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Who Actually Owns Triathlon?
A preview of the weekend races, and a champion swimmer's tips for triathletes
Good morning everyone,
Well, I’m certainly not in Miami anymore after waking up yesterday to some snow on the ground here in Boulder. But luckily it melted quickly, in a sign that spring (is slowly) being sprung. I hope you have a great weekend of training, racing, or relaxing.
In today’s edition:
Who owns Ironman? The PTO? A guide to triathlon’s owners 💵
Tempo’s take on this weekend’s races 🏁
An NCAA Champion swimmer’s tips for triathletes 🏊
Thank you for being here,
-Matt Sharpe, newsletter editor
Have a triathlete in your life who can't stop swimming, biking, or running? Fire this off to them. Forwarded from a friend? Sign-up for free.
ONE BIG THING
Who Owns What? A Guide to Triathlon’s Major Owners
Journalist Tim Heming put together a breakdown of the owners of Triathlon. Read here for his full article.
Ironman: The largest triathlon enterprise in the world, Ironman was previously owned by China-based Wanda Sports group, but in August 2020 it was sold to Advance Publications.
Advance reportedly paid $730 million for the brand, $80 million more than Wanda's original purchase in 2015.
Advance is a privately owned giant media company owned by billionaire businessman Donald Newhouse, with an annual revenue of around $2.4 billion.
Advance also holds an 8.2% stake in media company Warner Bros. Discovery.
Professional Triathletes Organization: The goal of the PTO is to create a thriving business around professional triathletes and earns revenue from sponsorships, broadcasting, and hosting rights.
The full breakdown of the PTO ownership is not public, however, Welsh venture capitalist Michael Moritz allegedly is the most likely has a controlling stake from when he invested heavily in January 2020.
The athletes are co-owners of the business and benefit from an equal share of profits.
In December 2022, the PTO received $30 million in funding from Divergent Investments, Moritz, and Warner Bros. Discovery (which is partly owned by Ironman’s owner, Advance 👀)
Go deeper on the PTO/Divergent/WB investment.
Super League Triathlon: SLT focuses on a shorter format and more dynamic triathlon racing. Since their first event in 2017 they have grown to a global series, and have branched out into an eSports hybrid, the Arena Games Triathlon.
The founders of SLT are Michael d’Hulst, Ironman World Champion Chris McCormack, and Canadian tech founder Leonid Boguslavsky, whose net worth is north of $3 billion.
SLT’s revenue generally come from sponsorships and broadcast rights.
Recently they’ve purchased the New York, Malibu, and Chicago triathlons that come with a huge mass participation element.
Super League Triathlon purchases the New York and Chicago triathlons.
Challenge Family: Challenge Family of races, which are mostly based in Europe, are best known for the iconic Challenge Roth was once wholly owned by the Walchshoefer family.
Now Roth is the only Challenge event owned by the Walchshoefer’s with the rest of the events owned by Jort Vlam of the Netherlands.
Challenge runs a franchise model, which removes financial risk, but leaves the individual races open to a hostile takeover from other entities (read Ironman).
Challenge once had a footprint in America, but that is now under the CLASH Endurance flag helmed by Bill Christy.
RACE WEEKEND
Ironman 70.3 Lanzarote, Challenge Puerto Varas, and More
Ironman 70.3 Lanzarote
Tempo’s take: In the women’s race former Ironman World champion and blue chip podium performer Anne Haug (GER) should take the win. But it won’t be easy, as she’ll most likely have to chase down 70.3 star Emma Pallett (GBR) and fellow Brit India Lee.
An upset could come from Emilie Moirier (FRA), who is switching to long-course from a successful short-course career.
Men: This one will most likely come down to a Danish duel between Daniel Bakkegard and Thor Bendix Madsen. Bakkegard will have some fatigue in the legs from last weekend’s podium at Clash Miami.
Potential spoilers include short course converts Simon Vian (FRA), Adrian Brifford (SUI), and Justus Nieschlag(GER)
Nieschlagwas recently cut from the German Olympic program and may have a victory-sized chip on his shoulder.
Challenge Puerto Varas
Tempo’s take: Tom Bishop (GBR) was second in Clash Miami last weekend, but won’t skip the top step this weekend. Lucy Byram (GBR) won in Miami, and will continue her victory streak in Chile.
Other Races
Oceania Triathlon Cup and Sprint Championships Devonport
World Triathlon Para Series Devonport
Africa Triathlon Premium Cup Nelson Mandela Bay
Europe Triathlon Cup Melilla
TRAINING THOUGHT
Trying to Swim Better? You Might be Forgetting These Areas
Greg Harper was an NCAA Champion Swimming Champion with the Cal Bears team, and has finally seen the light and taken on triathlon 🤣 (Sorry Greg). In the video below, Greg outlines a few key areas where triathletes can improve their swim. Watch and learn!
Enter to win a pair of racing shoes
Race season is almost here, and our team at The Tempo wants you to be ready.
We’re giving away a pair of racing shoes to a lucky triathlete or Ironman athlete.
Entering is easy. Just head over to our contest page, sign-up, and refer at least one friend to The Tempo.
Enter the contest today. The more people you refer, the greater your chances!
FAVOURITES
🏥 Tri for hospice: The City of Gloucester, U.K. Triathlon is back at Halo Brockworth Leisure Centre on Sunday, May 28. Proceeds from the event will go towards helping the Sue Ryder hospice teams to be there when it matters for families going through the most difficult times of their lives. Check out this article for more on the event. [Gloucestershire live]
🦸 Terrific Tyler: Teenage 15-year-old Tyler Barnett won’t let a genetic connective tissue disorder keep her from competing in the sport she loves. The New Zealand teenager can have any joint in her body pop out or dislocate at a moment’s notice. In a recent triathlon, her shoulder dislocated while swimming, but she popped back in a went on to complete the event. What an inspiration! [Stuff.co.nz]
🎭 A plot twist: At the recent World Triathlon Series event in Abu Dhabi, Ironman World Champion Gustav Iden had a tough finish when he ended the race in 52nd. But to add insult to injury, a protest was filed against his race shoes. As it turns out, the protest was coming from inside the house! [Triathlon Magazine Canada]
EXCLUSIVE TEMPO EXPERT ANALYSIS + INTERVIEWS
How Kaylee manages her pro triathlon career, studies, and on top of it all, her YouTube channel
The process, challenges, and triumphs of developing a new ranking system with Renee Kiley
Rod Mackinnon takes us through a typical day where he does his best to manage work, training, and life
Scott Tindal on eating properly for Ironman training.
Simple strength training for a breakthrough Ironman.
Are you an expert and would like your thoughts to be featured in The Tempo? Fill out this form and we will be in touch shortly!
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