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The International Triathlon Union (ITU) announced today that it will increase its top-level prize money this season to $3.5-million USD, double the amount awarded in previous years. The announcement of the dramatic funding increase comes on the brink of the launch of the new premier triathlon series, the "Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Series"

With support from new partners and sponsors, the Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Series, coupled with the ITU Triathlon World Cup series, will offer a record prize purse and the season-ending bonus pool will be three-times greater in 2009 than in previous years.

"We continue to gain interest from sponsors and partners and our results heading into our first season are very positive," said Paul Coleman, ITU Director of the series. "At a time when other sports are facing significant funding difficulties, it is very encouraging to see that we are in a position to offer such a significant increase in prize money.''

Each world championship series event will have a maximum of 65 women and 65 men while the Grand Finale will be capped at 75 women and 75 men. Each National Federation can have a maximum of six women and six men competing in the elite events. Athletes will be entered by their National Federations and entered into the start list primarily based on their ranking.

ITU has partnered with SPORTFIVE and UPSOLUT, companies of French media conglomerate, Lagardère Group, to deliver this exciting venture. Close to $20-million USD is being invested into the new series.

The excitement of the Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Series begins on May 10 in Singapore where the series kicks off. Following the launch, the series shifts to Madrid and then to Washington DC, where athletes will have the opportunity to race by the historic White House and U.S. Capitol Building. From Washington, the series moves to Europe for events in Kitzbuehel, Hamburg and London, where athletes will get their first taste of the 2012 Olympic Games venue. After a stop in Yokohama, Japan, the series culminates at the Gold Coast of Australia for the Grand Final, where athletes will vie for double points and stake their claim for a share of the $700,000 bonus pool.

(Source: ITU)