Australia’s Husky Triathlon Festival slotted for February 26-28 has some exciting news with the announcement that the Professional Triathlon Organization is stepping in to offer additional prize money and media coverage for the event. The event hosts its staple long course race, along with a number of other multi-sport competitions.
“Unfortunately, 2021 has begun in a very challenging environment that has seen many race operators cancelling races once again,” said PTO Executive Chairman, Charles Adamo. “We are very grateful for the opportunity to work closely with our sport’s governing bodies and race organisers in a way where we can together provide support for our triathlon community. With the pandemic entering its second year, now more than ever our sport is well served by unity and being able to work closely with Triathlon Australia and Elite Energy allows the PTO and its PTO Professionals to do their fair share as we all navigate through these difficult times. It is a tribute to the hard work of Triathlon Australia and race director Mark Emerton and his Husky Triathlon team that they are able to host an event with so many options and distances for athletes of all abilities. We are grateful to be a part of it.”
Earlier today the PTO announced that it would be changing the date of the Collins Cup, and would also be reducing the prize money at the event by $500,000 “to support local races as well as the PTO Professionals who do not qualify to participate in The Collins Cup” – including, one imagines, races like the Husky Triathlon.
Mark “Emo” Emerton the CEO of Elite Energy and Husky Race Director noted:
“I like to think of triathlon as a family and it is for that reason that I’m excited about the PTO’s involvement in Husky. We share the same values of supporting our athletes and the future of triathlon. It is wonderful to be able to hold an event in the current climate when so many races elsewhere have been cancelled. We are excited to welcome PTO Professionals to the race and thank the PTO for their support.”
The Husky Festival has been a staple in the Austrialian triathlon scene over the past 16 years and the bolstered prize purse will certainly make for an exciting race.
