20yrs of ITU: World Cup Success

This week we dive into the record books to look back on the ITU Triathlon World Cup Series' past champions and record-holders. Since 1991 there have been 206 world cups held in all corners of the globe. From Ishigaki, Richards Bay and Kona to New York, Sydney and Paris. Hundreds of the world's top triathletes have raced these events but few have left their mark as deep as these individuals. 20 Years of ITU: Success Over the years triathlon legends have come to establish themselves through magnificent victories, relentless training and consistent success. This week we cast a statistician’s eye over the past twenty years and review the all time best world cup triathlon athletes and the countries they come from. All-Time Career World Cup Wins Australia’s Emma Carney was the long time holder of this accolade with an impressive 19 victories until Portuguese sensation Vanessa Fernandes cruised to her twentieth win at the Madrid World Cup in 2008. Remarkably Fernandes is now on a six year streak having won a World Cup race every year since 2003; however Carney still holds the record for the most World Cup wins in a single season with seven. Fernandes won six races in both 2006 and 2007. On the men’s side another Aussie, Brad Beven, holds a comfortable cushion over retired Kiwi Hamish Carter, veteran Canadian Simon Whitfield and the consistent Spaniard, Javier Gomez. Beven’s 17 wins puts him six wins clear of the trio, however having amassed his 11 victories in just three years, Gomez may yet be the man to take the top spot. Click here to view the full table of world cup leaders All-Time Career World Cup Overall Series Champions As per World Cup wins, both Beven and Carney lead the way in Series Championships. Beven won the crown for four back to back years from 1992 through to 1995, however tied with Canadian Andrew MacMartin in his first year. Gomez is currently on a three year winning streak and will look to equal Bevan’s record in 2009. With two victories to his name lies Australian Greg Bennett. Emma Carney started off an Australian line of dominance when she first won the title in 1995. It wasn’t until Siri Lindley from the USA took overall victory in 2001 that an Aussie failed to collect the trophy. Carney took three victories in as many years starting from 1995. Lindley won back to back titles in 2001 and 2002 with Australia’s Michellie Jones also a double winner in 1998 and 2000. In recent years Vanessa Fernandes added her name to the list of double champions as she took 2006 and 2007 by storm. Click here to view the full table of world cup series winners Brad Beven and Emma Carney on the steps of the Sydney opera house after the win at the 1995 Sydney World Cup World Cup Wins by Country Australia have shown themselves to be the dominant force when it comes to triathlon over the past two decades with 71 male winners and 76 female winners across 205 and 206 races respectively. New Zealand take the runner-up spot on the men’s side with 22 wins with Canada third with 17, one more than Great Britain. With regards to the women, the USA currently lie in second position having amassed 38 female victories, with Canada again in third with 24. Remarkably Portugal take fourth with all of their 20 wins coming from just one athlete – Vanessa Fernandes. As far as World Cup Series winners by nation go, on the men’s side Australia is way out in front with nine champions, however they haven’t won a title since 2003. Javier Gomez boosts Spain into second with three wins ahead of Kazakhstan with two. Australia also head the women’s table with seven, just two ahead of the USA with five with New Zealand and Portugal tying for third with two champions apiece. Click here to view the full table of world cup winners by country Click here to view all the past world cup medallists since the beginning of the ITU Triathlon World Cup Series in 1991 Tune into triathlon.org every Wednesday as ITU celebrates its past by bringing you a series of the best stories, images and video from 1989 to 2009. Interviews and stories from the very people involved in creating these historic moments.