Sarasota-Bradenton ITU Paratriathlon World Cup to offer prize money
USA Triathlon announces the $60,000 prize purse at an elite ITU paratriathlon event, equal to the elite ITU Triathlon World Cup on the same day.
History will be made at this year’s ITU Paratriathlon World Cup Sarasota-Bradenton where prize money will be offered for the first time.
The race, which takes plae on March 22 in Sarasota, Florida, features six paratriathlon spot categories. The winner of each category will win $2,143 each, with second- and third-place finishers earning $1,286 and $857 respectively. The prize money is distributed equally between men and women, and guides for blind athletes will also receive the same amount of prize money.
Related: Stefan Daniel named Triathlon Canada triathlete of the year.
While this is a first at an ITU event, USA Triathlon did offer prize money at last year’s paratriathlon national championship – the prize purse at last year’s championship in Long Beach, California was $36,750.
The world cup event has typically attracted a large Canadian field for both the triathlon and paratriathlon events. Stefan Daniel began his unbeaten paratriathlon world cup season in Sarasota last year, while Kamylle Frenette finished second in the women’s PTS5 division. Jessica Tuomela came second in the women’s PTVI division, and Jon Dunkerley finished fifth in the men’s race. (Read last year’s race recap here.)
This year’s race in Sarasota will likely be very competitive, and not just because of the newly announced prize money. Athletes will be in the hunt for valuable qualifying points for both the Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo.