PTO Canadian Open Pro Preview
Here comes yet another generous contribution by the Professional Triathletes Organization (PTO) to the welfare of pro triathletes. This contest is conducted in a unique 100-kilometer distance – 2km swim, 80km bike 18 km run. It is slightly under the 70.3 distance and thus slightly favoring the Olympic distance stars.
One big draw is a $1 million purse with $100,000 each going to the men's and women’s champions, $70,000 to the runners-up and $50,000 to the third-place finishers. Even those who finish 40th or later take home $2,000. So with a prize purse that is as one of the largest in the sport, and a race crew well-trained and experienced in major league ITU classics, what more could anyone want?
In the men’s field, it would be hard to beat Kristian Blummenfelt. If not for Norway countryman Gustav Iden who holds almost as s similarly rich trove of World Titles. Looking for home country longshots, none better than Canadian hero Lionel Sanders. Slimmer odds might also attract fans of U.S. star Matt Hanson. There is star power further down in the field – two-time Olympic gold medalist Alistair Brownlee. Who would be top of the charts except for multiple injuries that have left him with just one finish so far this year, making him something of a wildcard, with one race (fourth at Oceanside) and two ‘did not starts’ on his record this year, following those frustrating late withdrawals from the IRONMAN World Championship and the Sub7 Project. Another career hall of famer, Sebastian Kienle, is also trying to recover from facing a series of injuries.
A strong up and comer is young Youri Keulen of the Netherlands. After a hotly disputed DQ early this year, he has racked up a win at Ironman 70.3 Switzerland, a 4th at Ironman 70.3 Elsinore, a 6th at Challenge the Championship and a 4th at CLASH Miami.
In the women’s field, Laura Philipp of Germany has to be favored, despite her withdrawal earlier this year from the Ironman World Championship due to COVID. Later Phillip came on strong with a near record Ironman performance at 2022 Ironman Hamburg and a strong win at Ironman 70.3 Kraichgau.
Nicola Spirig, 2012 Olympic gold medalist and 2016 Olympic silver medalist might have been a little fresher if she had not given her all at the recent sub8 hours test. “After my exciting SUB8 project in Dresden, I am now looking forward to tackle the second half of the year. In my final year as an active triathlete, I am very excited to be competing at the PTO Canadian Open in Edmonton for the first time,” said Spirig.
The most consistently fast performer to date is Emma Pallant-Browne of Great Britain, One of the two or three women’s-fastest runners in the game, Pallant-Browne has recent wins at Elsinore, Luxembourg and Mallorca 70.3s, and 2nd at Challenge the Championship. Skye Moench USA comes into this race with a win at the Ironman North America Championship, and 4th at Ironman World Championship,
Ashleigh Gentle AUS arrives at Edmonton after her 8th win at the Noosa Triathlon and wins at CLASH Miami and Andorra 70.3. Sarah Crowley AUS come ready after a win at Ironman Cairns and 5th at Challenge Roth.
Holly Lawrence GBR is on top of her game after 3rd at California 70.3, 8th at Ironman 70.3 Worlds, 2nd at Escape from Alcatraz and a 2019 win at Ironman 70.3 European Championship.
Paula Findlay of Canada’s most recent performances include 2nd at Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga 2022, 1st at St. Anthony’s, and 4th at the 2021 2021 Ironman 70.3 North American Championship.
Jackie Hering USA won the 2022 Escape from Alcatraz, won 2022 Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga. Took 5th at 2022 Ironman 70.3 California. Back in 2021 she won CLASH Daytona.
The women’s field now features 18 of the world’s top 25 PTO World Ranked female triathletes – one of the strongest line-ups of the season so far. The list of additional athletes to confirm their places on the start line for Edmonton includes:
Women: Nicola Spirig (SWI), Sophie Watts (USA), Vittoria Lopes (BRA), Radka Kahlefeldt (CZE), Rach McBride (CAN), Grace Thek (AUS), Penny Slater (AUS) and India Lee (GBR).
Men Henri Schoeman (RSA), Matt McElroy (USA), Andre Lopes (USA/BRA), Kyle Buckingham (RSA), Max Newmann (AUS), Brent McMahon (CAN), Reinaldo Colucci (BRA), Steve McKenna (AUS), Pieter Heemeryck (BEL), Matt Sharpe (CAN) and Youri Keulen (NED).
