PTO Drops New and Improved World Ranking System

Good morning everyone,

I'm sitting here on the couch, trying to write this intro while watching a new Netflix show called Perfect Match. 1/10 do not recommend. I guess if you had a long trainer ride it might be good for that? Actually, just don't watch this show. Hopefully, our newsletter is a little more entertaining and A LOT more informative 😂

In today’s edition:

• The game-changing new Professional Triathletes Organization ranking system 🏁

• Super League Triathlon makes big investments 📈

• Is there a link between Ketones and EPO? ⚡

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

PTO Drops Updated and Celebrated World Ranking System

What is it: In a surprise announcement, the Professional Triathletes Organization announced a new version of their World Ranking System (PTO WRS) for 2023 and an updated list of women's and men's athlete rankings. 

The new, tier-based system includes five distinct levels:  

💎 Diamond

• Prize money $500,00 (USD) or more.

• Ex: PTO Tour Races, Collins Cup, Ironman World Championships.

💿 Platinum

• Prize money from $350,000 to $500,000.

• Ex: Ironman 70.3 World Championships, Challenge Roth, ITU Long Distance WC.

🥇 Gold

• Prize money from $75,000 to $350,000 for middle distance, $150,000 to $350,000 for full distance.

• Ex: Ironman + 70.3 Regional Championships, Challenge Family Championship, Clash Daytona

🥈 Silver

• Prize money from $25,000 to $75,000 for middle distance, $50,000 to $150,000 for full distance.

• Ex: Most Ironman and +70.3 events, Clash Miami, most Challenge Family events.

🥉 Bronze

• Prize money from $10,000 to $25,000 for middle distance, $10,000 to $50,000 for full distance.

• Ex: Some Challenge Family events, independent races.

The new PTO WRS will include three factors for calculating overall race score:

• Race position: The race tier (diamond, platinum, etc.) has a set amount of points for the winner, and drops off from there.

• Strength of field: Points awarded will reflect whether an athlete competes against a strong field.

• Race time: Athletes who race significantly faster than their competition will receive a higher score.

Why it matters: In the past, there has been controversy with the previous ranking system. Athletes and fans were up in arms over the convoluted nature of how the Adjusted Ideal Time influenced athlete scores and the heavy weighting of the invite-only Collins Cup. 

• The new system is much more transparent for athletes and fans. 

Tempo's take: As an athlete who raced under the previous points system, I can confidently say I had no idea how it worked, and would pray to the triathlon gods to somehow adjust the algorithm in my favor...which it typically wouldn't 😂

The new points system clearly rewards athletes who race well in competitive fields, which is exactly what the sport should be incentivizing. There are certainly more opportunities for higher scores in PTO races, but given they are financing these incredible prize purses and year-end bonuses, they are well within their right to do so!

• These changes will no doubt result in some incredible racing as the best athletes will want to race each other at the biggest events. 

• Athletes and fans are big winners here, buckle up for a big 2023!

For a more comprehensive overview of the new PTO WRS check out this article.

QUICK HIT

Super League Triathlon Acquires Iconic Chicago and New York City Triathlons

What is it: As reported by TRI247, Super League Triathlon has purchased two of the longest-running and largest mass-participation triathlons in America, the Chicago and New York City Triathlons from Life Time Inc. 

Why it matters: With this purchase, and their previous acquisition of the Malibu Triathlon, Super League Triathlon now owns three of the most iconic short-course races in America. 

• With these races, it will align with their stated goal of "reviving short-course racing in the USA."

Tempo's take: Given innovation and excitement are in Super League's DNA, expect there to be some changes to these events that will level them up in a big way.

• We're thinking more of a festival atmosphere, and ways to keep the athletes and spectators on their toes.

Seeing how Malibu already played host to a thrilling Super League event, who wouldn't want to see Georgia Taylor-Brown, Hayden Wilde and the gang rip up the streets of the Upper West Side?

NEWS

🗾 Kyōsō shimashou (lets race!): On pause since 2020, Ironman is excited to announce the return of their events to Japan with the 2023 edition of Ironman 70.3 Japan-Higashimikawa. On June 10th athletes will compete on the beautiful Atsumi Peninsula. Registration is now open! [Endurance Sportswire]

🏛️ Pennsylvania podium: On August 20th, the Back Mountain triathlon will return to the Wilkes-Barre region after a six-year hiatus. Athletes will take part in a “less complicated” event with a single transition zone. The event will also be a non-profit and with the beneficiaries being the Back Mountain First Responders and Back Mountain Trail. [Times Leader]

🇺🇸 Paratri players: The 2023 USA Paratriathlon National Team is now set and ready to take on a big 2023 of racing. The athletes on the team have a combined six Paralympic triathlon medals, and seven world championships! [Team USA]

🛢️ OK volunteers: Ironman Tulsa is on the lookout for volunteers for their event. Positions are available in medical, transition, and hospitality. The event takes place on May 21st.

READER FEEDBACK

Are Ironman's New Rule Changes Actually Inclusive?

Megan Tobin is an age group triathlete, Principal Coach for TMT Coaching, and an advocate for inclusivity. She wanted to address Ironman's recent rule changes and its Transgender guidelines. 

Ironman says it’s Open category creates more inclusivity, and its new transgender policy is fair. But are either statements true? 

Aligning with World Triathlon, formerly ITU, is a move Ironman says is because they have global races sounds fair on the surface. But World Triathlon’s guidelines, updated this year, are controversial and more exclusionary than the IOC.

Does banishing trans athletes to a non-competitive category make our sport more welcoming or inclusive?

Read Megan's full commentary here. 

Reader feedback is a platform for Tempo subscribers to weigh in on the issues of the day. If you would like to contribute then send us an email at [email protected].

FAVOURITES

👏 Well done, Sam: After becoming the first openly autistic athlete to compete in an Ironman, British triathlete Sam Holness has been awarded a Guinness World Record for being the first openly autistic athlete to finish the Ironman World Championships. Sam continues to compete and hopes to inspire others with autism to take up sport. Well done Sam! [Tri247]

🔑 Hitting the right key(tone): If anything containing CBD was a hot product last year, 2023 is definitely the year of the ketones. Ketones are supposed to help your body fuel more efficiently and improve performance. But could they also signal EPO production? This article by Javier T. Gonzalez explains how Ketones could help promote the performance-enhancing hormone. [mysportsscience]

Are you interested in reaching a triathlon and Ironman audience? Then be sure to check out this form.

EXCLUSIVE TEMPO ARTICLES

• Registered Dietician Meghan Stock on the four most common nutrition mistakes.

• Simple strength training for a breakthrough Ironman.

• Scott Tindal on eating properly for Ironman training. 

• In 2023, what is the state of the sport? Good! According to race director, Mark Wilson. 

COMMUNITY QUESTION

Have a burning question about triathlon or Ironman? Want to share a racing tip? Let us know and it could be featured in the newsletter. 

Are you racing this weekend? Or any epic training sessions? We'd love to hear about them! Send us your photos or a race recap, and we will feature them in next Tuesday's edition!

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