The new Patagonman XTRI has been launched for 2018 in the Patagonian region of Chile. The event is part of the XTRI World Tour Circuit and is supported by Norseman, the famous iron-distance race in the fjords of Norway.
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The Patagonman is the conventional Iron-distances of a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike and 42.2 km run, but will feature a point-to-point course in the extreme conditions of Patagonia, South America.
The swim starts with the jump from a ferry boat into the icy-cold waters of the Aysén Fjord (10-12°C) before a swim back to Puerto Chacabuco. The 180km bike will roll on the only 180km of the Carretera Austral that has actual pavement, all the way to Cerro Castillo, and it’ll finish with a marathon through dirt trail and rubble road following the Ibáñez River through woods, next to beautiful lakes and waterfalls all the way to the General Carrera Lake.
Each competitor is required to show up with a support person to assist them throughout the race.
There are only 300 slots for athletes with the enrollment beginning on 13 December 2017 and will close on 31 December. It isn’t a first-come, first-served event and anyone can buy a lottery ticket to have the option to participate in the event during that period. That ticket cost $10 USD and the total amount collected from this process will go to charity.
After that period, there will be a lottery for all who participate in the enrollment process and the 300 winners will be selected and notified by email. They will have one week to confirm and pay their registration of $690 USD.
Pro athletes aiming to qualify for the 2019 Ironman World Championships and Ironman 70.3 World Championships will no longer have to accumulate points and instead earn places through a slot system.
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The change aligns with the global age-group system with qualifying slots being allocated to Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events on the global pro calendar for the respective world championship races.
The guaranteed base slot allocations will be equal for both male and female professional athletes, with additional slots being allocated and distributed to events based on the number of professional starters. The Regional Championship events will be assigned the greatest number of qualifying slots of any event on the pro circuit. Each qualifying Ironman or Ironman 70.3 event will have at a minimum one men’s and one women’s professional slot.
For the global 2019 Ironman professional calendar, the number of World Championship slots is expected to be approximately 100, similar to the current total allocation. Based upon the global 2019 70.3 professional calendar, the current two-day format of the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship could allow for up to 170 professional athletes split between the days.
World Championship podium finishers and a reciprocal exemption invitation to the 70.3 World Champion. All exemptions remain subject to completion of a validation race and remain additional to the guaranteed allocations to qualifying events.
“Finishing a top of the podium at an Ironman or Ironman 70.3 event is a great accomplishment and the reward for that should be a place at the starting line at the World Championship events,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer for Ironman. “The return to the slot system celebrates our champions and Ironman host communities around the world and changes the focus squarely back to recognising great performances on race day. If you win you are in, and and athletes will no longer need to calculate how to plan their race schedule to qualify.”
Qualifying for the 2019 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i will begin on September 9, 2018 with slots being awarded at IM Wisconsin and IM Wales.
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Qualifying for the 2019 IM 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France will begin on July 8, 2018 with slots being awarded at 70.3 Jönköping and 70.3 Ecuador.
The Triathlon Show: London returns to ExCeL London this February, from Friday 23 to Sunday 25. For 2018, the show will once again display an immense array of exclusive features, special guests and the latest technology from the biggest brands in the sport. Offering the chance to test new gear, chat with experts and meet likeminded triathletes throughout the day, the event is the perfect occasion for any enthusiast searching for something new this year. If you still require some extra convincing, here are our top-seven reasons to visit The Triathlon Show: London
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1. Meet and listen to Chrissie Wellington
Four times Ironman world champion Chrissie Wellington is to headline the show on February 24.Chrissie will be taking part in a Q&A at the Show, talking about her career and offering guidance for newbies or experienced athletes, to help you achieve your goals. She will also be signing copies of her new book To The Finish Line. Other top names headlining the event include Olympic open-water athletes Keri-anne Payne, Sir Chris Hoy and Mark Foster
2. Quiz the experts in the the expert stage
When it comes to triathlons, expert advice can make all the difference to your performance. In the Performance Theatre you can find out all you need to know about training, competing, nutrition, injury prevention and recovery from the expert coaches and athletes who are ready and willing to share their knowledge. Get involved in the Q and A sessions and hear from those at the top of the sport. Speakers confirmed for this year include Andy Blow of Precision Hydration, tri coach Mark Kleanthous, Paul Newsome of Swim Smooth and a man who needs little introduction 220’s very own Martyn Brunt
3. See the latest kit
So many of us order our tri kit online without seeing it in person beforehand. Triathlon Show: London gives athletes the opportunity to have a good look at the latest kit and triathlon products and ask the expert representatives from each brand any questions they may have. If you are going there looking for new kit, check out our triathlon gear buying guides first
4. Get expert hydration advice from Precision Hydration
Ever suffer from cramp? Dehydration? Struggle in the heat? Well, head to Precision Hydration’s stand (TR208) to talk to their hydration experts and get a free personalised hydration strategy for your next race.
