The Professional Triathletes Organisation has announced the Team Captains for the second edition of the PTO’s flagship event, the Collins Cup, scheduled to take place on August 20, 2022, at the extraordinary x-bionic sphere in Šamorín, Slovakia.
Badmann and Stadler return as captains having led Team Europe to Collins Cup glory in 2021. The Swiss and German powerhouses will be back to defend the trophy.
Meanwhile, Team US will be backed up by six-time World Champion, Dave Scott, and Julie Moss, whose embodiment of grit and determination in crawling to the finish of Ironman Hawaii epitomises the PTO’s motto, “Dum Spiro, Spero—Whilst I breathe, I Hope.”
Finally, Team Internationals will be led by multiple World Champions, Erin Baker and Craig Alexander. Originally slated to captain the team last year, the antipodean pairing was unable to attend due to COVID, so have been looking forward to taking the reins for 2022.
Team Europe Captain, Natascha Badmann said: “It was so thrilling to be part of winning Team Europe last year, and what an honour to join forces again with Normann and lead this year’s squad. After last year’s scare, we will take nothing for granted and our team will be ready for a fierce competition. We expect to leave no doubt that Europe dominates this sport and has no rivals.”
Fellow Team Europe Captain, Normann Stadler added: “I am very excited, together with Natasha, to lead Team Europe once again and defend our title at this year’s Collins Cup. With new potential team members such as Marten Van Riel, Kristian Blummenfelt, Alistair Brownlee and Laura Phillip, we will not only win the Collins Cup again but truly can win every single match, and that will be our goal.”
Team US Captain, Dave Scott said: “It is an honour to be selected as Team US Collins Cup Captain. Last year’s event was thrilling. While Team Europe were the clear favourites last year and ultimately proved victorious, US Captains Mark Allen and Karen Smyers led a scrappy American team to some early victories that shocked the sport. Julie and I hope to build on that success and ensure Team US is prepared for what will be a titanic struggle.”
Fellow Team US Captain, Julie Moss added: “I am thrilled to join Dave Scott as Team US Captain. Our goal is to instil a fearless spirit in our young team and inspire them to rise to the challenge. The Collins Cup is truly one of the premier events in sport, where athletes will collapse and crawl for their teammates. Like last year’s Team US, they will leave nothing on the course except blood, sweat and tears.”
Team Internationals Captain, Craig Alexander, said: “After being unable to attend last year’s Collins Cup, Erin Baker and I are excited to be part of Team Internationals this year. We have been in touch with previous captains Lisa Bentley and Simon Whitfield, who did an outstanding job. With the likes of Ashleigh Gentle, Henri Schoeman and Flora Duffy potentially joining the established Team Internationals members, our team will be prepared to have a good old rumble with their European and American counterparts.”
Fellow Team Internationals Captain, Erin Baker, added: “It will be such a pleasure to be able to travel to Šamorín from New Zealand this year and join Craig Alexander and Team Internationals at the Collins Cup. I am so proud of what PTO Professionals have been able to accomplish by establishing the PTO and creating the Collins Cup. It has taken nearly forty years for professional triathletes to finally have an organisation of their own, and I am glad to see it come to fruition and look forward to sharing my experiences and knowledge as a Team Internationals Captain. While the competition will be furious, comradery will abound as the greatest athletes in the world can celebrate this tremendous achievement together.”
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