Home > News

Team USA adds Kanute, True, West and Watts to Collins Cup roster

Captains pick a pair of former Olympic athletes as part of their team

Photo by: Professional Triathletes Organisaion

At the inaugural Collins Cup event last year, most triathlon fans and experts figured Team USA would finish as the third of the three teams in the event, but thanks to a stellar opening race by Taylor Knibb, the team took the initial lead. While there was no touching the dominant European squad, the Americans did finish ahead of Team Internationals at the event in Samorin, Slovakia.

Today Team USA captains Dave Scott and Julie Moss announced their captain’s picks for the American team – Ben Kanute, Sarah True, Jason West and Sophie Watts. Kanute was part of the team last year and True, a two-time Olympian, is fresh off an impressive comeback after taking maternity last year, including a dominating performance at Ironman Lanzarote last month.

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

“In selecting Watts, True, West and Kanute, we have added additional firepower to Team US,” Scott said in a release. “In Jason West we have an athlete who has broken out this year and begun to show his potential with a great performance in Chattanooga, where he scored 98 PTO World Ranking points. Ben Kanute is a Collins Cup veteran, having the fourth fastest time at last year’s event. He understands the pressure that occurs once you don the stars and stripes, and we know he is a man prepared for the battle.”

“It was a difficult decision selecting our captains’ picks as there were many deserving athletes,” Moss said. “With Sophie Watts’ 2022 performances after an injury in 2021 all being the mid to high 80s, she has demonstrated not only consistency, but a fierce determination well suited for being a part of Team US. Her strength on the run will make her a feared opponent at Šamorín. What can I say about Sarah True? Coming back from maternity leave and injury, she has had two races this year, and averaged 103 points. As a former Olympian, she has the speed, strength, and guts to challenge any athlete at The Collins Cup.”