ITU To Test New Format In Tiszaujvaros
This ITU World Cup marks the debut of the new multi-round, multi-day sprint format.
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Tiszaujvaros is the second longest event on the ITU calendar and this year it celebrates its 16th birthday with an innovative new twist. The iconic triathlon stop in Hungary becomes the first ITU World Cup to be decided over an exciting two-day sprint semifinals and sprint finals structure.
The 2012 event will be decided over two days, with sprint distance semifinals held on Saturday and then a sprint distance final on the Sunday. The total number of entries will decide the number of semifinals – three for the men and two for the women on Saturday with a maximum of 30 athletes in each semifinal, which will start as waves. Every semifinal will qualify a fixed number of athletes for the final and additionally a number of athletes will qualify based on the best times. For example, if the total field is between 31 and 60, there will be two semifinals, the top 14 in each will go through to the final and a further two will go through on time, creating a final field of 30.
A number of London-bound athletes will be on the startline, including Annamaria Mazzetti (ITA), Helle Frederiksen (DEN), Alexandra Razarenova (RUS), Maaike Caelers (NED), Davide Uccellari (ITA), Gonzalo Tellechea (ARG) and Gavin Noble (IRL).
But they will be challenged by rising stars aiming to make a splash including reigning Junior World Champions Lukas Verzbicas (USA) and Mikayla Neilsen (NZL), Youth Olympic Games medalists Alois Knabl (AUT) and Kelly Whitley (USA) and Ashleigh Gentle (AUS), who is quickly climbing the elite ranks.
Read more: Triathlon.org