After finishing 3rd in the end-of-year world rankings in 2022 and 2nd in 2023, Magnus Ditlev, 26 years old, has now claimed the coveted top spot following a brilliant first half of the 2024 season, most recently with his third consecutive victory and a new world record at Challenge Roth last Sunday.

This marks the first time a Dane has been ranked as the world's best long-distance triathlete on the world rankings, which are updated weekly by the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO). The rankings consider the three best results of the season in long-distance triathlon, covering races from the 100 km distance through half Ironman up to full Ironman distances. The different races are also ranked, and factors such as the depth of the field and the margin of victory are included in the score when crossing the finish line.

Finishing the year in 1st place comes with a bonus of 100,000 US dollars. The second-place finisher receives 90,000, the third 80,000, and so on down through the top-10.

"It’s a big deal to take the top spot, and it proves that I've had a really good season so far," Magnus Ditlev says. He has been in the top-3 for nearly two years, and in second place for the past year.

"It’s exciting to be ranked number 1, and I also hope to finish the year in first place, but the most important race for me this year is still the IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii on October 26th. That’s the race I dream of winning the most," says the Danish world leader.

Magnus Ditlev’s next race is in just 2.5 weeks when he competes in his third World Championship event in the T100 series, where he has so far achieved one victory and one 4th place, placing him 2nd overall in the World Championship standings. The series has a total of 8 events and a Grand Final in November, where the triathlete with the highest points total wins the World Championship title. The three best results, along with the Grand Final result, count towards the overall standings, where Magnus Ditlev is currently in second place with two scoring races under his belt.

T100 London, Sunday, July 28th - Start list available here.