Or, if you really want to nail your hydration plan in 2018, you can find out exactly how much sodium you lose in your sweat (which is largely genetically determined and can vary from as little as 200mg per litre of sweat to as much as 2,000mg/l!) by taking their Advanced Sweat Test at the show. PH have personalised the hydration strategies of some of the world’s top triathletes such as Olympic bronze medalist Henri Schoeman, Olympians Michelle Dillon and Stu Hayes and Team Freespeed’s athletes. It’s just £85 (RRP £95) if you book in advance. Plus, tell them 220 sent you when booking in and they’ll give you a free 1l bottle to help you stay hydrated.
Spaces are limited, so to find out more and book in, email Dawn at [email protected] today
5. Get some swim coaching
Elite coaches from Swim Smooth will be joining us at the Show, running athlete demonstrations, 1-2-1 coaching sessions and group masterclasses sessions across the three days in our purpose built ‘open-water’ pool.
Find out more here
6. Try before you buy in the Wetsuit Testing Pool
Triathlon Show: London is building a pool right in the heart of the show! The best wetsuit brands are bringing their product ranges for the ultimate try-before-you-buy experience, while expert coaches and athletes from Finis and Swim Smooth will be on hand to give advice on everything from technique, kit and training. Sessions will be held throughout the weekend, so make sure you head over!
7. Visit the Event Village
Take the hassle out of choosing which events to enter for the upcoming season by visiting the Event Village. Here you can meet the representatives and organisers of every triathlon you could wish to enter, so you can plan your calendar for the year and find those events which will challenge and inspire you, whether you’re a seasoned triathlete looking for something new or a beginner looking for your first event.
21 must-do UK triathlons
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The Triathlon Show: London is at ExCeL London from 23-25 February. For further information and to get 10% off tickets please visit to www.triathlonshowlondon.co.uk and quote 22010
220 has become the title partner of the WoBurner, and will be working alongside founding charity partner tri for life and organisers Human Race to create a fantastic event experience for 2018.
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Part of the Woburn Abbey Triathlon weekend, the WoBurner is a grueling middle distance triathlon set in one of the most spectacular locations in Bedfordshire. The event incorporates a lake swim set in front of Woburn Abbey, a picturesque cycle route through the surrounding park and countryside, and stunning views across the deer park on the run. Possibly one of the grandest transition areas is situated in front of the Abbey, and a buzzing event village offers a range of family fun and catering options, including a free WoBurger for all competitors!
2018 will see the return of the on-the-go bike feed stations and exclusive WoBurner mementos, as well as an exciting new run course – more details to be revealed soon!
As part of the new partnership, 220 Triathlon will be preparing a number of specific training articles in the build up to the event to support participants, as well as advising on various aspects of the event development.
“A middle distance triathlon is one of the toughest challenges, and the WoBurner gives triathletes the chance to take on the immense test of body and mind in spectacular surroundings,” says Nick Rusling, CEO Human Race. “Having 220 Triathlon on board for 2018 as title partner is fantastic for the event, bringing their expertise and credibility as the leading triathlon publication will undoubtedly help us and tri for life to create a memorable race experience for all.”
