Super League Triathlon organisers have said the new series will stage six rounds in its first full season, adding that it will offer unprecedented levels of prize money for the sport and has secured funding for the next three years.
Super League Triathlon launched earlier this year with the goal of creating an entertainment property that will take triathlon into the mainstream. A Singapore-based company, Super League Triathlon said its maiden 2018-19 season will comprise a Championship league featuring the best 25 male and 25 female athletes across six rounds.
The top 10 male and female performing athletes will secure their place in the next Championship Series. Another 10 spots for the men and women will be on offer at the qualifier events. Additionally, there will be five male and female wild cards awarded at each Championship event to give local talent and other rising stars from around the world the chance to pit themselves against triathlon’s best.
The 2018-19 season will kick-off in September and travel across the continents over a seven-month period. Prior to the Championship season, the Qualifier series will be held from April to August at three locations to give 10 male and female professionals from around the world a chance to gain entry into the Super League Championship Series. Qualifier series will host age group mass participation races as well.
As a part of the Super League, corporate races will be included to give budding corporate athletes the chance to race with the world’s best.
The total prize purse of the 2018-19 Championship will exceed $1.5m (€1.27m), on top of event bonuses and other prizes for the athletes. Organisers say this is the highest prize pool ever awarded in a triathlon series.
Super League Triathlon co-founder Chris McCormack said: “Super League Triathlon is a fast paced series that is open to all and will give the world’s best triathletes the chance to rise to the top and be recognised for their success. The rotation of the new formats and the knock-out system over the two days will really show the world who is the best across each element.”