Now confirmed to race in the US$1 million PTO US Open, Olympic champion Flora Duffy is calling on amateur age-group athletes to join her at the inaugural event in Dallas on September 17-18.
While recently announced as a competitor for the PTO US Open women’s pro race, where she will go head-to-head against 14 of the world’s top 25 athletes in the PTO World Rankings, Flora Duffy highlighted the unique age-group experience the PTO Tour provides by giving amateurs the chance to rub shoulders with the pros, and race and watch on the same streets.
Duffy said “The PTO US Open in Dallas is the second step in a new era for triathlon. I’m thrilled to be competing in my first Open. The schedule allows age-groupers to both compete at the 100km distance, and then kick back and spectate the multi-lap-course battled by some of our sports’ best, for an incredible prize purse. The racing, and the Dallas temps, will both be feisty! You won’t want to miss it.”
The 2022 PTO US Open takes the PTO Tour to Texas for the first time, giving age-groupers a chance to participate and test themselves over the 100km or 25km distances and the opportunity to be inspired by up-close access to the pro races.
‘Run in partnership with USA Triathlon, participants will have the benefit of race organisation from a team of local experts backed by the PTO’s dedication to exceptional event experiences, with everything from the race pack to the finish line fit for the world’s best athletes.’
“This is an event for sporting fans, pros and amateur participants alike,” added PTO Athlete Board member, Tim O’Donnell, himself a pro triathlete who won the 2009 ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships.
He added, “Few major sporting occasions around the globe offer a chance for amateurs to compete beside the best athletes in the world. You can watch tennis stars compete at the US Open tennis but you can’t get on the court at Flushing Meadows beside them!
“We believe that personal connection and opportunity is something unique to the sport of triathlon and we want our age groupers to really feel part of the event, not just be at it.”
This year, the 2022 USA Triathlon Club National Championships will be run as part of the PTO US Open age-group event, with athletes wishing to be part of the club championships simply selecting their club during the registration process.
The full PTO US Open men’s line-up for Dallas includes PTO World #3 Magnus Ditlev (DEN), #4 Lionel Sanders (CAN), #5 Alistair Brownlee (GBR) and #6 Daniel Baekkegard (DEN).
In the women’s race there is a strong contingent of American female triathletes, led by PTO World #7 Taylor Knibb and supported by #15 Jackie Hering, #18 Jocelyn McCauley, #23 Sophie Watts, #37 Danielle Lewis and #56 Lesley Smith.
As well as the addition of the women’s field’s top seed – Kat Matthews (PTO World #4) and Olympic Champion Flora Duffy, the US contingent will be up against a line-up of other international stars. These include: PTO Canadian Open winner and runner-up Ashleigh Gentle (AUS, PTO World #6) and Paula Finlay (CAN, PTO World #9); Team Europe Collins Cup winner Holly Lawrence (GBR, PTO World #11); and the resurgent Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR, PTO World #5).
