we do know that Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) has announced his intention to race. Having won in Bahrain (on a similar style of course to Dubai), for the last two editions and with the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship (Nice) falling a week after the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final (Lausanne) this year, you would have to consider a Kristian a potential contender.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsNZXL2Bnyo/

Will Alistair Brownlee be fit to race? Alistair won in Dubai last year, crushing the field by six and a half minutes with a performance I described at the time as a masterclass. That was, perhaps, his strongest performance of 2018. Aside from fitness and form, any decisions on Alistair’s desire to focus on trying to win a third Olympic Gold medal in Tokyo or fully committing to an IRONMAN career will be a factor in determining his race schedule. Winner in Dubai, second at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship last year – a fit Brownlee certainly has the potential to win all three races. Maintaing that consistency of health and fitness has become and increasingly difficult task in recent years however.

Photo: Talbot Cox - IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai
Photo: Talbot Cox

The top three women in Dubai last year were Anne Haug, Sarah Lewis and Holly Lawrence – and all three are already on the entry list for 2019 and set to return. Will Daniela Ryf, or perhaps Lucy Charles, be joining them? That $1million cheque is quite an incentive… and you’ll have to be in Dubai if you want a chance to collect it.

Sarah Lewis - IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai 2018
Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images for Ironman

There should be further British interest in Dubai too, with Kimberley Morrison and Fenella Langridge on the current entry list. We expect that will expand significantly before race day, which is approaching fast – Friday 1st February 2019.

13th April 2024 - London
Watch Potter, Brownlee & Beaugrand as these triathlon superstars take on the world in the build up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
LIMITED TICKETS - DON'T MISS OUT!
John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
IRONMAN Tallinn finish line
Let’s race… IRONMAN Tallinn
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
Brownlee brothers on the costly race day swim mistakes to avoid – plus their own mishaps
Cameron Brown signs off with seventh in his 25th and final appearance at IRONMAN New Zealand photo credit Graeme Murray
What is an average & good time for a triathlon?
Jonny Brownlee swim pool neom 2022 Photo Bartlomiej Zborowski Superleague Triathlon
Jonny Brownlee on the pool swimming drills to do now to get faster in open water
Pro triathlete Imogen Simmonds riding a Canyon Speedmax
Can your tri suit actually make you faster? The latest tech and how it could help your race day performance
latest News
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
Alistair Brownlee chasing first PTO win as stars announced for Singapore T100 Triathlon World Tour
Ashleigh Gentle winning the PTO Asian Open in Singapore in 2023
Chelsea Sodaro returns as World Triathlon release Singapore T100 Triathlon World Tour start lists
Sarah Crowley wins IRONMAN Cairns photo Korupt Vision]
Australian long course legend and Kona podium finisher calls time on decorated triathlon career
Mixed Team Relay France podium WTCS Sunderland 2023 photo credit: World Triathlon / Petko Beier
World Triathlon announce field size expansions following WTCS Abu Dhabi cancellation
Lucy Charles Barclay Laura Philipp Ellie Salthouse IRONMAN 703 Kraichgau 2023 photo credit: IRONMAN Germany
IRONMAN Champion heralds the strength of female long course racing and picks her main contenders for Nice
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
Invalid email address
The SBRX Group

Proudly elevating endurance sports through content, products & services

SBRX
RUN247
Share to...