THE CHAMPIONSHIP

THECHAMPIONSHIP is the new standard in international triathlon. The half distance (1.9/90/21.1) championship event will take place at the incredible x-bionic® sphere in Samorin, Slovakia on June 3, 2017. For professional athletes, THECHAMPIONSHIP 2017 will carry a minimum €150,000 professional prize purse.    A unique professional qualifying system will firstly see professional athletes able to qualify for THECHAMPIONSHIP 2017 via CHALLENGEFAMILY events worldwide. In addition, professional athletes who finish in the top five at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, or a top three finish in the 2016 World Triathlon Series end of season rankings, 2016 ITU Long Distance Championship, 2016 Ironman World Championship or 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championship will also receive an invite to THECHAMPIONSHIP 2017. Challenge Samorin 2016 will carry double the qualifying slots for THECHAMPIONSHIP 2017. Professional athlete’s qualifying at non-CHALLENGEFAMILY events will be required to validate at a CHALLENGEFAMILY event within the qualifying period, which commences at CHALLENGEFUERTEVENTURA 2016 and concludes at CHALLENGERIMINI 2017. Age group athletes will have the opportunity to qualify with a top six age* group finish at any CHALLENGEFAMILY event worldwide during the qualification period. Top 3 teams in the male, female and mixed categories in relay events will qualify forTHECHAMPIONSHIP at CHALLENGEFAMILY events.

 Loyalty spots are awarded on a first-come-first-served basis for athletes who meet the minimum participation criteria. Loyalty slots are not dependent on an athlete’s race time or finish position at any of the minimum four CHALLENGEFAMILY events. THECHAMPIONSHIP comprises a 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run and is to be an annual CHALLENGEFAMILY event. The 2017 and 2019 editions of THECHAMPIONSHIP will be held at x-bionic® sphere in Samorin, Slovakia.