Dubai - new player in professional triathlon

Tri-Dubai has implemented some unusual characteristics in the team concept within the sport of triathlon. In addition to creating exposure for the primary sponsor, the City of Dubai, the team will also partner with local charities at major races.

"We have a pretty cool program in place to reward charities based on the success of our athletes at competitions. When Tri-Dubai wins, the charity wins too," said Michael Yux, Director of Athlete Relations.

Team Tri Dubai, via an insurance policy, donates pre-set amounts of cash based on their athletes success's at major competitions. This allotment of the total team budget is part of the grand marketing plan, which allows the team name to become recognized outside of the sport specific industry of triathlon, one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

Poised to become the world leader in this growing sport, Tri Dubai is breaking all barriers in terms of establishing new standards in the business of long distance triathlon events, known around the globe as ironman.

"Tri-Dubai wanted to be different than other well established teams, such as Timex or Degree, by allowing the athletes to maintain all of their existing, individual sponsorship relationships (i.e. uniform branding opportunities) with other companies that have supported them in the past. We didn't just buy the whole uniform - every athlete has their own sponsors for bikes, clothing, sunglasses, etc, thus we are creating exposure for those companies too. All parties involved benefit from exposure and this will help grow the sport and the tri-industry," said Franko Vatterott, founder of The Human Interest Group.

Under the patronage of His Highness General Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, Tri-Dubai will also be utilizing the athletes of Tri-Dubai to help build their national endurance athlete program via training camps and clinics.

Chris Legh, world-class Australian triathlete, said of his association with the Tri-Dubai team: "It is a privilege to be involved with a team of this calibre. This has to be one of the greatest things to happen within the sport of triathlon. It is fantastic to be involved from the beginning in something which could change the dynamics of our sport and even better to be given the opportunity to support our chosen charities via our own performances.

Legh joins a hand-picked, elite group of international triathletes, all equally excited about the prospects for the 2005 racing season. Tri-Dubai's roster for their inaugural season includes triathlon greats Peter Reid and Heather Fuhr, Canada; Tim and Nicole DeBoom, USA; Joanna Lawn and Cameron Brown, New Zealand; Chris Legh and Kate Major, Australia; Simon Lessing, UK; and current world champion Normann Stadler, Germany.

Tri-Dubai's first major race event was Ironman New Zealand on March 5, 2005. Team Management feels very satisfied with the Season Opener as their two Kiwi athletes not only won the event in front of the home fans, but set the course record as well.

The partner charity for this race was Cystic Fibrosis (CF) of New Zealand.

"Thus with Brown and Lawn's victories, Tri-Dubai made a substantial donation to CF; making this the perfect start to our Inaugural Season", says Yux.

"It was a huge honour to be selected for the Tri-Dubai triathlon team, not just because of the athletes assembled in the team, some of which I have looked up to throughout my triathlon career but for what the team will try and achieve; it won't be just about winning races for the athletes but part of it will be supporting some of the most deserving charities, one of which I have an official association with," said Brown.
"Two-time World Ironman Champion Tim DeBoom is also psyched about the Tri-Dubai concept, "It means so much for Nicole and I to be involved with a team like this. It's an opportunity to be a part of something that could potentially change our sport and make an impact globally as well. We are always looking for ways to give back, and that's what this team is all about.

Triathlon has needed this for so long. It's exciting to see the quality of athletes that are involved, and that we can now call teammates."
Four-time world Olympic distance champion Simon Lessing shares his enthusiasm.

"I am really excited to be part of the 2005 Tri-Dubai Team. In keeping with the individual identity of our sport, Tri-Dubai has enabled the best Ironman athletes in the world to unite and race together under one common banner. "I am sure that with the innovative concept of Team Tri-Dubai and the personalities involved, we will be excellent representation of a dynamic city (Dubai) that is truly committed to making a difference."