ITU Triathlon World Cup
The ITU Triathlon World Cup is an annual series of triathlon races staged around the world. The series is organised by the International Triathlon Union (ITU), the world governing body of the sport. Following the 2008 series the number of races in the World Cup were reduced as the ITU shifted focus to the reformatted World Triathlon Series.[1] Since the reformat, points earned in World Cup racing are applied to the World Triathlon Series rankings.[2]
Events
World Cup events are located at venues in various affiliated International Triathlon Union countries. The number of World Cup events, prior to 2009, ranged from 10 to 20 events per year. The number of annual World Cup events since 2009 has since been reduced, typically numbering less than 10.
Each World Cup event in the series involves a standard (Olympic) distance triathlon race. The swim begins with a mass start in open water followed by a draft-legal segment on the bike. The race distances are 1500 m swim, 40 km cycle, 10 km run. A total of 300 points are distributed amongst the athletes based on their finish position in each race and contribute to the overall point totals for the ITU Triathlon World Championships.[3] The points achieved at each World Cup event, within the designated time frame leading up to an Olympic Games, also contribute towards the qualification for the Games. A prize fund of USD $100,000 is distributed equally between the men and women at each World Cup leg.[4]
Sponsors
BG Group were title sponsors of the series from 2006 to 2008.[5]
Winners
The World Cup champions are based on the final accumulated point totals as earned in each year's series of World Cup races, with double points awarded for results achieved in the ITU Triathlon World Championship race. The declared champions from 1991 to 2008 are:
| Year | Men's champion | Women's champion |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 |  Leandro Macedo (BRA) |
 Karen Smyers (USA) |
| 1992 |  Andrew MacMartin (CAN) Brad Beven (AUS) |
Melissa Mantak (USA) |
| 1993 | Brad Beven (AUS) |
Jo-Anne Ritchie (CAN) |
| 1994 | Brad Beven (AUS) |
 Jenny Rose (NZL) |
| 1995 | Brad Beven (AUS) |
Emma Carney (AUS) |
| 1996 | Miles Stewart (AUS) |
Emma Carney (AUS) |
| 1997 | Chris McCormack (AUS) |
Emma Carney (AUS) |
| 1998 | Hamish Carter (NZL) |
Michellie Jones (AUS) |
| 1999 |  Andrew Johns (GBR) |
Loretta Harrop (AUS) |
| 2000 |  Dmitriy Gaag (KAZ) |
Michellie Jones (AUS) |
| 2001 | Chris Hill (AUS) |
Siri Lindley (USA) |
| 2002 | Greg Bennett (AUS) |
Siri Lindley (USA) |
| 2003 | Greg Bennett (AUS) |
Barbara Lindquist (USA) |
| 2004 | Dmitriy Gaag (KAZ) |
 Anja Dittmer (GER) |
| 2005 | Hunter Kemper (USA) |
Annabel Luxford (AUS) |
| 2006 |  Javier Gómez (ESP) |
 Vanessa Fernandes (POR) |
| 2007 | Javier Gómez (ESP) |
Vanessa Fernandes (POR) |
| 2008 | Javier Gómez (ESP) |
Samantha Warriner (NZL) |
See also
References
- ↑ Carlson, Timothy (12 September 2008). "ITU replaces one-day Elite World Championship with new six-race 'Super Series'". Slowtwitch.com. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
- ↑ "Ranking Criteria" (PDF). International Triathlon Union. 27 February 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- ↑ "Ranking Criteria" (PDF). International Triathlon Union. 19 April 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
- ↑ "ITU Media Guide" (PDF). ITU. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- ↑ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/the_bg_legacy