Edmonton-born Paula Findlay will race the world’s best triathletes on a course she grew up on, as the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) announced the line-up for the elite women’s race at the US$1 million PTO Canadian Open (July 23-24).
The field, which features 17 of the world’s top 25 PTO world ranked female triathletes, is one of the strongest line-ups of the season so far.
“I am absolutely looking forward to it,” said Canadian athlete Paula Findlay. “When I was a little girl, I remember going to Hawrelak Park and watching Simon Whitfield.
“I remember getting an autograph from him at the end of the race. That’s what encouraged me to get into the sport. So, to be able to come back now as a long-distance athlete and race in Hawrelak Park is something I never thought would ever happen.”
She continued, “My season has been focused on Edmonton and the new $1 million PTO Canadian Open, because I know that if I’m fully fit and healthy I can be competitive. I proved that to myself by winning the PTO Championship in Daytona in 2020 against the best in the world.”
The PTO Canadian Open women’s line-up includes:
- Laura Philipp (GER)
- Taylor Knibb (USA)
- Skye Moench (USA)
- Emma Pallant-Browne (GBR)
- Jeanni Metzler (ZAF)
- Paula Findlay (CAN)
- Jackie Hering (USA)
- Holly Lawrence (GBR)
- Ruth Astle (GBR)
- Chelsea Sodaro (USA)
- Tamara Jewett (CAN)
- Jocelyn McCauley (USA)
- Sara Perez Sala (ESP)
- Ellie Salthouse (AUS)
- Fenella Langridge (GBR)
- Luisa Baptista (BRA)
- Ashleigh Gentle (AUS)
- Lucy Buckingham (GBR)
- Jodie Stimpson (GBR)
- Sarah Crowley (AUS)
- Hannah Wells (NZL)
- Nikki Bartlett (GBR)
- Laura Siddall (GBR)
- Lotte Wilms (NLD)
- Marjolaine Pierré (FRA)
- Pamella Oliveira (BRA)
- Julie Derron (CHE)
- Elisabetta Curridori (ITA)
- Danielle Lewis (USA)
- Lauren Brandon (USA)
- Anne Reischmann (GER)
Not only will the top professionals be competing for a US$1 million prize purse, the PTO Canadian Open is the final event to determine automatic qualifying spots for The Collins Cup teams, with 10% PTO Bonus points available.
PTO CEO Sam Renouf said “The PTO Tour is all about celebrating the world’s ultimate endurance athletes – triathletes, and giving them a global stage on which to perform. I’m confident the first PTO Canadian Open will do that, which is why we are so excited by the full reveal of today’s world class field for the women’s race.
“Speaking to the triathletes, I know one of the things they have really missed over the last few years, is to feel like they are putting on a proper show for everyone; the coloured carpet, the cameras and the international media coverage.
“With a raft of global broadcast deals set to be announced in the next few weeks and a great venue like Edmonton ready to roll out the red carpet to the best triathletes on the planet, I think we’re in for something genuinely special at our first PTO Tour event. And don’t forget, there are also vital PTO Rankings points on offer that will have a huge bearing on the European, US and International Teams for the following month’s Collins Cup.”
The inaugural PTO Tour starts with the PTO Canadian Open (July 23-24); followed by the second edition of US$1.5 million Ryder Cup-style Collins Cup (August 20-21), which sees Team Europe take on Team USA and Team International. The series will conclude with the first PTO US Open in Dallas, Texas (September 17-18).
Each Open event carries a minimum prize money of US$1 million and will be raced over 100km – a 2km swim, 80km bike and 18km run.
The US$1 million PTO Canadian Open prize fund breakdown is as follows:
