Every pro triathlete who aims to get qualified for the 2019 Ironman World Championships and also Ironman 70.3 World Championships who will take place in Kona, Hawaii will no longer have to accumulate points but can earn slots through a new, slot system.
This change goes along with the global age group system. These slots will be available for both, the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events on the pro calendar for the respective global world Championships competitions.
The guaranteed slot allocations, from now on, will be equal in number for both, male and female pro triathletes. Additional slots will be also allocated to events regarding the number of pro starters who will take place on a particular Ironman or Ironman 70.3 race that can qualify the patricians for the main event in Kona.
BREAKING: Next year will see slot-based allocation return to pro qualifying for the IRONMAN World Championship and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.https://t.co/DsPbOo925h pic.twitter.com/IFttsg93uQ
— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) December 20, 2017
A minimum of one slot for both, men and women…
On the other hand, the Regional Championship competitions will get the greatest number of qualifying spots of any event on the pro field. While every qualifying Ironman or Ironman 70.3 race will have a minimum of one slot for men and one for women.
“Finishing a top of the podium at an Ironman or Ironman 70.3 event is a great accomplishment. The reward for that should be a place at the starting line at the World Championship events,” Andrew Messick, Ironman Chief Executive Officer said.
“The return to the slot system celebrates our champions and Ironman host communities around the world. It also changes the focus squarely back to recognizing great performances on race day. If you win you are in. Athletes will no longer need to calculate how to plan their race schedule to qualify.”
The qualifying races for the 2019 Ironman World Championship which will be held next year in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i are set to begin on September 9, 2018 with available slots to be awarded at IM Wisconsin and also IM Wales.
While the qualifying process for the 2019 IM 70.3 World Championship will take place in Nice, France. It will begin on July 8, 2018. It’s slots will be awarded at 70.3 Ecuador and also 70.3 Jönköping.
