The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) and Zwift, the virtual training platform, have agreed a partnership that sees Zwift designated as the Official Virtual Training and Events Partner of The Collins Cup in 2021.
Scheduled to take place on August 28th at the x-bionic sphere sports resort in Šamorín, near Bratislava, Slovakia, The Collins Cup is a new race format modelled after the Ryder Cup. The event will see teams of European, International and USA athletes pitted against one another.
The partnership centres around ‘The Collins Cup Tri Series by Zwift’, a recently unveiled 4-week digital activation in the lead up to the Collins Cup race on August 28th.
‘This global [Zwift] community-based activation will consist of a competition, which means the kilometres ridden or run by participants across the globe will contribute to their chosen team’s total – either Team International, Team Europe or Team US.
‘The winning team will earn the right to select the first race day match up at the opening ceremony on Wednesday, August 25th, which will be broadcast to a global audience.’
There will also be a dedicated Zwift Zone as well as a dedicated area for pro athletes at the x-bionic sphere in Šamorín on race week where athletes will lead a group ride and run for the Zwift community.
Zwift will benefit from broadcast exposure across the Collins Cup course and from a content series with PTO athletes that will be delivered over the coming months.
Craig Taylor, Director, Growth Marketing – Tri & Run at Zwift, said “We are excited to partner with the PTO for the inaugural Collins Cup to bring new and different event formats to the triathlon community.
“Zwift shares in PTO’s commitment to elevating the sport of triathlon to a global audience. With many of the pro athletes competing in The Collins Cup being regular Zwifters, this was the perfect opportunity to allow the community to join together in supporting their team and idols to snag the crucial first race day match up.”
Sam Renouf, CEO of the PTO, said “We are thrilled to partner with Zwift for the first ever Collins Cup. Zwift is the perfect partner to help us raise awareness of the event and encourage engagement. Their global community of both triathletes and cyclists will showcase the race to a huge global audience of Zwifters.
“The Collins Cup Tri series will encourage international rivalries to be amplified on Zwift weeks before the Collins Cup race day on 28th August, as fans across the world back their respective teams in advance of the race.”
www.protriathletes.org
www.zwift.com
