The International Triathlon Union (ITU) will increase its top level prize money this season to US$3.5 million (€2.8 million), double the amount awarded in previous years. The announcement of the dramatic funding increase comes on the brink of the launch of ITU’s new premier triathlon race series, the Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series.
With support from new partners and sponsors, the Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series, coupled with the ITU Triathlon World Cup series, will offer a record prize purse and the season-ending bonus pool will be three-times greater in 2009 than in previous years.
"We continue to gain interest from sponsors and partners and our results heading into our first season are very positive," said Paul Coleman, ITU Director of the series. "At a time when other sports are facing significant funding difficulties, it is very encouraging to see that we are in a position to offer such a significant increase in prize money.”
Each world championship series event will have a maximum of 65 women and 65 men while the Grand Finale will be capped at 75 women and 75 men. Each National Federation can have a maximum of six women and six men competing in the elite events. Athletes will be entered by their National Federations and entered into the start list primarily based on their ranking.
ITU has partnered with SPORTFIVE and UPSOLUT, operating companies of French media conglomerate, Lagard
