The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) has announced Canadian triathletes, Lisa Bentley and Simon Whitfield, as official event hosts for the first ever PTO Canadian Open, taking place in Edmonton on 22-24 July.
Between them, PTO notes that Bentley and Whitefield have won pretty much every honour the sport has to offer. Bentley is an 11-time IRONMAN Champion and Whitfield a double Olympic champion, amongst a other achievements and accolades.
Lisa Bentley said “I leapt at the chance to be a host for the PTO Canadian Open – or official cheerleader, as I like to call it. It’s such a big deal for the first ever PTO Open event to be staged in Canada.
“Having seen first-hand the impact of World Triathlon Championships being hosted in Vancouver, Edmonton and Muskoka over the years, I know what a positive catalyst they can be to grow the sport, encourage the next generation, but also engage the local community. I can’t wait to welcome the world to Edmonton.”
Last year, the two were named as the first ever captains for Team International at the inaugural US$1m Collins Cup, the Ryder Cup-style event introduced by the PTO in 2021 as part of a new series of high profile, high prize money, global events that aim to take professional triathlon to the next level.
This time around, they will be tasked with official hosting duties that will include… ‘ensuring the age group athletes have a great build-up and then best-in-class race day experience; engaging stakeholders such as corporate sponsors and VIP receptions to elevate those programmes; and leading working sessions on triathlon development in the community.’
PTO’s CEO Sam Renouf said “Lisa and Simon have done so much for triathlon. Not just in Canada but around the world, through their careers, victories and inspirational stories. Which makes them the ideal ‘dynamic duo’ to play energetic and welcoming hosts to this new event.”
Simon Whitfield said “Being the captain of the International Team at the Collins Cup last year gave me a real taste of what the PTO is trying to do to elevate and grow our wonderful sport. Like Lisa, I feel privileged that the first PTO Open event will be held on our home turf and am convinced that Edmonton will do the country proud. Bring it on.”
The PTO Canadian Open kicks off the new PTO Tour and will be followed this year by the second edition of the Collins Cup (August 20-21) and then the first PTO US Open (September 17-18).
In 2023 and 2024, the PTO Tour will expand further with the PTO European Open and the PTO Asian Open. Each Open event carries a minimum prize purse of US$1m is is raced over 100km (2km swim, 80km bike and 18km run).
www.protriathletes.org
www.donorthevents.ca