Helen Webster, Editor of 220 Triathlon, says: “We know our readers like a challenge, so the Woburner is the perfect distance for us to support. With a beautiful, undulating course it’s the ideal event whether you’re looking to step up to conquer your first middle-distance race finish, or are chasing a PB.Over the next few months we’ll be helping the tri for life and Human Race teams build a world-class event and supporting athletes through training tips, plans and gear advice. I’m confident we can build an amazing race that sees 220 readers achieving their goals and having a memorable race weekend!”
The Woburn Abbey Triathlon weekend is organized by Human Race events in partnership with charity tri for life, which has raised over £2million to date for chosen charity beneficiaries including Great Ormond Street Hospital and Melanoma Focus Cancer Research. The new partnership with 220 Triathlon hopes to help raise further funds for vital causes.
For more information and to register for the WoBurner visit;
The study examined 900 former elite athletes and their brothers, and found, on average, former elite athletes survive 2-3 years longer than their brothers. In addition, their self-rated health and health-related habits are better in comparison to their brothers at an older age.
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Titta Kontro from the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä. Kontro investigated whether all-cause mortality and the development of behavioural and biological risk factors differ between athletes and their brothers in later life.
” Across all age groups, former elite athletes survived on average 2 to 3 years longer than their brothers, but at an old age there were no significant differences in all-cause mortality. Former endurance sports athletes lived longer than power sports athletes. Correspondingly, endurance sports athletes’ brothers lived longer than power sports athletes’ brothers,” Kontro says.
Former elite athletes estimated to have better health, and they smoked less and were physically more active than their brothers. However, there were no significant differences in mobility, physical or psychosocial functioning in daily life between former athletes and their brothers. The brothers showed evidence of a lower mood than the former athletes.
These results support previous research findings regarding the role of genetic or childhood family factors in determining high aerobic fitness and reduced mortality.
“Genetic differences between athletes and brothers, aerobic training for endurance elite sports and a healthier lifestyle may all contribute to reduced premature mortality. A healthier lifestyle is a key factor in preventing major chronic diseases and premature mortality. These findings encourage both athletes and non-athletes to engage in sports at an older age,” Kontro explains.
This research article is part of Titta Kontro’s doctoral thesis, which continues a long-term project on mortality, morbidity and health habits of former elite athletes. The project is carried out in collaboration between the University of Jyväskylä and the University of Helsinki.
“ITU has been informed of allegations involving Henri Schoeman and an adverse analytical finding that would have occurred during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
ITU has promptly launched an investigation into the matter. ITU has been in touch with the Athlete, who is fully cooperating providing information.
It should be noted that ITU was not the testing or results management authority for this sample. Pursuant to the Rio Olympic Games Anti-Doping Rules, for all samples collected during the Rio Olympic Games, the IOC was responsible for the testing programme and the CAS Anti-Doping Division is (as of Rio 2016) responsible for the results management and sanctioning of an athlete as far as Olympic results are concerned.
In 2016 Henry Schoeman won bronze at the Olympic Games in Rio behind the Brownlees, and in that same year won the WTS Grand Fnal in Cozumel after Jonny Brownlee almost collapsed and was helped to the line by brother Ali
WTS Cozumel: all the drama and emotion in pictures
The inaugural Collins Cup, to be hosted by DATEV Challenge Roth, will move to 2019, and as part of this arrangement, the PTO and DATEV Challenge Roth have agreed to increase the prize purse for DATEV Challenge Roth 2018 to $200,000, the largest purse in Europe.
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CEO of DATEV Challenge Roth, Felix Walchshöfer, said: “This year’s race will feature a USD200,000 prize purse, the largest in Europe and more than doubled from 2017. First place male and female will each earn USD40,000.”
The Collins Cup, named after Ironman founders John and Judy, is a three-way non-drafting competition inspired by golf’s Ryder Cup: Europe versus USA versus the ‘Internationals.’ Set off at regular intervals, six men and six women from each region, (eight from the new PTO world rankings plus four captain’s picks – which allows wriggle room to involve stars from the ITU’s World Triathlon Series) will race head-to-head-to-head over a 3km swim, 120km bike course and 25km run.
