PTO announce first 4 wildcard spots for 2020 Championship – WHO’S IN at Challenge Daytona
OVERVIEW
As the PTO 2020 Championship brings together the greatest triathletes in the world to compete for a $1,000,000 prize purse, the PTO Board are to provide wildcard spots for 10 men and 10 women triathletes to join the top 80 ranked men and women for the eagerly awaited CHALLENGE-DAYTONA on December 6th.
Today, the PTO Board announced the first 4 wildcard spots for 2020 Championships at CHALLENGE-DAYTONA
PURPOSE
The purpose for these wildcard selections is to invite those athletes who have not otherwise automatically qualified for the event, but who are of a calibre to be competitive with those who have qualified and would add to the prestige and competitiveness of the event.
CATEGORIES
Broadly speaking, there are three main categories of athletes who will be considered for a wildcard selection:
1) Previous Historical Performance
2) Up and Coming Athletes
3) World Class ITU Short Course Athletes
WHO’S IN
The first 4 wildcard spots have gone to World Class ITU Short Course Athletes as follows:
Frenchman, Vincent Luis, ITU World Champion fresh from winning another gold at the Arzachena Triathlon World Cup in Sardinia, Italy after incredible form in winning in both WTS Hamburg World Championships and Karlovy Vary and a clear favourite for Gold at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2021 is the first of the wildcard male entrants
The second wildcard male entrant is Norway’s Kristian Blummenfelt who pushed Luis all the way to take Silver in Arzachena Triathlon World Cup. He’s gritty, bold, uncompromising, knows the Norwegian madness (nordisk råskap) as its best, races like a monster and smashing away everything in his way, Blummenfelt is no stranger to distance racing being the World Record Holder in Half-Ironman 70.3.
The first of the female wildcards goes to Nicola Spirig who has conquered the world of triathlon. Two-time Olympic medallist, European Champion, Swiss Sportswoman of the Year, her career speaks for itself, and her legend continues to be added to with each new year in the sport. Again, Nicola is no stranger to Ironman making her debut in this event back in 2014 where she raced to a win in Ironman Cozumel.
World Triathlon Champion 2020, Georgia Taylor-Brown gains the second female wildcard. The Brit powered her way home to win superb first world title in Hamburg holding off Bermuda’s powerhouse of triathlon, Flora Duffy. Aside from her short course credentials, this may be a surprise selection as Georgia will stepping up into unknown race distance territory.
Which Fuel is the Best Fuel for Ironman?
The top 80 men and women in PTO World Rankings who automatically qualify can be found here:
The Race: CHALLENGE-DAYTONA
This year the pro race at CHALLENGE-DAYTONA will be the PTO Middle Distance World Championship. The best athletes in the world will battle each other for theUS$1,000,000 prize purse, all within the Daytona International Speedway®️ property. Adding to the excitement at the 2020 event will be the enhanced schedule and atmosphere for athletes and spectators alike. The entire course is optimized for viewing, with opportunities for spectators to cheer for their favourite pros midway through the swim, all along the bike and run legs, and at each transition juncture.
Challenge Daytona Distance – PRO Athletes
1) Swimming: 2K (2 Laps of 1K each)
2) Cycling: 80k (20 Laps of 4k each)
3) Running: 18k (4 Laps of 4.5K each)
The PTO Middle Distance World Championship will take place on Sunday, December 6th 2020. The start time provides prime viewing for the live-stream broadcast of this event.
