Zwift Triathlon Academy Returns For 2020

Zwift, the online training platform for triathletes, runners and cyclists worldwide, today announces the return of the Zwift Academy. For the first time this year, the Zwift Academy program will offer three distinct variants for tri, run and road. The search for the new and exciting Zwift Academy Tri Team begins with online registration opening on September 8th.

“Zwift Academy is bigger and better this year, with three exciting variants for triathletes, runners and cyclists, all running this fall”, says Eric Min, Zwift CEO and Co-Founder. “The Zwift Academy Tri program will offer comprehensive bike and run training workouts for the Zwift community. It presents a great opportunity for people like myself to take on a new challenge and improve fitness. For a select few there’s a special chance to join the Zwift Academy Tri team in 2021 and in my opinion, receive the very best support any triathlete could wish for.”

At the heart of the Zwift Academy Tri program is an 8-week training program designed by Dr. Dan Plews. Dan is not just a world-class coach, but also the IRONMAN World Championship Age Group Kona course record holder. The program consists of ten workouts, five bike and five run, that may either be completed solo, by selecting the workout from Zwift’s workout library, or as part of a Zwift Academy Tri Group Workout. The workout program has been designed to improve on the skills required to be a successful triathlete and will allow the coaches to uncover the physical attributes of those seeking a place on the Zwift Academy Tri Team in 2021.

In addition to the structured training sessions, those wishing to graduate from the program and make themselves available for selection must also complete a Zwift Academy Tri run race and a Zwift Academy Tri time trial race. Zwifters will have the choice between a 5km or a 10km run and a 20km or 40km time trial race with either distance counting towards graduation.

Those wishing to make the Zwift Academy Tri Team must graduate from the program by December 23rd. Finalists will be selected and announced in the new year before the final team is unveiled in early 2021.  The team itself will have eyes fully focused on the IRONMAN World Championships in Kona, and Zwift will once again be following the team on their journey through qualifications to all the action on race day on the Big Island.

The team will once again benefit from some incredible support from some of the sport’s best brands. Specialized return for a third year and will be supplying the team with bikes, shoes, helmets, and money-can’t-buy performance experiences. Wahoo also returns for the third year as official trainer partner, providing the full Wahoo ecosystem. WHOOP joins for the first year as official performance and recovery partner. ROKA will provide eyewear and the complete swim apparel and equipment package for the team while Science in Sport will be ensuring the team stays fuelled with sports nutrition. In addition, the team will also benefit from invaluable guidance from returning Zwift Academy Tri team mentors, Tim Don and Sarah True.

“I’ve really missed the Zwift Academy Tri team this year, so I can’t wait to get involved and meet the new team in 2021,” says Sarah True, Zwift Academy Tri Team mentor. “This year has been incredibly hard mentally – especially for amateur athletes who had to somehow maintain the drive and passion to train while also juggling the stresses of real life and work. It will be more important than ever to support these athletes as they return to racing at a high-level next year to not only ensure they perform, but also to help them maintain the passion and love of the sport.”

Registration for the Zwift Academy Tri program opens on September 8th online and in-game on September 28th with the training program running from October 29th – December 23rd. For more information, head to zwift.com/zatri

For more information on the Zwift Academy Road and Run programs, head to zwift.com/academy