PTO European Open: Alistair Brownlee and Jan Frodeno wildcards

Alistair Brownlee and Jan Frodeno have been named among the wildcards for next month’s inaugural PTO European Open in Ibiza.

The British star and the GOAT are two of eight picks across the men’s and women’s races, and will take on PTO World #1 Kristian Blummenfelt – and seven of the world’s top 10 – in a tantalising battle on May 6.

It will be the first time the trio of Brownlee, Frodeno and Blummenfelt – the sport’s three Olympic gold medallists since 2008 – have competed in the same race.

Big names

Australia’s Cameron Wurf, who was fifth at IRONMAN South Africa last month, and Germany’s Justus Nieschlag, who claimed an impressive victory at IRONMAN 70.3 Lanzarote, are the other two wildcards for the men’s field.

On the women’s side, New Zealand’s Amelia Watkinson fronts a strong quartet as she looks to continue her run of finishing on the podium at every event she’s raced at in the past two seasons.

Denmark’s Sif Madsen, who was second at CLASH Miami this year, Germany’s Anne Reischmann and Netherlands’ Els Visser, who has enjoyed a strong start to her season, are the other three picks.

Frodeno thrilled

Frodeno was delighted with his wildcard pick for the PTO European Open and the prospect of going up against the Olympic Champion Blummenfelt, who informed the German of his inclusion with a phone call shared on the PTO’s Instagram.

“The way we’re both going we need to get there first,” Frodeno joked. “Oh man, it’s on. It actually gives me goosebumps.”

🚨 PTO EUROPEAN OPEN WILDCARDS ANNOUNCED 🚨

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— PTO (@protriorg) April 13, 2023

World #3 Magnus Ditlev (DEN) and #4 Sam Laidlow (FRA) will also be in action at what is poised to be an exciting men’s race on the Mediterranean island.

The women’s edition is equally as fascinating, with Australia’s Ashleigh Gentle, the current PTO World #1, looking to add to her PTO Open wins in Edmonton and Dallas last year.

The full women’s podium from the 2022 IRONMAN World Championships in Kona are also involved as Chelsea Sodaro, Anne Haug and Lucy Charles-Barclay further compliment an immensely strong field.