The latest PTO World Rankings have been released after that huge weekend of racing headlined by the inaugural PTO Canadian Open in Edmonton.
Gustav Iden and Ashleigh Gentle claimed massive victories after two thrilling races (along with $100k pay cheques). And the results had ramifications for next month’s Collins Cup in Samorin too.
Kristian Blummenfelt retains top spot in the men’s rankings after that remarkable recovery to finish a relatively close second behind his great Norwegian friend and rival in Edmonton.
At one stage on the run it appeared the Olympic and IRONMAN World Champion was about to DNF as he suffered from cramp.
But as he referenced in his post-race interview, Blummenfelt understood the importance of ranking points (and a $70k second prize) as he somehow got back into top gear to claim second place.
Kristian Blummenfelt finished second in Edmonton [Pic: PTO Canadian Open]
The win in Canada did though allow Iden to pass two-time Kona king Patrick Lange in the rankings to move up to second spot. Norwegian 1-2s are a familiar story now.
German great Jan Frodeno, currently trying to get back to full fitness after that recent DNF at Challenge Roth, drops a massive 84 places from #8 to #92.
Other movers and shakers on the back of Edmonton are France’s Sam Laidlow (fourth), who goes up from 20 to 11 in the rankings. Australia’s Max Neumann also cracks the top 20 – in at 13 after an eighth-place finish in Canada.
Ashleigh up to #8
The big story this week of course is Gentle after that terrific victory in Edmonton. She moves up to #8 from a pre-race #17 after that fine run to glory in Canada.
Another big mover in the latest rankings is American Chelsea Sodaro, up to 11 from 20 after her excellent third-place finish behind Gentle in Edmonton. Paula Findlay – second in Edmonton – moves up from #10 to #7.
One big mover down is Britain’s Lucy Charles-Barclay, inactive all year due to that stress fracture of the hip. She drops out of the top 5 and all the way down to #46.
How do the PTO Rankings work?
This is not just about kudos – the athletes are fighting it out for a bonus pool worth a cool $2million in the ‘Race For The Rankings’. This will be dished out based on rankings at the end of 2022.
Each athlete has a points total which is an average of their three best races during the ranking period.
Without becoming too technical and explaining the algorithm in detail, an athlete’s score for a single race is based around their time – and not finishing position. The base is 100 points and the variance below or above depends on their time compared to what the PTO calls the ‘Ideal Time’ for that specific race.
As for which races are points-eligible, within reason it brings in any non-drafting race which has at least a minimum professional prize pool and is greater than Olympic distance.
Current PTO Rankings – Men
The leading men – as of July 25, 2022 – are as follows:
1. Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) 115.082. Gustav Iden (NOR) 110.883. Patrick Lange (GER) 110.074. Magnus Ditlev (DEN) 108.195. Lionel Sanders (CAN) 107.626. Braden Currie (NZL) 104.077. Daniel Bækkegård (DEN) 103.738. Florian Angert (GER) 101.939. Matt Hanson (USA) 99.7210. Sam Long (USA) 99.6211. Sam Laidlow (FRA) 98.8212. Denis Chevrot (FRA) 98.5613. Max Neumann (AUS) 98.0514. Rudy Von Berg (FRA) 97.6715. Leon Chevalier (FRA) 97.0516. Joe Skipper (GBR) 96.48 17. Chris Leiferman (USA) 95.8218. Jackson Laundry (CAN) 95.7519. Ben Kanute (USA) 95.5020. Kristian Hogenhaug (DEN) 95.49
Current PTO Rankings – Women
The leading women – as of July 25, 2022 – are as follows:
1. Daniela Ryf (SUI) 120.682. Anne Haug (GER) 119.813. Laura Philipp (GER) 117.214. Kat Matthews (GBR) 111.225. Taylor Knibb (USA) 106.266. Skye Moench (USA) 105.507. Paula Findlay (CAN) 104.548. Ashleigh Gentle (AUS) 101.029. Emma Pallant-Browne (GBR) 100.4410. Fenella Langridge (GBR) 99:4611. Chelsea Sodaro (USA) 99.1812. Holly Lawrence (GBR) 96.3113. Jackie Hering (USA) 96.1714. Lisa Norden (SWE) 94.57 15. Heather Jackson (USA) 94.3816. Nicola Spirig (SUI) 92.9317. Tamara Jewett (CAN) 92.3718. Jocelyn McCauley (USA) 92.0219. Ruth Astle (GBR) 91.8420. Ellie Salthouse (AUS) 91.38
PTO 2022 Race For The Rankings
Like we said, the PTO will dish out $2million at the end of the year based on the final rankings positions of pro athletes.
Final PTO Rankings for 2021
The final rankings for 2021 saw Charles-Barclay and Iden top their respective lists, both claiming a bumper $100k bonus in the process.
You can check out the final 2021 PTO Rankings by clicking here.
Originally posted on TRI247.com. Click here to Read More.