Professional Triathletes Organisation Announces Singapore Will Host New PTO Asian Open Race For Next 3 Years

January 18, 2023

London, UK /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) today announced the continued expansion of its PTO Tour, with the inaugural staging of the PTO Asian Open in Singapore on 19-20 August, 2023.

In a multi-year partnership between the PTO, The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Sport Singapore (SportSG), the PTO Asian Open will host the world’s top male and female professional triathletes around a specially designed new course in the Marina Bay Financial District.

Commenting on the news, Sam Renouf, CEO of the PTO, said:

“When we were planning the first PTO Asian Open, the opportunity to stage the event in Singapore and seeing the world’s best triathletes race around the iconic Marina Bay was something that made sense on many levels. It is important that the PTO Tour goes to different continents, different kinds of courses and different climates – that will enable us to see who really is the greatest endurance athlete on the planet. Singapore will be a great destination as well as a great race venue.”

The first-ever PTO Asian Open will feature a women’s and men’s 100km race (2km swim; 80km bike; 18km run) that will be broadcast live around the world to 170+ territories courtesy of the PTO Tour’s partnerships with Warner Bros. Discovery and a series of other regional and national broadcasters.

Roy Teo, Chief of Industry Development, Technology & Innovation from Sport Singapore (SportSG) said: “Singapore is proud to be hosting the PTO Asian Open where sporting fans can catch the region’s best triathletes in action. The industry is excited to support the event organisers in staging the event and creating a memorable experience for all local and international participants.”

Commenting on the announcement, leading athletes were quick to give their thumbs up.

“It was very exciting to have the opportunity to race in the first full professional tour,” said Australian PTO World #3 Ashleigh Gentle, who was the stand-out women’s performer in the 2022 PTO Tour races, winning the PTO Canadian and US Opens as well as being a clear winner of her individual Collins Cup match-up for Team International.

“The athletes are hugely appreciative of the work the PTO has been doing to show off triathlon to the world. There were some very successful events in 2022 that delivered on the PTO vision and also signposted some of the opportunities going forward. Today’s news on the 2023 calendar shows that things are moving in the right direction.”

Alongside the Professional races, the PTO Asian Open will also offer exciting opportunities for amateur triathletes and everyday sports enthusiasts to also get involved in this iconic event, thanks to a range of age-group races over the weekend. This will include the unique chance for amateurs to compete over the same 100km course as seen on the global broadcast of the world’s top ranked athletes. Further information on the amateur events will be available next month, after the Chinese New Year Holiday, with priority registration available on the PTO website.

The Singapore Tourism Board’s Executive Director for Sports & Wellness, Ong Ling Lee, added: “We are proud to host the inaugural PTO Asian Open, a timely addition to Singapore’s exciting calendar of events. This adds buzz to our city and strengthens Singapore’s position as a leading destination for sports in the region. As we look forward to welcoming the world’s top triathletes this August, we hope locals and international visitors will also enjoy the mass participation opportunities and explore what Singapore has to offer beyond the event.”

The Professional Triathletes Organisation is a new sports body co-owned by the professional athletes, seeking to elevate and grow the sport of triathlon and take it to the next level. Sam Renouf concluded by saying:

“Singapore has become famous for hosting world class events like the iconic F1 Night Race, the WTA Grand Final and has also seen tremendous growth in endurance sports through the staging of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. With this long term partnership with the PTO to create a ‘sporting major’ in the city, Singapore will become known as the premier destination for Triathlon in Asia.”

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For Further Information

Professional Triathletes Organisation

Anthony Scammell E: Anthony.Scammell@protriathletes.org

About the Professional Triathletes Organisation

The PTO is a new body co-owned by the professional athletes, seeking to elevate and grow the sport of Triathlon and take it to the next level. Each PTO Open is raced over 100km (2km swim, 80km bike and 18km run). The remaining dates for the 2023 PTO Tour season will be announced in the coming weeks and be underpinned by the PTO World Rankings, helping to create a compelling season-long narrative in the sport for the first time.