Super League Triathlon have continued their US expansion by “assuming the operation” of the 2024 Long Beach Legacy Triathlon in partnership with USA Triathlon.
The event, previously hosted by USA Triathlon, will take place at the proposed venue for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The deal is described as “a long-term joint venture between Super League Triathlon and the sport’s governing body in the USA” which will “help grow short-course racing in the USA”.
And it marks another addition to Super League’s growing US portfolio after the acquisition of events in Chicago and New York, though the future of their Malibu Triathlon remains unclear.
‘We have the perfect platform’
Whatever happens to Malibu, the Long Beach Legacy Triathlon guarantees them a presence in California next year, with Long Beach just 20 miles south of Los Angeles.
And it will also provide a continuation of Super League’s partnership with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). Well over $1million was again raised this year for CHLA by the Malibu Triathlon which finally got the go-ahead after a protracted appeal.
The 2024 Long Beach Legacy Triathlon will take place on July 20-21, 2024 and will feature races for age group, elite and youth athletes as well as a World Triathlon Para Cup event.
Michael D’hulst, CEO and Co-Founder of Super League Triathlon, said: “The announcement of the Long Beach Legacy Triathlon is a significant day for short-course triathlon in the USA, as the most exciting race organiser in the sport commits to a long-term partnership with the sport’s governing body, USAT, to deliver a world class event at the proposed venue for the LA Olympics in 2028, all while adding to the $18m already raised for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles via Malibu Triathlon.
With Super League now boasting mass participation events in major US cities Chicago, New York and Long Beach, we have the perfect platform to grow short course triathlon in the USA.
“The partnership with USAT is one I am extremely excited about as we share common goals for the development of the sport and the potential for short-course racing to thrive building towards the Olympics in 2028.”
Victoria Brumfield, Chief Executive Officer of USA Triathlon, said: “USA Triathlon is thrilled to see the Legacy Triathlon evolve into the Long Beach Legacy Triathlon with Super League at the helm.
“As we look toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, having the ability to participate in a triathlon that follows the same path as the course for 2028 provides a memorable opportunity for athletes of all abilities to connect to the highest level of our sport.”
TRI247 says…
This is the latest significant step in the road map Michael D’hulst set out when we spoke to him a little earlier this year.
He told us then that Super League’s focus would be “on the biggest cities in the US”, adding: “We evaluated that and we said it’s much better to buy existing events because it’s cheaper and less risky than starting from the ground up. I mean, try to get permits now to organise an event in New York. Good luck!
“I think Chicago and New York are great platforms to introduce the professional racing to the participation side and get a similar atmosphere to what we get in Toulouse or London for Super League, where people come out and watch.”
He added: “Ultimately, the idea is to make short course great again in America. Back in the early 2000s, Olympic distance racing, sprint-distance races were big but now it’s all about 70.3. So we want to use our DNA and the collective of those iconic events to promote short course again. And I think the momentum from the Olympics will also support that.”
D’hulst also revealed at that point that discussions were USAT were ongoing and this appears to be the next stage – and follows the US ‘development team’ the RTS Warriors competing in this season’s Super League Championship Series.
Of USAT, D’hulst said: “They have a ‘Project Podium’ where they want to recruit more local talent. And they recognise that Super League has been great in recruiting younger talent and really honing skills. So I think that is important. I think there’s also an undercurrent generally in the triathlon market where people are interested in shorter races again.”
It remains to be seen how many SLT Championship events take place in the US in 2024 and beyond but it’s clearly a key focus between now and the 2028 Olympics.
And it’s interesting that Malibu is barely referenced in this latest release – apart from the fact that the CHLA fundraising will be continued via the Long Beach Legacy Triathlon.
More of a ‘destination’ event and very different to cities such as LA, New York and Chicago, the challenge of getting a permit for Malibu proved tricky this year and sounds like it might be far from straightforward in the future, with the next hurdle coming in January.
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