The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) has announced the full broadcast presentation team for the live coverage of the PTO’s inaugural flagship event The Collins Cup.
The Collins Cup pro triathlon event is modelled after the Ryder Cup. Scheduled to take place on August 28th at the x-bionic sphere sports resort in Šamorín, near Bratislava, Slovakia, the event will be broadcast live in what is claimed to be… ‘the highest value production the sport has ever seen.’
The presentation team who will support lead anchor, Phil Liggett, are well known presenters Alex Payne and Charlie Webster – with Belinda Granger, Barrie Shepley, Greg Bennett and Vicky Holland providing on-the-ground expert insight into the triathlon race action as it unfolds.
Alex Payne has spent over 17 years with Sky Sports. As well as presenting live tennis and poker, for the last decade he has been the lead Rugby Union presenter, fronting over one 100 internationals and four Lions tours.
Charlie Webster is an experienced live broadcaster having worked for major global TV networks, events and brands including Wimbledon, the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, World Title Boxing, the Champions League and Six Nations Rugby.
Belinda Granger is a former professional triathlete with over 30 years’ experience in the sport. She has completed 50 iron distance races, has fifteen IRONMAN titles including five top ten finishes at the IM World Championships and has been inducted into the Australian IM hall of fame. She was an integral part of the PTO 2020 Championship Broadcast Team and will be delivering the same insight for The Collins Cup.
Barrie Shepley has been at the forefront of triathlon for nearly 40 years. He has attended every Olympic Games and over 40 World Championships and has over three decades of live commentary experience in the sport.
Greg Bennett is a podcast host, speaker, corporate trainer, announcer and entrepreneur. He is a retired professional Olympic triathlete who has won three Australian national titles, two Oceania titles, two World Series titles, a World Championship title and has represented Australia at 18 World Championships, two Olympic Games and one Commonwealth Games.
Vicky Holland has raced short course triathlon for over 15 years, winning five World Series events during that time with many more podiums. She has three Commonwealth medals, a European Silver medal, a Bronze medal from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and was the World Triathlon World Champion in 2018.
The full broadcast presentation team of seven will work alongside award-winning director, Martin Turner, who will head the broadcast team as Executive Producer.
Martin Turner, Executive Producer of The Collins Cup, said “This is a world class commentary team with exceptional presenters.
“I am looking forward to working with this extraordinary team as we make an effort to showcase the sport to not only those who love triathlon, cycling and endurance sports, but also to those general sports fans who crave the rivalries that will be put on display when the best athletes in the world do battle for the Collins Cup.”
Sam Renouf, Chief Executive Officer of the PTO, said “We are thrilled to have such an experienced commentary team for The Collins Cup.
“Alex and Charlie are both exceptional presenters, and Belinda, Greg, Barrie and Vicky will bring a combination of more than 100 years of seasoned experience to the broadcast team and provide sports fans with an unparalleled analysis of the excitement live as it unfolds.”
