The Social Media Spark That Ignited a Movement

Last week, what should have been a simple throwback moment turned into something closer to a collective demand. The T100's Instagram post featuring Collins Cup 2022 archival images unleashed an immediate and passionate response that surprised even seasoned observers of the sport.

The comments section read like a petition. Paula Findlay wrote, "Again again again." Sam Long was even more direct: "Find back the Collins Cup!!" Jamie Riddle added his voice with "Run it back," while Jackie Hering captured the sentiment perfectly: "We loved it!"

But perhaps the most intriguing response came from Jason West, who floated a concrete concept: "Mid-year Collins Cup in Kona?" This wasn't just nostalgia—it was creative problem-solving from someone who understands both the logistical challenges and the untapped potential.

The response revealed something important: years after its last edition, the Collins Cup still occupies significant space in the imagination of the sport. Athletes and fans didn't just reminisce—they demanded action.

What Made the Collins Cup Special: A Format Revolution

The Collins Cup succeeded because it fundamentally reimagined how professional triathlon could be experienced. Instead of the traditional individual time trial format, it created a team-based rivalry system that generated entirely new dynamics.

The Team Structure That Changed Everything

The three-team format—Europe vs USA vs International—was brilliant in its simplicity. It created natural storylines while giving athletes from smaller triathlon nations a chance to compete alongside superstars. For countries like Canada, having athletes like Lionel Sanders, Paula Findlay, Jackson Laundry, and Tamara Jewett represent Team International elevated the stakes beyond individual achievement.

A Points System That Made Every Position Matter

Unlike traditional racing where only podium positions create drama, the Collins Cup's point system meant margins mattered as much as finishing position. Athletes earned points not just for where they finished, but by how much they beat their direct competitors. This created tactical complexity that kept races exciting even when the winner seemed decided.

The Perfect Racing Distance

The 2km swim, 80km bike, and 18km run format hit a sweet spot: long enough for dramatic reversals and tactical racing, short enough to maintain intensity throughout. This distance allowed for the kind of back-and-forth battles that made for compelling viewing and genuine uncertainty until the final kilometers. For athletes preparing for such intense middle-distance racing, having the right competition triathlon suit can make a significant difference in performance.

Reliving the Magic: 2022 Collins Cup Highlights

The 2022 edition in Samorin, Slovakia, showcased exactly why this format was so special. Thirty-six of the world's best athletes lined up across three teams, and what followed was two days of racing that redefined what professional triathlon could look like.

Women's Performances That Redefined Careers

Daniela Ryf's tactical masterpiece against Flora Duffy demonstrated championship-level race craft, as she patiently closed a significant gap to win her match. Ashleigh Gentle's clutch run performance proved that the format could elevate athletes to career-defining moments under team pressure.

But perhaps most memorable was Paula Findlay delivering one of the most complete performances of her career, using the team format as a platform to showcase her evolution as an athlete. Her race became a statement not just for Team International, but for her own resurgence at the highest level.

Men's Epic Battles That Became Instant Legend

Kristian Blummenfelt's clinical dominance showcased why he was the world's best, dismantling a stacked field with the kind of patient, methodical racing that defined his career. Meanwhile, Gustav Iden's sub-60 minute 18km run provided a glimpse of the speed that would later dominate the sport.

The standout moment, however, was the Sanders-Long-Laidlow trilogy that felt personal from the start. Pre-race tension, mid-race reversals, and a finish that had fans debating tactics and storylines for months afterward—this was sports entertainment at its finest.

The Canadian Connection That Elevated Stakes

For Canadian fans, the event carried special significance. Tamara Jewett used the Collins Cup stage to announce herself, finishing second behind Anne Haug and limiting Team Europe's point haul in a crucial race. Her performance demonstrated how the format could elevate emerging talent alongside established stars.

Team Europe ultimately defended its title with authority, finishing on 53 points, while Team International followed with 38 and Team USA finished with 22.5. But as with all great sporting events, the scoreboard only told part of the story.

Why It Disappeared and the Current Landscape

Then, suddenly, it stopped.

In 2023, the PTO announced the Collins Cup's removal from the calendar, citing "timing and logistical constraints." Rumors of a Morocco venue never materialized, and the sport moved on. The official statement promised the format would return "in the future," but provided no timeline or concrete plans.

