CHALLENGE Daytona Draws Impressive Pro Field

Friday 07 December 2018
An impressive international field of professional triathletes will assemble on the CHALLENGE DAYTONA Middle Distance start line at Daytona International Speedway. These world-class, fiercely competitive athletes are eager to cross the checkered-flag finish line and lay claim to the first triathlon titles ever awarded at the “World Center of Racing.”
 
The Men’s Field
Among the professional men are a number of the sport’s top cyclists, including two-time Kona-course-record-crusher Cameron Wurf (AUS). Wurf is ready to push the pace in a battle royale against the rest of the men. His competition includes uber-biker Andrew Starykowicz (USA), known for his all-out aggressive racing style. Equally powerful podium contenders are top Americans Andy Potts (USA), a two-time Olympian and World Champion, and Matt Russell (USA), who finished sixth in the world in Hawaii, just one year after a life-threatening accident.
 
Kevin Collington(USA) and Jarrod Shoemaker (USA) both hail from ITU (Olympic-distance, draft-format) racing backgrounds. Collington, a collegiate swimmer, has found his niche in long-course triathlon, scoring a U.S. Pro Championship title in 2013 and earning multiple podium finishes. Shoemaker, an Olympian and multi-time World and U.S. National Champion in ITU triathlon and duathlon, known best for his run prowess, is sure to turn in a blistering half marathon at CHALLENGE DAYTONA.
 
Adding interest to the men’s field is Dylan McNeice (NZL). McNeice is no stranger to victory at CHALLENGE FAMILY events, owning numerous titles including CHALLENGE WANAKA Champion and CHALLENGE TAIWAN Champion. Either McNeice or Potts, both supremely swift swimmers, are likely to celebrate being first out of the water at Daytona International Speedway’s Lake Lloyd. Another CHALLENGEFAMILY race regular is Pieter Heemeryck (BEL), victorious at CHALLENGE GERAARDSBERGEN and CHALLENGE SARDINIA 2018 and also in the running for a top finish in the 2018 CHALLENGE FAMILY World Bonus ranking.
 
Also among the top professional men is Peter Kotland (USA), a 20-year veteran of the pro ranks with a collection of titles in marathon and full and ultra-distance triathlon, including the Ultraman World Championship. He’s joined by pros Steve Zawaski (USA) and Ricky Flynn (USA), both of whom balance traditional careers in addition to pursuing their triathlon passions.
 
The Women’s Field
Headlining the women’s professional field are a number of notable contenders, a trio of whom have transitioned from ITU racing to long-course success and commonly compete against one another, racing toe-to-toe. Sarah Haskins (USA) represented Team USA at the 2008 Olympics, then went on to win gold at the 2011 Pan American Games. Now, a multi-time triathlon champion and mother of two, she’s ready to put her experience to the test at Daytona International Speedway. She’ll face two of her fiercest rivals in fellow ITU alums Alicia Kaye (USA), a Florida local, and Lauren Goss (USA). Both women own numerous Olympic and middle-distance triathlon titles and are among the fastest in the field.
 
Also contending for the title is Meredith Kessler (USA). No woman’s place on the podium is ever secure when Kessler steps up to the start line. Known for her prolific racing and winning, as well as her gritty, never-give-up approach, Kessler holds both middle and full distance titles in the double digits. Her 2018 season has marked a return to sport with added motivation since the birth of her baby boy in November 2017. Given the swim prowess of Kessler, Haskins, Kaye, and Goss, the battle will be on between these women from the very first stroke.
 
Another phenom among the professional women is Lisa Roberts (USA), a former collegiate cross-country and track star who now claims four full-distance triathlon titles, including CHALLENGE VENICE. Roberts is a frequent CHALLENGE FAMILY competitor, currently ranked third in the 2018 CHALLENGE FAMILY World Bonus standings. Pro Kelly O'Mara (USA) joined the professional ranks in 2017 after scoring the overall amateur women's victory at the storied Wildflower Triathlon in 2016. She now balances her time between training, racing, and reporting for numerous media outlets, including Triathlete Magazine.

FEMALE PRO:
1 Lauren Goss US
2 Alicia Kaye US
3 Meredith Kessler US
4 Lisa Roberts US
6 Elizabeth Nyitray US
7 Kelly O'Mara US
8 Laura Mathews US
9 Marion Tuin NL
10 Sarah Haskins US

MALE PRO:
21 Andy Potts US
22 Andrew Starykowicz US
23 Dylan Mcneice NZ
25 Peter Kotland US
26 Ricky Flynn US
27 Brandon Krout US
29 Robert Duncan US
30 Yorlliry Moreno US
31 John Braconnier US
32 Taylor Reid CA
33 Yunior Rosete US
34 Tim Russell US
35 Jarrod Shoemaker US
36 Chris Standidge GB
37 Kevin Collington US
38 Steven Zawaski US
39 Mathieu Bilodeau CA
40 Jorge Fuentes MX
41 Sam Proctor GB
42 Pieter Heemeryck BE
43 Jacob Rhyner US
44 Matthew Russell US
45 Cameron Wurf AU
46 John Kenny US
47 Santiago Ascenco BR
48 Davide Giardini US
CHALLENGE Family