The Collins Cup: a new Ryder Cup-style team competition for long distance tri
“We are very excited to host the inaugural Collins Cup, said Walchshöfer. “Due to the size and scope of the production, we felt it prudent to have the various production teams onsite to observe and assess in 2018. The resulting knowledge around the logistics will ensure The Collins Cup in 2019 is a ground-breaking broadcast event for the sport of triathlon.”
“This is a truly wonderful way to celebrate 35 years of triathlon in Roth!” Charles Adamo of the PTO, commented “The Collins Cup’s dramatic format is designed to take triathlon broadcasts to the next level and this involves more than a helicopter and a few cameras on the back of motorcycles, particularly at a location as iconic as Roth with its 260,000 dedicated fans.
“We are pleased to be working with both Felix and Zibi Szlufcik, CEO of Challenge Family, who share our passion to bring to the fans and supporters of triathlon an unrivalled competition. We are also very pleased to support the whole Challenge Family so that DATEV Challenge Roth 2018 will have the largest prize purse in Europe.
Rachel Joyce and Tim O’Donnell, co-presidents of the PTO, said: “We are excited as the PTO continues to progress towards its goal of providing professional triathletes with our own platform to better participate in the economics of our sport.
We are committed to have a world class production of The Collins Cup at Roth in 2019. It is great to partner with Felix and Zibi in having the largest European prize purse for DATEV Challenge Roth in 2018, and we hope a number of potential Collins Cup athletes will put this year’s race on their schedule to get a sense of the unrivalled experience it is to race at Roth.”
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Here’s why 220 named Challenge Roth the greatest triathlon in the world and Europe’s 8th best Iron for for first-timers.
Following the news last week that the ITU were investigating the Olympic bronze medallist Henri Schoeman after allegations emerged he had tested positive for a banned substance at the Olympics in Rio, the IU have released this latest statement.
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Following the investigation opened by ITU and the IOC over the publication on some media outlets of allegations involving Henri Schoeman and an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) that would have occurred during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, all parties involved want to declare that the case was not considered to be any Anti-Doping rule violation.
The result management went in accordance with the WADA rules and the process concluded that no AAF was recorded. As a result, the case was not considered to be, nor did it result in, an Anti-Doping Rule violation.
ITU wants to acknowledge and thank Mr. Henri Schoeman, who has been fully cooperative, providing any information to both the IOC and to ITU during this investigation process, since the information was publicly disclosed.
ITU President, Marisol Casado, said: “We feel extremely satisfied that this investigation is completely closed and clears the name of an athlete who has been cooperative, supportive and always assisted ITU and the IOC to clarify these circumstances, even under a lot of pressure. The professionalism and openness shown by Henri Schoeman should be an example for any athlete that could face a situation like this. In ITU we strongly believe in clean sport, because that’s what makes our sport, and our athletes, great”.
ITU Anti-Doping Director, Leslie Buchanan, said: “Every year, ITU commits its time, effort, energy and a substantial budget to our anti-doping mission, and we will continue to do so. Our organisation is absolutely committed to eradicating the use of prohibited substances and methods in triathlon, but ITU is also fully committed to protecting our athletes in instances such as this”.
The IOC is investigating the circumstances in which the information about Henri Schoeman was publicly disclosed and is taking steps to protect athletes’ confidential information. The IOC strongly condemns and will prosecute any unlawful attempts to disclose any confidential information.
The new 2018 course will combine elements of the old, traditional course with the new course introduced in 2017, and is now just one-lap with only 160 metres of elevation, instead of the 330 metres in 2017. Will this see a return to fast times and another long-course record attempt from Daniela Ryf?
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Büchenbach remains, the canal returns
As previously, the new course heads from Transition Zone 2 to the Roth Canal, through the industrial area before branching off south to the first turn around at Eckersmühlen lock. From there it heads back to Roth industrial area and continues north to the Leerstetten lock (turning point 2), then along the canal back to Roth. After a short loop on the Alte Allersberger road, the athletes run through Rothgrund to the Roth town centre. Then, as in 2017, it’s off to Büchenbach before heading back to the centre of Roth and finally to the finish line stadium.
