The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) has announced the expansion of its PTO Tour, with the inaugural staging of the PTO Asian Open event in Singapore now set for August 19-20, 2023.
In a multi-year partnership between the PTO, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Sport Singapore (SportSG), the PTO Asian Open will host leading male and female professional triathletes around a specially designed new course in the Marina Bay Financial District.
Sam Renouf, CEO of the PTO, said “When we were planning the first PTO Asian Open, the opportunity to stage the event in Singapore and seeing the world’s best triathletes race around the iconic Marina Bay was something that made sense on many levels.
“It is important that the PTO Tour goes to different continents, different kinds of courses and different climates – that will enable us to see who really is the greatest endurance athlete on the planet. Singapore will be a great destination as well as a great race venue.”
The inaugural PTO Asian Open will feature a women’s and men’s 100km race (2km swim; 80km bike; 18km run) that will be broadcast live around the world to 170+ territories courtesy of the PTO Tour’s partnerships with Warner Bros Discovery and a series of other regional and national broadcasters.
Roy Teo, Chief of Industry Development, Technology & Innovation from Sport Singapore (SportSG) said “Singapore is proud to be hosting the PTO Asian Open where sporting fans can catch the region’s best triathletes in action.
“The industry is excited to support the event organisers in staging the event and creating a memorable experience for all local and international participants.”
Australian pro triathlete, and PTO world #3, Ashleigh Gentle said “It was very exciting to have the opportunity to race in the first full professional tour.
“The athletes are hugely appreciative of the work the PTO has been doing to show off triathlon to the world. There were some very successful events in 2022 that delivered on the PTO vision and also signposted some of the opportunities going forward. Today’s news on the 2023 calendar shows that things are moving in the right direction.”
Alongside the pro races, the PTO Asian Open will also offer opportunities for amateur triathletes and everyday sports enthusiasts to get involved, thanks to a range of age-group races over the weekend.
This will include the chance for amateurs to compete over the same 100km course as the world’s top ranked athletes. Further information on the amateur events will be available next month, after the Chinese New Year Holiday, with priority registration available on the PTO website.
The Singapore Tourism Board’s Executive Director for Sports & Wellness, Ong Ling Lee, added “We are proud to host the inaugural PTO Asian Open, a timely addition to Singapore’s exciting calendar of events.
“This adds buzz to our city and strengthens Singapore’s position as a leading destination for sports in the region. As we look forward to welcoming the world’s top triathletes this August, we hope locals and international visitors will also enjoy the mass participation opportunities and explore what Singapore has to offer beyond the event.”
PTO’s Sam Renouf concluded “Singapore has become famous for hosting world class events like the iconic F1 Night Race, the WTA Grand Final and has also seen tremendous growth in endurance sports through the staging of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon.
“With this long-term partnership with the PTO to create a ‘sporting major’ in the city, Singapore will become known as the premier destination for triathlon in Asia.”
