Findlay, Jewett, Sanders and Laundry all nail automatic selection to the Collins Cup

This weekend’s Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) Canadian Open served as the last day athletes could nail down automatic selection for the upcoming Collins Cup in Samorin, Slovakia, and four Canadians have nailed their spots for Team Internationals at the event. Edmonton native Paula Findlay (above) thrilled the crowd with a runner-up finish, enough to nail down a return to the prestigious Collins Cup event.

Related: Simon Whitfield and Lisa Bentley tell you everything you need to know about the Collins Cup

Similar to golf’s Ryder Cup, the Collins Cup features teams from Europe, the United States and “Internationals” against each other. Each country’s team is made up of six men and women. One representative from each country competes in 12 matches, earning points for their position in each heat, along with bonus points if they win by a large margin. The event includes a US$1.5 million prize purse.

Based on their positions in the PTO world ranking, Canadians Lionel Sanders (#5), Paula Findlay (#7), Tamara Jewett (#17) and Jackson Laundry (#18) have all nailed their spots on Team Internationals – they will be joined by Edmonton winner Ashleigh Gentle and fellow Australians Ellie Salthouse and Max Neumann, along with New Zealand’s Braden Currie. Internationals captains Erin Baker and Craig Alexander will now pick the final two men and women who will make up the team that will compete on August 20.