World Triathlon Corporation World Triathlon Corporation The World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) is a business corporation, owned by Chinese conglomerate Wanda Group, that produces the Ironman Triathlon, Ironman 70.3, the 5150 series of triathlon races, and other sports events. WTC owns "Ironman"−related trademarks. In 1990, Dr. James P. Gills, with the help of Lew Friedland, acquired and purchased the Hawaii Triathlon Corporation, owner of the Ironman Brand, for $3 million from Valerie Silk. With the Ironman brand, Gills established the World Triathlon Corporation with the intention of furthering the sport of triathlon and increasing prize money for triathletes. Ben Fertic, formerly Vice President of
World Triathlon Corporation As a result, Challenge terminated its contract with USM and Challenge Cairns subsequently became Ironman Cairns. The purchase of USM Events expands WTC's Asia-Pacific triathlon market. The purchase would have placed WTC into International Triathlon Union racing with the Sydney WTS race, but government officials in New South Wales took the option of not extending an agreement to continue staging the Sydney event due to the ongoing logistical and financial investment required. In June 2013, WTC purchased YWC Sports, a private company that organizes triathlons and endurance sport events in Denmark. YWC Sports was contracted by the Challenge Family to