Ironman eliminates the ranking system and returns to the "slots" system in professionals

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Ironman has just announced that it suspends the Ranking system (KPR) and returns to the “Slots” system to participate in the Ironman World Championship in kona and in Ironman 70.3 in Nice from 2019.

The Slots will be the same for male and female professional athletes, with additional places assigned and distributed according to the number of professionals competing in a test. The regional championships will have a greater number of Slots  than other professional circuit tests. Each IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 qualifying event will have at least one Slot Professional for men and for women.

For the 2019 season, it is expected that number of IRONMAN World Championship Slots is approximately 100, similar to the current total allocation. Based on the professional calendar IRONMAN 70.3 2019 , the current format of 2 days could allow up to 170 athletes professionals competing.

La 5-year qualification exemption for which they have been world champions will remain in force, where a one-year exemption for those who have made podium and an invitation to the IRONMAN 70.3 world champion.

All exemptions are subject to complete a career of the professional circuit Ironman  

“Finishing on the podium in an IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 event is a great achievement and the reward should be a place on the start line at World Championship events,” said Andrew Messick, IRONMAN Executive Director. “

The new system “rewards sports performance rather than the volume of points races, particularly in light of the growing elite athlete population and events around the world in the last 3-4 years,” says Paula Newby-Fraser, IRONMAN Director of Professional Relations . She adds that it also provides the opportunity for new talent, as well as rewarding current athletes.

The regional and seasonal nature of Slots assignments encourages athletes to have a low season. Preserves the longevity of an athlete's career. It is better to address the circumstances of life (injuries, pregnancies, etc.). Athletes can start competing later in the season and with a victory, or a great performance, they can qualify against trying to accumulate the necessary points in a period of 12 months.

The classification process for the IRONMAN 2019 World Championship in Kona, the 9th September 2018 with the system of Slots in IRONMAN Wisconsin and IRONMAN Wales.

Regarding the classification for the IRONMAN 70.3 2019 World Championship in Nice, France, the July 8, 2018 and the slots will be awarded in IRONMAN 70.3 Jönköping e IRONMAN 70.3 Ecuador.

Classification systems KPR and 70.3PR Pro remain valid with respect to the classification for the IRONMAN 2018 World Championship and the 70.3 IRONMAN 2018 World Championship.

Summary

• The first 3 in Kona, have a guaranteed place the following year as long as they validate an Ironman circuit.
• There will be at least 1 slot in each Ironman test, the number of slots varies according to the number of "professionals" registered.
• This system will start to be applied from the Ironman of Wales and Wisconsin in the 2018 year.
• In the 70.3 tests, it will be applied to the IRONMAN 70.3 Jönköping and IRONMAN 70.3 Ecuador.

 More information

Photo: Ironman.com/ Donald Miralle for IRONMAN