Better run course design with unchanged spectator-friendliness
With this course, TEAMCHALLENGE combines all the advantages of the previous two courses. The result is a run which is almost as flat as the traditional course with only 160 meters of altitude, but which offers athletes more safety and a higher level of running comfort with less crowding on the canal. Another advantage is that the elimination of last year’s two-way track, again, relieving congestion. But it’s important to note the spectator experience that was so universally welcomed in 2017 is not compromised. 17 hotspots along the course remain with plans to add new ones.
Less altitude equals more speed
The significantly reduced elevation, along with the fast running surface will make the athletes happy. Feedback after the 2017 race from the athletes indicated they found the double trip to Büchenbach very demanding, but they really enjoyed the amazing atmosphere at the hot spot there and the general spectator-friendliness of the course.
Challenge CEO, Felix Walchshöfer, comments, “It was clear to us from the outset that changing a three-decade-long tradition would be an on-going process to ensure the best result. That’s why we planned from the beginning to conduct a post-race interview and take the athletes’ suggestions into consideration. The feedback from our athletes is our most important source of knowledge and it goes without saying our philosophy is respect these wishes. But I think that we have found the ideal route with the combination of the two previous courses. Our anniversary athletes can look forward to a very special running experience on 1 July.”
The 2018 run course in detail:
From Transition Zone 2 to Gartenstraße / ACUNA practice clinic as before (500 meters).
Unchanged via Espaner Berg, past the WÜST hot spot in front of Nüssli to Kanal-Lände and continue Speck hot spot, then branch off to the right along the canal to the Eckersmühlen lock to the outskirts of Haimpfarrich. The first turn around is directly in front of the lock wall at 8km.
From the Eckersmühlen lock the course returns along the canal back to the Roth industrial area and there straight on along the canal to the north to the Leerstetten lock. The second turn around is at 18.1km. It returns back along the canal to Lände Roth.
Via Speck Pumpen back towards Rothgrund, first straight ahead into the Alte Al-Lersberger Straße. From there you continue to the WÜST-Hotspot and Espaner Berg and back to Roth, then on the Gartenstraße turn left into the Mühlgasse and continue to the right to the Sparkasse.
Past Sparkasse to Kugelbühl, then between the town hall and church to the market square and on to Willy Supf-Platz.
Now heading towards Pfaffenhofen, after “Blumen Basso” turn left into Sandgasse. Straight on to the end of the road, cross over the Rednitz Rive towards the sewage treatment plant. From there follow the road to Büchenbach.
Via school centre continue towards Rathausplatz and from there around the village pond (MemmertWeiherschleife – turnaround 4)
From there back to Roth, through the Sandgasse, past Willy-Supf-Platz, market place, Kugelbühl, along Gartenstraße to the ACUNA practice clinic / Espaner Berg.
There turn right from Gartenstraße into the street “Am Espan” and as before to the finish in the finish line stadium (900 metres).
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The new course is flat except for a rise just before Büchenbach and the recent addition towards Lände and is completely on paved, closed roads. Only (as before) the short wooded area to Lände and the short stretch of the canal is run on gravel paths.
Olympic champ Alistair Brownlee has announced he is kicking off his season by racing Ironman Dubai 70.3 this Friday. Last year Ali marked his move to Ironman 70.3 racing by winning the Ironman 70.3 North American Pro Championship in St. George in dominating style and qualified for the70.3 worlds.
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Unfortunately surgery on his hip meant he was unable to race the worlds last year but after a winter of training it seems he’s back and ready to race… what will the season hold for him?
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Fellow Brits Will Clarke and Mark Buckingham are also on the start list and flying the flag for GB
About to board the plane to my first race of the year. Very excited to be back on a start line after so long off and to be part of @bahrainendurance13 for another year. #triathlon #firstrace #middledistance #dubai70.3
A post shared by Alistair Brownlee (@alistair.brownlee) on Jan 30, 2018 at 12:34am PST