The Collins Cup in pictures: relive all the action from Slovakia

Team Europe emerged victorious at the first-ever Collins Cup (triathlon’s answer to the Ryder Cup) last weekend, but the race was far from the procession many thought it would be.

Lucy Charles-Barclay, Emma Pallant-Browne and Kat Matthews secured vital wins in the women’s races, accounting for half of Team Europe’s victories.

But those first-place finishes came among upsets that included middle-distance newcomer Taylor Knibb (USA) beating number one ranked Daniela Ryf (EUR) and Jackie Hering (INT) springing a surprise by beating current Ironman world champion Anne Haug (EUR).

Wins for Jan Frodeno, Gustav Iden and Daniel Baekkegard helped clinch victory for Team Europe, while Lionel Sanders, Braden Currie and Jackson Laundry’s first-place finishes failed to be enough to pull Team International into second overall.

Aside from the upsets, the weather played its part in the day too, with heavy rain showers causing slick roads and multiple crashes.

These included the Internationals’ Sanders and Sam Appleton, a bloodied and bruised Holly Lawrence, and New Zealand’s Kyle Smith, who saw one of his time-trial handlebars snap off and his bike get stuck in a 58-11 gear.

Relive the day’s action through the gallery below.

Top image credit: James Mitchell/PTO

Rob Slade

About

Rob Slade was 220 Triathlon's Content Editor between April 2021 and September 2024, but still contributes occasionally. He was previously editor of Adventure Travel magazine and has been testing gear for 10 years. Always up for an adventure, he's motivated by good views and regularly uses the scenery as an excuse for taking so long to complete events. While he may lack speed, he always retains his positive disposition, probably because he knows a pint will be waiting for him at the end.