Sally Edwards splits from Danskin, starts own races
In November, HeartZones sent out a newsletter saying Sally Edwards/HeartZones was joining with Trek to sponsor a new race series - http://www.trektriathlon.com/
Apparently Danskin is going to continue running their own races, too, and the Trek races will follow the same formula (looks like almost the same cities, even).
Here's the newsletter - http://www.heartzones.com/newsletter/November-2008.html
And a press release - http://www.bicycleretailer.com/news/...tail/2040.html
The more the merrier? :) I have to admit, it might be nice if these well-organized race people would also organize longer-distance races, even just stretching to Olympic Distance to offer one more option (kind of like how some of them do supersprint/sprint). I suppose that might be quite the zoo, though.
Should be interesting to see how Danskin does without Sally, and how the Trek series does on its own with only her name to start them up. I'll probably try both as long as they fit with my schedule. Knowing my luck, one of them will collide with work travel. :p
Clarification over Sally Edwards & Maggie Sullivan Leaving Danskin
Hi All,
I handle the PR for the TREK Women's Triathlon Series, and used to work with Danskin, as well. I have read all your posts and wanted to clarify exactly what is going on with Sally, Maggie, Danskin and TREK.
While most of you are correct - Sally and Maggie have left Danskin and taken their team with them to TREK - it seems there is some skepticism and confusion as to the cause and motives behind that move.
I want to be clear and assure you when I say that Maggie's decision to leave Danskin was not for marketing or competitive purposes. It was not a publicity stunt, nor was the move a tactic in hurting the Danksin brand. Maggie's decision to leave Danskin after 19 years was a difficult and risky one (especially in this economy). But to her, the bigger picture was more important: she hoped to create an improved series for you. There are many aspects of Danksin that Maggie was not pleased with, and has been able to improve since she arrived at TREK.
Maggie’s first step was to include and build upon the best practices and dimensions of her 19 years of work in the triathlon industry. Maggie knew the importance of retaining the special aspects of her previous Series that women had come to love. For instance, the new Series would be a spring distance event: ½ mile swim, 12 mile bicycle and 3.1 mile run.
While at Danksin, Maggie was the sole employee responsible for developing the triathlon series. Along with Sally Edwards as the spokeswoman, she built a culture based on the notion of women helping women and supporting each other in a nurturing and challenging environment.
The problem now is that people are still looking for the Danskin race. What everyone needs to understand is that what was once the magic of Danskin has now transitioned to TREK with Sally and Maggie.
I hope this can clarify the confusion behind the move, and if anyone has any questions/comments please feel free to contact me. I want to be sure that all of you have not lost faith in Maggie Sullivan, Sally Edwards and the risk they have taken in leaving Danskin to improve the triathlon series - because I can promise that they have not lost faith in you.
