Fourth time lucky for The Collins Cup?
Revised date set for the Covid-19 impacted event
With top marks for persistence the inaugural Collins Cup Triathlon from the Professional Triathletes Organisation will, we hope, finally take place in May 2021. 2018 was the first date attempted (HERE), then postponed to 2019 (HERE) – before another postponement to 2020… before Coronavirus wiped out most of the global event portfolio and that couldn’t happen either.
Dum Spiro, Spero –“Whilst I Breathe, I Hope.” – is the mantra of the PTO. Well, it would appear that they are certainly still breathing, so fingers crossed they can finally get this initiative over the (start) line.
INAUGURAL COLLINS CUP TRIATHLON TO TAKE PLACE EXACTLY ONE YEAR FROM TODAY ON MAY 22, 2021
The Professional Triathletes Organisation today announced that the new date for the inaugural Collins Cup will be exactly one year from today – on the 22nd May 2021.
The race, which was originally scheduled for 29-30th May 2020 but could not go ahead due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will now take place on the new date of 22nd May 2021 – the same weekend as The Championship 2021.
It will be hosted, as originally planned, by the extraordinary x-bionic® sphere in Samorin, Western Slovakia and will bring together the greatest professional triathletes in the world in a team competition to do battle to see who dominates the sport
Modelled after golf’s Ryder Cup, The Collins Cup is a competition among USA, Europe and the Internationals. Each team will consist of 12 professional triathletes, six men and six women. Eight athletes, four men and four women, will earn a place on their respective teams by way of the PTO World Rankings™ System and the remaining four athletes, two men and two women, will be selected by the non-athlete PTO Board Members with advice from Team Captains
One athlete from each team will battle against one another in an individual race of three so there will be 12 separate race matches, each staggered 10 minutes apart. Athletes will be awarded points for their team based on performances in their respective race match and the team with the most overall points from the 12 race matches will claim the spoils of The Collins Cup and bragging rights as the most dominant force in the sport. Click here to view “How It Works”
Sam Renouf, CEO of the PTO, commented, “The format of USA vs Europe vs Internationals will add a whole new level of competition and pure excitement for triathlon. By adopting a proven format like the Ryder Cup with its nationalistic intensity and having a points system that creates drama throughout the race, The Collins Cup will be a compelling live TV event that appeals not only to the fans of endurance sports, but also to the general sports enthusiast.”
Tim O’Donnell, Co-President of the PTO, commented, “We could not be more thrilled with the first Collins Cup being hosted at x-bionic® sphere in Samorin. The primary mission of the PTO is to celebrate the sport of triathlon. The Collins Cup, by bringing together legendary team captains to lead today’s top triathletes in a battle to see which region dominates the sport of triathlon, will not only be a riveting competition, but will serve as a platform for professionals and fans alike to celebrate our sport.”
Zibi Szlufcik, Chairman of CHALLENGEFAMILY, commented, “We are delighted to be working with the PTO to host the inaugural Collins Cup at the extraordinary x-bionic® sphere in Samorin, Western Slovakia. The spectacular venue could not be more perfect for the PTO’s inaugural event and the weekend promises to be a triathlon celebration unlike any other.”
Mario Hoffmann, creator of x-bionic® sphere stated, “It is a great honour for Slovakia, Šamorín and x-bionic® sphere to host such a magnificent event. I can say for the whole team that we are thrilled to be a part of history and we are ready to help with our knowledge and vast experience in organizing huge international sports events.” Click here to view x-bionic® sphere
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