KET joins international triathlon series

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KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna Extreme Triathlon (KET) has entered into a long-term partnership with four international extreme triathlons across Europe, forming a new Extreme Triathlon Series, while also announcing a potential team-up with IronMan SA, albeit only for the 2020 race.

The KET was first held in 2018, and with the third edition of the race set to take place on 21 November this year, organiser and cofounder Sean Sandiford announced at the beginning of June that the race would be embarking on an ambitious project in partnership with four European extreme triathlon races from this year onward.

This project is the Extreme Triathlon Series which, along with the KET, is a five-part series that includes races from the Czech Republic, Austria, Spain, and Italy.

It all started in Austria
For Sandiford, it started with his personal participation in the Austria race. "A few years back I entered the Austria Extreme and loved every moment of it, even if it was through tears of pain and agony," he said.

With the KET receiving assistance from Austria, eventually, the possibility of a collaboration between the two races dawned, and soon enough others were on board. "A few months after talking with Austria, the organiser of the Pirene Extreme Triathlon in Spain got in touch with Austria suggesting a new and exciting series," he explained.

"We all then got onto a call with the other two extreme triathlons (Winterman – Czech Republic and StoneBrixiaMan – Italy) and the concept of the Extreme Triathlon Series was created," he explained.

Knysna Extreme Triathlon cofounder Sean Sandiford. Photos: Blake Linder

Sandiford believes the new series will greatly benefit KET in the long run. "KET is in a unique situation as it falls in Europe's autumn/winter months, so those athletes are looking for something to do in that time. With the new XTRI Series, KET will be exposed to all the Northern Hemisphere athletes and the numbers will grow as word spreads."

They have also created a unique trophy for the series which athletes need to "build" by completing each of the founding races.

Wedging forward
The organiser stated that the series would "hopefully grow" and more races would join, but in order to complete the trophy athletes would need five "wedges" that are placed onto a circular template. Over and above the trophy, finishers of the series will be recorded in the Hall of Fame and also receive an XTRI Finisher shirt, bag and free entry into any race in the series.

Photo gallery: Knysna Extreme Triathlon (KET)

"The idea is to get athletes to push themselves further and harder and take part in other extreme triathlons, and complete all five races in the series within a three-year period," Sandiford said.

The finishers of last year's KET.

He also announced that they are close to launching a new concept with IronMan SA, named "The Double". "Since IronMan has moved their race to the weekend before KET, we are launching an idea where if an athlete does the Ironman and KET the following weekend, they will get a very special finisher shirt and medal," Sandiford said. "It's probably the only time that this will happen as IronMan will move their race to their usual date after this year."

For Sandiford and the other organisers, being part of an international series is "a privilege and you learn a lot from their experiences and ideas". He also said that they hope to get the community involved this year. "We would love the Knysna community to embrace the event, come out and be part of the whole experience, and to support the different athletes and welcome them to our beautiful town."

The Knysna Extreme Triathlon finisher's medal will be replaced by a new wedge medal.