It’s happening – The Collins Cup will launch in May 2020
The biggest prize purse in triathlon history is announced
It’s been quite a journey and many thought the destination would never be reached. Having first announced the concept of The Collins Cup (www.thecollinscup.com) – the Ryder Cup styled long-course triathlon team event – back in September 2016 (HERE), it’s been a rollercoaster to reach this point by the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO).
First scheduled to be held alongside Challenge Roth in 2018 – it was then postponed for a year. 2019 didn’t happen either, as new financial advisors were appointed, and there were many, perhaps rightly, putting the The Collins Cup in the category of vapourware that would never see the light of day.
The people behind the PTO are nothing if not persistent however, and living up to their motto of Dum Spiro, Spero – “Whilst I Breathe, I Hope.” – the PTO seemingly burst back onto the triathlon scene in very dramatic style earlier this year (HERE), with a very public approach to acquire the assets of IRONMAN. Madness, followed by insanity? Well, I feel we are probably only at the very start of a journey to find out if/where that one might end. My thoughts from October 2019 on that are HERE.
Nonetheless, the PTO are indeed pushing forward – with financial backing, a new CEO and Board of Directors – and The Collins Cup will debut in 2020 at the x-bionic® sphere in Samorin, Slovakia (home of Challenge Family’s The Championship for the past three years). Not only that, the 36 competing athletes will share a prize purse of $2million between them – that’s more than three times the IRONMAN World Championship prize total of $650,000.
More thoughts on this to follow very soon, but here is today’s full news announcement from the PTO.
PROFESSIONAL TRIATHLETES ORGANISATION ANNOUNCES THE INAUGURAL COLLINS CUP HOSTED AT X-BIONIC® SPHERE, SAMORIN, SLOVAKIA WITH $2,000,000 PRIZE PURSE
The Professional Triathletes Organisation today announced that the inaugural Collins Cup will be held on 29–30th May 2020 at the extraordinary x-bionic® sphere in Samorin, Western Slovakia and will have a prize purse of over $2,000,000. It 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.
The Team Captains for The Collins Cup 2020 are:
An 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. The team that finishes last will receive The Broke Spoke Trophy. 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 is designed to 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 Hoffman, owner 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.
