Challenge Family and the x-bionic sphere sports resort in Slovakia have today announced a new global half distance championship triathlon event for professional and age group triathletes.
Known as ‘The Championship’, the event will take place at the x-bionic sphere facility in Samorin, Slovakia on 3 June 2017.
Jan Masek, CEO of x-bionic sphere has promised athletes an unforgettable experience, saying “x-bionic sphere may be a young venue; however, everyone who has visited has been astonished by its size and remarkable facilities. Covering a total area of 1,000,000 square metres, x-bionic sphere’s facilities are unparalleled anywhere in the world, catering for professional athletes and teams from 27 Olympic sports disciplines, including triathlon.”
Masek continued, “We are thrilled to host ‘The Championship’ and are committed to providing triathletes from across the globe with a truly unforgettable experience at x-bionic sphere. Whether it is our spectacular training facilities, incredible race course, world-class accommodation at the x-bionic hotel or some well-earned down-time relaxing at the x-bionic wellness centre – athletes will soon realize that The Championship and x-bionic sphere are setting the standard for all others to follow.”
For professional athletes, The Championship 2017 will carry a minimum €150,000 professional prize purse. A unique professional qualifying system will see professional athletes able to qualify for The Championship 2017 via Challenge Family events worldwide.
Professional athletes who finish in the top five at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, or a top three finish in the 2016 World Triathlon Series end of season rankings, 2016 ITU Long Distance Championship, 2016 IRONMAN World Championship or 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship will also receive an invite to The Championship 2017.
The Challenge Samorin 2016 event will carry double the qualifying slots for The Championship 2017.
Professional athlete’s qualifying at non-Challenge Family events will be required to validate at a Challenge Family event within the qualifying period, which commences at Challenge Fuerteventura 2016 and concludes at Challenge Rimini 2017.
“At Challenge Family we’re driven by the same thing that drives our athletes: the passion to push limits, to perform at our best and to enjoy what we do in style. The Championship embodies this and it is our goal to set the new standard in triathlon,’ said Zibi Szlufcik, CEO of Challenge Family.
He continued, “A world-class team has been assembled to deliver The Championship and, true to our commitment to inclusiveness, we are thrilled to bring together all Challenge Family events into our worldwide qualifying system and celebrate the success of Challenge Family professional and age group athletes from all four corners of the globe.”
Age group athletes will have the opportunity to qualify with a top five age group finish at any Challenge Family event worldwide during the qualification period. Top three teams in the male, female and mixed categories in relay events will qualify for The Championship at Challenge Family events.
To celebrate the elite performance of qualifying athletes but maintain Challenge Family’s commitment to inclusiveness, 300 loyalty slots are available to any age group athlete who participates in at least four Challenge Family events within the qualification period. Loyalty spots are awarded on a first-come-first-served basis for athletes who meet the minimum participation criteria. Loyalty slots are not dependent on an athlete’s race time or finish position at any of the minimum four Challenge Family events.
The Championship comprises a 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run and is to be an annual Challenge Family event. The 2017 and 2019 editions of The Championship will be held at x-bionic sphere, with the 2018 host city to be announced shortly.
www.thechampionship2017.com
www.x-bionicsphere.com
www.challenge-family.com
