The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has unveiled the dates and host cities for the 2012 ITU Triathlon World Cup and World Championship Series.
Wrapped around the London 2012 Olympic Games, the world's top triathletes will battle for the ITU World Championship titles in an eight-city global series staged on four continents, including a stop in triathlon's birthplace - San Diego, California, USA.
The ITU World Champions will be decided in Auckland at the 2012 Grand Final. It marks the third time New Zealand will host the crown jewel on the ITU calendar. Previously the Triathlon World Championships were in Queenstown in 2003 and Wellington in 1994.
All elite women's and men's races will be broadcast live to an international audience and streamed online live. In 2011, the series was broadcast in more than 160 countries.
Meanwhile, the World Cup Series will travel to nine familiar host cities on four continents.
"Next year will mark the 22nd season of the ITU's flagship series," said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC member.
"The ITU Triathlon World Cup Series has travelled to more than 30 different countries on all five continents since 1991 and it continues to showcase the world's top triathletes, from the sport's legends and Olympic medallists to the World Champions of tomorrow."
2012 ITU Triathlon World Championship Series
April 14-15: Sydney, Australia
May 12-13: San Diego, USA
May 26-27: Madrid, Spain (final event in Olympic qualifying)
June 23-24: Kitzbühel, Austria
July 21-22: Hamburg, Germany
August 25-26: Lausanne, Switzerland (includes ITU Team Triathlon World Championships)
September 29-30: Yokohama, Japan
Grand Final – October 20-22: Auckland, New Zealand
2012 ITU Triathlon World Cup Series
March 24-25: Mooloolaba, Australia
April 22: Ishigaki, Japan
May 6-7: Huatulco, Mexico
June 17: Banyoles, Spain
July 1: Guatape, Colombia
July 8: Edmonton, Canada
July 15: Tiszaujvaros, Hungary
September 22: Tongyeong, South Korea
October 7: Cancun, Mexico