Coming Triathlon Events View all

Frysman

Reaklif, Warns, Netherlands

Laponia Triathlon

Gällivare, Sweden

Stone Extreme

Lago d'Iseo / Passo Paradiso, Italy

Swedeman Xtreme

Östernoren, Sweden

Odyssey

St Neots, United Kingdom

Challenge Roth

Roth, Germany

Altriman

les Angles, Pyrenees, France

eagleXman

Assergi, Italy

TriBourne 226

Eastbourne, United Kingdom

Kaike triathlon

Yonago, Tottori, Japan

Ironman Vitoria Gasteiz

Vitoria Gasteiz, Spain

Ironman Lake Placid

Lake Placid, United States

Ironman Leeds

Leeds, United Kingdom

Ironman Canada Ottawa

Ottowa, Canada

Ironman Kalmar Sweden

Kalmar, Sweden

Ironman Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark

Ironman Tallinn

Tallinn, Estonia

Ironman Switzerland

Thun, Switzerland

Ironman Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Ironman Japan South Hokkaido

Hokkaido, Japan

Tri Tour El Pont de Suert

El Pont de Suert, Spain

La Tour Geneve

Geneve, Switzerland

Garmin Tri Tour Elblag

Elblag, Poland

Great White North

Hubbles Lake, Alberta, Canada

Outlaw Half Holkham

Holkham Hall, Norfolk, United Kingdom

Oravaman

Zuberec, Slovakia

Cotswold Classic

Ashton Keynes, United Kingdom

Door Country Half

Egg Harbor, WI, United States

Garmin Tri Tour Sycow

Sycow, Poland

Sourdough Triathlon

Chatanika, Alaska, United States

70.3 Muskoka

Huntsville, Ontario, Canada

70.3 Jonkoping

Jönköping, Sweden

70.3 Muncie

Muncie, Indiana, United States

70.3 Luxembourg

Remich, Luxembourg

70.3 Swansea

Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom

70.3 Musselman

Geneva NY, United States

70.3 Ohio

Sandusky, United States

70.3 Oregon

Salem OR, United States

70.3 Ecuador

Manta, Ecuador

70.3 Boise

Boise Idaho, United States

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

IRONMAN Announces New Performance-Based Age-Group Qualification System for World Championships

IRONMAN Announces New Performance-Based Age-Group Qualification System for World Championships

Wednesday 02 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

IRONMAN, the global leader in triathlon, today announced a new performance-based age group qualification system for its IRONMAN World Championship® and IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship events, beginning with the 2026 qualifying cycle. Based on extensive research, testing, and feedback from athletes, the new qualifying system is designed to reward athletes based entirely on how competitive they are relative to their age group and gender. more

Marten van Riel & Jess Learmonth Win 70.3 Nice France

Marten van Riel & Jess Learmonth Win 70.3 Nice France

Sunday 29 Jun 2025 [Triathlon News]

Van Riel's Dominance: Marten Van Riel controlled the men's race from the swim, building a significant lead on the bike and maintaining it through the run. This win also qualified him for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Marbella. Michele Bortolamedi (ITA) finished second, and Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen (DEN) took third. more

Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) Claims Second European Title at Thrilling 21st Edition IRONMAN Frankfurt

Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) Claims Second European Title at Thrilling 21st Edition IRONMAN Frankfurt

Sunday 29 Jun 2025 [Triathlon News]

The IRONMAN European Championship for professional men took place in Frankfurt today, making the 11th race of the IRONMAN Pro Series. In a nail-biting race right up to the bitter end, it was Norwegian Kristian Blummenfelt who took the tape, claiming his second straight win in Frankfurt, and second regional IRONMAN Championship title this year. more

Kaindland & Jansen Win CHALLENGE Kaiserwinkl Walchsee

Kaindland & Jansen Win CHALLENGE Kaiserwinkl Walchsee

Sunday 29 Jun 2025 [Triathlon News]

A tough and hot day of racing in the Austrian Alps saw career-defining wins for Austrian Olympian, Tjebbe Kaindl, and Laura Jansen (GER) as they both took their first professional wins over the middle distance in 3:46:19 and 4:15:15 respectively. The pro women kicked the day off with Therese Feuersinger (AUT) dominating the swim in 24:13, posting the fastest swim split of the day, more

IRONMAN Pro Series Frankfurt MPRO Start List

IRONMAN Pro Series Frankfurt MPRO Start List

Friday 27 Jun 2025 [Triathlon News]

On 29 June, the city of Frankfurt, Germany will host the men’s IRONMAN® European Championship triathlon. As one of the oldest and most prestigious races on the circuit, the city will once again welcome a world class professional field, made up of three IRONMAN World Champions, the full 2024 IRONMAN World Championship podium, and last year’s IRONMAN Frankfurt European Championship podium. more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.