April 27, 2021 Newsletter – Supersapiens Closes $13.5 Million
April 27, 2021
EDITOR’S PICKS
Canada latest nation to withdraw from World Athletics Relays due to COVID-19. Athletics Canada has confirmed its withdrawal from the 2021 World Athletics Relays, with it being the latest nation to pull out of the event in Chorzów in Poland. Inside the Games
Pacer makes mid-race decision to run full marathon, wins in 2:11:00. Jake Smith started the race as a pacer, but after his planned exit point, he decided to keep running on a whim, and he carried on to the finish line far ahead of second place and well under the Olympic standard of 2:11:30. Canadian Running Magazine
PTO taps IMG to help secure international broadcast deals. The IMG agency has been appointed to assist in distributing the global media rights to events organised by the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) for the next three years. SportsPro
Outpouring of Support for Daniela Ryf as the World Champ Opens Up About Her Sexuality. In a sweeping interview, Ryf talks about loving a woman, splitting with her coach, and finding a new direction. Triathlete
Skechers’ Profits Surge In First Quarter. Skechers U.S.A., Inc. saw its earnings double in the fourth quarter as sales grew 15%. International Wholesale sales grew 23.8% while direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales jumped 18.1%. SGB Media
PRESS RELEASES
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
The RunnerBox Named to Runner’s World “Best Mother’s Day Gifts for Moms Who Run” List – Runner’s World Magazine, an essential guide for everyone who runs, published the exclusive list which contains 17 gifts to support Moms’ running habits, ranging from active wear and massage tools to running shoes. RunnerBox
BUSINESS
Supersapiens Closes $13.5 Million in Early-Stage Funding – Supersapiens announces a $13.5 million capital raise led by MICA Ventures AG. The new energy management ecosystem, powered by Abbott’s Libre Sense Glucose Sport Biosensor, has secured the largest investment in the sports continuous glucose monitoring space, garnering investment from fitness brands, including Zwift and Wahoo. Supersapiens
CONFERENCES AND TRADESHOWS
RRCA Successfully Hosts First In-Person Running Industry Conference in More than a Year – From April 15-18, over 127 attendees and sponsors from across the country, consisting of club leaders, race directors, RRCA volunteers, and coaches gathered in Orlando, FL. The three day conference consisted of events, education sessions, networking functions, the RRCA Hall of Fame and National Running Awards breakfast and more. RRCA
Outerbike Plans to hold October Bike Demos in Bentonville and Moab – Outerbike, the three-day consumer event dedicated to helping mountain bikers find their perfect bike, announced that they will be running in this year’s Moab, Oct. 1-3, and Bentonville, Oct. 22-24 events. The four previously scheduled events Killington, Crested Butte, Duluth, and South Lake Tahoe, in addition to possible new locations, will return in 2022. Outerbike
EVENTS
2021 Austin Half Marathon Signals Austin’s Successful Return to Running – April 25, the Ascension Seton Austin Half Marathon signaled Austin’s successful return to running, with nearly 5400 registered. Jordan West is the Austin Half Marathon men’s champion with a time of 1:07:31, while Michelle Murray is the Austin Half Marathon female champion finishing in 1:24:21. Austin Half Marathon
Life Time Announces $10,000 in Prize Purse Winnings for 2021 Chequamegon MTB Festival Presented by Trek – Winners of the 2021 Chequamegon MTB Festival will receive a combined total of $10,000 in prize purse winnings. Owned and produced by Life Time, the festival takes place on Sept. 17 in the towns of Cable and Hayward, Wis. Life Time
Live Event Broadcast Coverage Returns To Facebook Watch In 2021, Kicking Off With The Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship In St. George, Utah, Usa On Saturday, May 1 – Available globally to fans on Facebook Watch, the coverage debuts on Saturday, May 1 with the Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN®70.3® North American Championship taking place in St. George, Utah (USA). IRONMAN
USA Cycling Announces Location and Date Changes for Elite, Junior and Para Track Nationals – USA Cycling’s Elite, Junior, and Para Track National Championship has been moved from July 1-7 in Carson, CA to July 15-21 in Trexlertown, Penn. Because of the pandemic, holding the event at VELO Sports Center is not feasible. Valley Preferred Cycling Center has stepped in to bring the event to Pennsylvania. USA Cycling
Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, to host 2021 Americas Triathlon Para Championships on June 27 – USA Triathlon, PATCO and Race Day Events announced that the 2021 Americas Triathlon Para Championships have been scheduled for June 27, in conjunction with the Pleasant Prairie Triathlon in Wisconsin. The elite international race serves as a World Triathlon Paralympic Games country qualifier. USA Triathlon
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Aqualung Launches All New XSCAPE Collection Featuring Eco-Responsible Wetsuit – Aqualung, manufacturer of dive and water sports gear, announced the launch of its all new XSCAPE collection. Featuring a 100% neoprene-free wetsuit and a rash guard made from sustainable materials, the XSCAPE line is designed for a variety of water activities and reflects Aqualung’s commitment to innovation, ocean discovery and sustainability. Aqualung
Saucony® Unveils All-New Freedom 4 – Global performance running lifestyle brand Saucony unveiled the all-new Freedom 4, delivering a shoe that’s engineered for the run, perfect for the gym, and for everything else. The Freedom 4 is updated with ultralight, high-performance PWRRUN PB™ cushioning, better handling lateral movement, with a polished all-day appeal. Saucony
SPONSORSHIPS
IMG And A360media’s US Weekly and Men’s Journal Announce Event Partnerships – IMG, a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion, and accelerate360’s media division a360media announced new marketing partnerships for Formula DRIFT and Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, Men’s Journal, and Stars on Ice with Us Weekly. The partnerships will result in exclusive content creation, collaborative brand partnerships and on-site activations. IMG
F2C Nutrition Inks Multi-Year Nutrition Partnership with Gran Fondo Hincapie – F2C Nutrition Inc. is the official nutrition partner for the Gran Fondo Hincapie series. F2C Nutrition will be at all the events with nutritional and electrolyte beverages. Hincapie will host two Gran Fondos in 2021, on May 1 in Chattanooga, and on Oct. 23 in Greenville, SC. F2C Nutrition
deboer wetsuits partners with Olympic Gold Medalist, Nicola Spirig – deboer wetsuits announces a multi-year partnership with Nicola Spirig, one of the most decorated short course triathletes of all time. Spirig has chosen to swim in deboer wetsuits, and Tsunami 1.0 speedsuit as she pursues a third Olympic medal, and tries to be the first woman to go Sub-8. deboer
Pho3nix Athlete Program Expands Stable of Tokyo Bound Athletes – The Pho3nix Foundation has added eight more athletes to their Athlete Program, assisting them on their journey to Tokyo 2021. They join a global and diverse roster of 38 athletes from 16 countries across six continents, competing in 20 disciplines. The group has already won over 100 medals in international competitions. Pho3nix Athlete Program
STUDIES
When Will Athletes Be Ready To Return? – NYCRUNS distributed a survey to over 50,000 customers, seeking to understand their current attitudes towards racing. 41% of the sample indicated that they are waiting for events to become more “normal” before participating. 34% of respondents are already participating or intend to participate within the next three months. While 19% are prepared to race but have not found an event they are interested in. NYCRUNS
MOVES
Olympic Medalist Erin Hartwell Joins USA Cycling as National Sprint Director – USA Cycling has brought on three-time U.S. Olympian Erin Hartwell to lead the National Track Sprint Program. Hartwell recently worked at the velodrome Valley Preferred Cycling Center, and worked in the past at national cycling federations’ track programs – Welsh Cycling, Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation, Cycling Canada, and Chinese Cycling. USA Cycling
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