Nassau, Bahamas
The second annual Island House Invitational Triathlon, will feature a unique three-day race format, 40 of the world’s best professional triathletes and the second-largest prize purse in the world behind the Ironman World Championships. The race will be held in the Bahamas on October 28th through 30th, 2016 at The Island House, Nassau and on the private island of Highbourne Cay, Exuma. World-class athletes from both short and long course backgrounds will go head-to-head in what is becoming known as the most exciting race in the world. The innovative race structure will include individual time trials and races that mix up the traditional triathlon order and distances of swim-bike-run.
This year’s race format and field have been expanded to make the event more exciting than ever. Competitors will compete over three days in various non-drafting events, a departure from last year’s draft-legal racing. This should make for a more exciting match-up and level the playing field between short and long-course competitors. In 2016, the Island House Triathlons feature an elimination format. Forty athletes will compete over the first two days of the event, but only 10 men and 10 women will remain for the final day of racing when the champions will be decided. The 20 finalists will be whisked from Nassau to the private island of Highbourne Cay in a race that literally rewards survival of the “fittest”.
The races will be fast and furious including an Enduro swim/run/bike/swim/run on Day 2. This will be a bonus for the short-course specialists who transition with ease. However, long-course athletes will benefit from the non-drafting three-day endurance format and this year will be armed with their time-trial bike weapons. With these exciting changes, it is impossible to predict who will prevail.
Invitees for this year’s race will include 2016 Olympians and long-course triathlon champions from all parts of the world. Women’s returning champion, Gwen Jorgensen (USA), is confirmed to defend her title at the Island House Invitational following the Rio Olympics. Additional invitations to the top athletes across distances will be made in the coming months with the full roster to be confirmed by October.
It is exciting to see this race develop in its second year and continue to make an impact on professional triathlon. Financier of The Island House and longtime endurance sports supporter, Mark Holowesko says, “I was really happy with the enthusiasm and outcomes surrounding our 2015 race and I’m looking forward to seeing an even better version in 2016.”
Female 2015 Island House Invitational Champion, Gwen Jorgensen says, “The Island House Triathlon was my favorite event last year. After a full season of ITU Olympic Distance racing, I’m looking forward to experiencing this unique event in one of the most beautiful places in the world.”
Race partners and sponsors will be announced in the coming months. This year, the race has partnered with More Than Sport, a non-profit organization driven by athletes, to help make an impact in local Bahamian communities.
A one-hour national TV broadcast will showcase the athletes, the lead-up to the race, the competitors, and the race itself making this a premier event to showcase athletes, sponsors, and the beautiful Bahamas.
To learn more about the race, visit: www.islandhousetriathlon.com
Contact: islandhousetri@gmail.com
