ITU introduces innovative new triathlon format: time trial qualifier in Kitzbühel, Austria announced

ITU is pleased to introduce an innovative new format of triathlon racing to its 2016 race calendar. This year, the 2016 Kitzbühel World Cup will debut a time trial qualification format that will see athletes compete twice in one day.

“Kitzbühel is known to our triathletes for its innovating formats,” said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado. “In 2013, athletes endured one of the toughest races we’ve ever presented as they climbed and ran up Kitzbühel Horn Mountain as a part of the World Triathlon Series. As we continue exploring ways in which we can evolve the sport of triathlon with exciting formats, it’s my pleasure to see this new format tested out in such a forward-thinking place like Kitzbühel.”

The time trial, to be held in the morning, will be contested over 2/3 the distance of a sprint triathlon, with athletes going off at 30-second intervals. The athletes with the top 30 times in the time trial will then advance to the finals later in the day.

The final podium will be decided over a super sprint triathlon course, which will be 1/3 the distance of a regular sprint race. For the finals competition, athletes will begin with a mass start.

The time trial qualification format allows more athletes to compete on the playing field, as they are sent off one by one. The dynamic, quick tempo race style also provides a strong platform for Junior and U23 athletes to prepare for the leap to elite racing.

“I’d like to extend a warm thank you to the ITU team to permit us to work on a new format like this,” said Triathlon Austria President Walter Zettinig, “We are looking forward to organizing a great World Cup race in Kitzbühel again.”

While the Kitzbühel World Cup will be contested after the close of the Olympic qualification period, this fast and furious format will be an ideal race for athletes to hone their speed ahead of the Rio Olympics.  

“We are sure this new format will highlight the ability for individuals to perform,” said LOC Director Herwig Grabner. “The shorter distance in the finals will be highly attractive to TV broadcasters, which will enable us to show spectators how fast and attractive our sport is.”

1. Time Trial rules and regulations.pdf

IRONMAN ANNOUNCES MANAGING DIRECTORS OF ASIA-PACIFIC REGION

David Beeche Named Managing Director of IRONMAN Oceania and

Geoff Meyer Named Managing Director of IRONMAN Asia

 

Following the announcement of the pending acquisition of events from Lagardère Sports’ endurance division, IRONMAN today announced new leadership roles for the Asia-Pacific region. David Beeche from Lagardère Sports will join IRONMAN as Managing Director of IRONMAN Oceania (Australia and New Zealand), effective on March, 31. Geoff Meyer will continue with IRONMAN as the Managing Director of IRONMAN Asia (excluding China).

 

“With our business expanding in this area of the world – including the recent addition of multi-sport endurance events – IRONMAN will continue to grow under David and Geoff’s leadership,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer of IRONMAN. “We are excited about the future of the brand in Oceania and Asia.”

 

As Managing Director of IRONMAN Oceania, Beeche will manage and oversee the complete portfolio of events in Australia and New Zealand. This includes IRONMAN races, IRONMAN 70.3 races, multi-sport events, mountain biking events and marathons.

 

"I am excited and grateful to be given the opportunity to lead the Oceania business through its next growth phase,” said Beeche. “As an IRONMAN athlete I understand the impact our events can have on peoples’ lives – and bringing that together with these iconic marathon and cycling events – gives us a unique and compelling position in the market."

 

Meyer, who has been in a leadership role with IRONMAN since 2012 and involved with the sport of triathlon for more than 12 years, will now be responsible for all of the events and licensees in Asia (except China). Meyer will also focus on growing event portfolio and leading business development.

IRONMAN announces acquisition of LAGARDÈRE SPORTS’ endurance division

Global Triathlon Leader Will Now Own and/or Operate Five Additional ITU Triathlons in Addition to Marathon and Cycling Events

IRONMAN today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Lagardère Sports’ endurance division, which includes races in three continents and eight countries. IRONMAN will therefore own and/or operate an additional five International Triathlon Union (ITU) events, four marathons, six cycling races as well as a number of other participation events. These events are expected to serve an estimated 140,000 participants in 2016.                                                               

“Lagardère Sports has built innovative and world-class events which, when added to our global event portfolio, further builds our company and strengthens the entire endurance business under the roof of Wanda Sports Holding,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer of IRONMAN. “These iconic events, and the teams that have created and managed them, will further strengthen our position in triathlon, expand our portfolio in running, and establish ourselves in cycling.”

Christian Toetzke, currently CEO of Lagardère Sports endurance division, will join IRONMAN's global executive team as Chief Development Officer and Global Head of Cycling.

“With the acquisition, IRONMAN is extending its portfolio in world class running and cycling. I look forward to being a part of this growth in my new role,” added Toetzke.

IRONMAN and the ITU have been long-term partners, working together on unified and global standard rules for triathlon, as well as several athlete development initiatives. With this acquisition, IRONMAN adds to their portfolio and will now own and operate the ITU World Triathlon Hamburg, ITU World Triathlon Leeds, ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi, ITU World Triathlon Stockholm and ITU World Triathlon Cape Town. With IRONMAN’s current ownership of the ITU World Triathlon Gold Coast, it now owns and operates six of the nine events in the ITU World Triathlon Series.

“Lagardère Sports has been a long-standing and fantastic partner to the ITU. It is with their commitment to the sport of triathlon that we raised the bar and brought triathlon to the masses over the last eight years. I fully believe the transition of these events to IRONMAN will serve to further strengthen our sport on a global level,” said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member. “Congratulations to both Lagardère Sports and IRONMAN. ITU looks forward to continuing to work together to keep triathlon a major player in the world of sports."

Listed below are the races to be added to the IRONMAN portfolio:

ITU

• ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi
• ITU World Triathlon Cape Town
• ITU World Triathlon Hamburg
• ITU World Triathlon Leeds
• ITU World Triathlon Stockholm

Cycling

• Hamburg Cyclassics
• Velothon Berlin
• Velothon Wales
• Velothon Copenhagen
• Velothon Stockholm
• Velothon Stuttgart

Running

• Hamburg Marathon
• Hawkes Bay International Marathon
• Marathon de Bordeaux
• Queenstown Marathon
• Music Run Hamburg
• Music Runs in Germany, UK, France, Sweden & South Africa

Multisport, Festival, Other

• Duathlon Cape Town
• Duathlon Sandton
• The Motatapu
• The Pioneer