Lisa Bentley appointed to PTO Board

The Professional Triathletes Organisation has appointed 11-time Ironman champion and Triathlon Canada Hall of Fame member Lisa Bently to its Board.

“Lisa was one the first advisors we reached out to when we began the journey of establishing the PTO,” says Charles Adamo, Executive Chairman of the PTO. “She was very generous with her time and saw the vision when most thought it was a pipedream.  Her wisdom and guidance were invaluable to the organization, and we are pleased to now have her officially part of the PTO Board. She not only brings a wealth of experience from her life at a professional triathlete, but she will also be able to provide valuable insights in helping PTO Professionals navigate successful transitions once their racing careers have ended. Lisa’s energy and drive could power a small city and her indominable spirit is a walking manifestation of the PTO motto, ‘Dum Spiro, Spero—Whilst I breathe, I hope.’ The PTO and its PTO Professionals are very grateful she has agreed to join the team.”

Despite having Cystic Fibrosis, Bentley’s 20-year professional triathlon career included a third-place finish at the Ironman World Championship and a runner-up finish at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in 2006. She finished in the top-five in Kona four times and had six top-10 finishes on the Big Island.

Since retiring from professional racing, Bentley has worked as a commentator for CBC at the 2012 and 2020 Olympic Games, coached both pro and age group athletes, managed sponsorships for Ironman and professional athletes and also written a book, An Unlikely Champion. Last year Bentley served as one of the captains of Team Internationals at the inaugural PTO Collins Cup.

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

“It is an honour to be able to serve as a PTO Board Member,” says Bentley. “It is fantastic for PTO professionals after so many years to finally have an organization of their own so that collectively, they can support the sport. I am grateful for all the work done by the existing board members in establishing the organisation and look forward to working with the other board members to contribute to the vision of the PTO as we seek to support and work with all the stakeholders in the triathlon community and continue to grow an organisation that is proving to be a model for professional sport.”