Questions

August 24 to September 7, 2026, for the 2027 season. If you're new and know a team member, have them refer you.

Shortly after applications close on September 7. The team is announced on September 10, so you'll know before then. We contact successful applicants by email, and there'll be a social post telling you to go and check. If you're unsure either way, email boss@cupcakecartel.org.

No. A big part of maintaining a positive team culture is making sure we have the right mix of people. It's important to us to choose athletes who fit our fun and inclusive nature and who share the triathlon addiction. It's not about speed. It's about fit.

Membership runs annually, September 2026 to September 2027. The application window is the only time you can join. We don't accept members through the rest of the year, though if you find us late it's always worth getting in touch.

A 12-month membership is AUD $270 · USD $190 · CAD $250 · NZD $290. Your local price may vary slightly with exchange rates.

The annual fee is what allows us to keep delivering a truly premium experience for our athletes. It covers the dedicated, round-the-clock support from Alise and Cal, who live and breathe this team every single day. From handling admin and logistics to creating opportunities for connection, racing and growth, this fee is what lets us nurture the community that makes the team so special.

It also funds the team pack, along with key expenses like travel and event support, so our captains can be present at races representing and supporting you on the ground. In 2025 we sent captains to five events and covered all their travel costs and meals so they could be there for the team. Behind the scenes we're constantly working to create value for our athletes and sponsors, building partnerships, securing benefits and making sure you get the most out of being part of the team.

This is our full-time focus: responding to emails, facilitating support, showing up at events and going the extra mile so every athlete feels connected, cared for and proud to wear the kit. The membership fee isn't an admin charge. It's an investment in the experience, support and community that make The Cupcake Cartel what it is.

Roughly 49% of the current team is from the United States and Canada. Australia is the next largest contingent, followed by New Zealand, and we have a small but very loyal number of Cuppies across Asia and Europe. There's a globe on the home page if you want to spin it.

We use fixed rate shipping to keep costs affordable wherever you are, and we run both North American and Australian returns portals so any return shipping stays as cheap as possible.

Yes. If you simply want to be part of the team, saddle up the horse and jump on. Several of our biggest supporters are former athletes who still want to be involved in some capacity, and you'll still be entitled to full athlete benefits. We release plenty of supporter apparel each year so you can represent proudly.

No. We have athletes of all abilities. Some are speedier than others, and some get great bang for their buck by being out on the course a good deal longer. There's no qualifying time and there never will be.

Yes, and you'll get a ton of benefit from it. Beginners are a big part of who we are, and there's always someone a few steps ahead of you who remembers exactly what your first race felt like.

Yes, you absolutely can. That said, once you experience the support we offer and get your hands on the gear, we have a feeling you might find yourself leaning more towards The Cupcake Cartel.

We want you to love being part of an exciting, innovative team. To feel like you belong to something bigger than yourself, in a sport that's often individual. To wear our kit with pride and represent the Cupcake Cartel both on and off the racecourse.

Look out for your teammates and support them online, cheer them on in person and lift them up during the tough patches. Celebrate their wins as if they were your own. Together we're building a genuine team environment, and a brand you can be proud of.

So, are you ready to be part of something special?

No, there's absolutely no obligation to buy the team race kit. Everyone's situation is different. That said, wearing the latest kit does make you a lot easier to spot on race day, and there are plenty of opportunities through the year to grab CUPCKE Apparel and other fun designs.

We strongly encourage athletes to wear the team kit for at least three races per year, especially at targeted team events. If you're on another team that requires you to wear their kit, you should consider picking one team or the other. We want athletes who want to wear the kit and recognise each other on race day. It also makes it far easier for us to support you from the sidelines and to celebrate you on social media.

We run an exchange window once everyone has received their team kit. We cater for everyone from 2XS through to 7XL. Surplus kit then goes on sale once exchanges close in February.

No. Race whatever distance you choose, and we support all of them equally. We do get behind the IRONMAN TriClub global competition, which covers both IRONMAN 70.3 and IRONMAN events. It's global, and everyone who finishes scores points, so it's a great way to feel part of the competition no matter what speed you race at.

Team packs ship in January 2027. The team is announced on September 10, right after applications close.

Alise Selsmark and Callum Millward, who founded the Cartel in 2018. Both are former professional triathletes and both still race in the same age-group fields as the members, Alise in W40-44 and Callum in M40-44. More about them here.

Yes. We launched Cartel Coaching in May 2026. Head to cartelcoaching.com for more information. Team members get VIP pricing.

Members receive 10–40% off some of the best brands in triathlon: Garmin, ROKA, KASK, Quintana Roo, Hyperice, Normatec, Profile Design, HED, Scicon, FORM, BOCO Gear, ISM, Zealios and Omius among them. The full list of sponsor codes is emailed to you when your membership begins.