BY ST E V E JAC KS O N
P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y I T U , S U P E R L E A G U E & M LT
S
chool sports day. For some it was a day out of the
classroom. For others, very few others, it was their chance
to shine, and for a larger percentage, a day to be dreaded.
But all of them came together at the end of the day, for
relays! It doesn’t matter if it’s egg-and–spoon against the teachers
or the best in the business competing for their countries at the ITU
Mixed Relay, everybody loves the theatre of the relay!
Tokyo 2020 will see the Olympic debut of the Mixed Relay, with
the ITU increasingly incorporating it in its program. Not that you’ll
hear any complaints from athletes or spectators alike. It’s tight
racing and thrilling viewing and has added a different dynamic to
the sport which resonates well with mainstream media and non-tri
background spectators.
Major League – it’s a phrase that immediately espouses
images of corny Hollywood movies and of course, the passionate
followers of American baseball. Organisers of Major League Tri
will be hoping for just a skerrick of such devotion and exposure
for their product. The Series has just wrapped up and included
four rounds of competition. All four featured the Mixed Relay
format, with franchises representing predominantly American
locations, with the addition of the Gold Coast Tritons, Guadalajara
Guardians and Toronto Freeze, which added to the international
feel and appeal. There were also two Super Sprint races at the
second event and again at the final round. By its own admission
according to Daniel Cassidy, CEO, Major League Triathlon, MLT has
identified that the sport of triathlon does not naturally lend itself
to a great viewing experience and has “addressed this by adopting
the most spectator friendly format in the sport and ‘Americanised’
it by creating a team based league whose teams represent cities,
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similar to other professional sports. This structure is not only
spectator friendly, but also incredibly television friendly, with the
entire race taking roughly 70 minutes in total of non-stop action.
We want to bring the sport to the mainstream. We want to lower
the barrier of entry into the sport. We want to grow the sport
on an amateur level. Most importantly, we are developing youth
programs to encourage participation of our sport’s future.” And
with that sentiment, we certainly wish them all the best.
Tooheys Blue Triathlon and the St George Triathlon Series of the
mid-1990’s will be familiar to those old enough and helped launch
the sport and many of its personalities to an Australian audience.
Much like the NBC highlights package of Hawaii Ironman had
done as part of its broadcast on the Wide World of Sports, the
coverage humanised and highlighted the quality of the athletes.
And in a case of full circle, Superleague Triathlon co-founder
Chris McCormack brought some of that energy, passion and
vision back to the sport with the launch of Superleague. Alternate
formats, high energy, polished presentation and made for viewing;
Superleague is looking to lift the profile and professionalism of
triathlon. It’s early days but again, it’s being supported by the
athletes and embraced by viewers and is certainly providing some
thrilling racing.
There’s always going to be the allure of the Ironman and
long-course racing, much like the marathon for the runners. The
‘Standard’ distance format of 1.5km, 40km and 10km will, for now,
retain its spot as the Olympic distance, but the various formats of
high intensity, high colour and high drama can bring more viewers,
more sponsors, more exposure and inspire the next generation.
The short and sharp racing has not only arrived, it’s here to stay.