Since then, professional triathlon has continued evolving rapidly. The calendar has become increasingly crowded with the growth of the T100 World Tour, while athlete depth has reached unprecedented levels globally. Paradoxically, this growth may actually make a Collins Cup revival more feasible—there are now enough world-class athletes to create truly competitive teams across multiple regions.

The current landscape presents both challenges and opportunities. While calendar congestion remains a real concern, the sport's growth has also created new revenue streams, broadcast partnerships, and fan engagement opportunities that didn't exist during the original Collins Cup era.

Creative Solutions: Reimagining the Collins Cup for 2026

The beauty of the current comeback movement is its creativity. Rather than simply demanding a carbon copy of the previous format, athletes and fans are proposing innovative solutions to the logistical challenges that caused the original hiatus.

Jason West's Kona Concept: A Strategic Masterstroke

West's suggestion of a "mid-year Collins Cup in Kona" deserves serious consideration. Kona already draws the sport's best athletes and carries unmatched significance in triathlon. A team-based event in the lead-up to the world championships could function as both a tactical rehearsal under those specific conditions and a standalone spectacle.

This timing would also address one of the original format's biggest challenges: calendar positioning. Rather than competing with other major events, it would create a natural bridge between the early season and Kona preparation. Athletes training for such high-stakes racing need reliable performance tracking, making tools like the Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS watch essential for monitoring progress.

Olympic Integration and Format Evolution

Others have suggested adapting the Collins Cup concept into Olympic mixed nationality events, similar in energy to the mixed relay but stretched over a longer, more traditional triathlon distance. This could bring the team dynamic to the sport's biggest stage while maintaining individual achievement recognition.

Enhanced Storytelling and Technology Integration

The original Collins Cup was already a masterclass in modern sports storytelling, with structured athlete lead-ins, behind-the-scenes access, and team strategy reveals. A 2026 revival could build on these foundations with improved broadcast technology, enhanced social media integration, and more sophisticated data presentation that brings fans deeper into the tactical elements.

The Business Case for Revival

Beyond the emotional appeals and creative concepts, there's a compelling business argument for bringing back the Collins Cup.

Fan engagement during Collins Cup years demonstrated appetite for alternative formats that create new narratives and viewing experiences. The format's ability to generate storylines beyond individual achievement created content opportunities that extended well beyond race day.

Sponsor interest in team-based formats offers unique activation opportunities that don't exist in traditional individual racing. Team partnerships, nationality-based marketing, and the extended narrative arc provide value propositions that complement existing sponsorship strategies.

Most importantly, the Collins Cup complements rather than competes with existing events. It doesn't dilute individual achievement—it adds another dimension that showcases athlete versatility and creates different types of pressure and excitement. For athletes looking to optimize their performance across different race formats, investing in quality training equipment like a Shimano 21-speed training bike can provide the foundation for success.

The Path Forward: What Revival Would Require

For the Collins Cup to return successfully in 2026, several elements would need to align:

• Venue and timing solutions that work within the current calendar structure while maintaining the event's unique atmosphere and logistical requirements.
• Buy-in from key stakeholders including the PTO, major athletes, and broadcast partners who understand the format's unique value proposition.
• Enhanced production values that build on what worked while incorporating technological improvements that have emerged since 2022. Modern athletes also benefit from advanced training tools and AI-powered training applications that can help them prepare for the unique demands of team-based racing.
• Most importantly, maintaining the authentic team dynamic that made the original events special while adapting to the sport's continued evolution and growth.

Why This Movement Matters

The Collins Cup comeback movement represents something larger than nostalgia for a past event. It demonstrates how team-based competition can reshape professional triathlon, creating new pressures, new storylines, and new ways for fans to connect with the sport.

Professional triathlon has never been stronger individually, but the passionate response to those "Lost Files" photos proves there's still room—and demand—for formats that emphasize collaboration, tactics, and shared achievement alongside individual excellence. Whether you're a professional or an age-grouper inspired by these elite performances, understanding what constitutes good race times can help contextualize these incredible performances.

The question isn't whether the Collins Cup should return. The athletes have already answered that. The question is whether the sport's organizers are listening to what amounts to a collective demand from both competitors and fans for something that made triathlon special in a completely different way.

As Paula Findlay put it so perfectly: "Again again again." Sometimes the simplest statements carry the most weight.

What do you think? Should the Collins Cup make its comeback in 2026? Share your thoughts and memories of this unique format that continues to captivate the triathlon world.