Quote Originally Posted by Wahine View Post
I'm pretty sure that all of the IM events except Canada were Ford. I didn't know that Lake Placid had changed. Is BMW linked to Ford somehow? Maybe it's just an image change more than anything.
It looks like the title sponsorships have diversified a bit... Texas has Memorial Hermann, NYC has Aquadraat, Wisconsin is labeled Trek. Either the Sponsors pages on the Ironman websites aren't accurate, or Ford isn't even on Coeur d'Alene for 2013. Interesting!

On Canada:

Today there was a press release for Challenge Penticton, so it's official! WTC/Ironman also sent an email to all athletes and volunteers that said they were looking for another venue and we'd get priority entry opportunity. They are going to announce more details the week of Kona. I signed up, just in case.

It's interesting how WTC states it as the city not choosing to continue the relationship. Also interesting was the local news report's info that more/most/all of the money from Challenge races is invested in the community, significantly more than WTC/Ironman races.

The WTC/Ironman email (I took out the link, if you're eligible you have a copy):

IRONMAN Volunteers and Athletes,

IRONMAN is saddened to confirm that Penticton, Canada, has chosen to not move forward as the host for the 2013 edition of IRONMAN® Canada. We hoped that IRONMAN Canada would continue in the City of Penticton, which has served as the host of the race for 30 years, and that the relationship between IRONMAN and the city would continue indefinitely.

As IRONMAN continues to finalize details, we would like to offer the following opportunity for 2012 IRONMAN Canada volunteers, as well as all athletes who have previously raced IRONMAN Canada:

IRONMAN is aggressively pursuing multiple options, as our goal is to have IRONMAN Canada in 2013. By clicking here, volunteers and athletes will be put on a preferred registration list for the new IRONMAN Canada, tentatively slated for late August/early September 2013. Please note: you must complete the entire process and click “submit” to confirm your place on the registration list. Access to this link is available for a limited period of time, between Aug. 25 at noon PT and Aug. 30 at midnight PT. The preferred list will give volunteers and athletes one week (in advance of general proposed registration) to sign up for the new IRONMAN Canada event. Additional race and registration details will be announced during the week of the 2012 IRONMAN World Championship, which takes place on Oct. 13.

IRONMAN is pursuing multiple unique venue options for the new IRONMAN Canada race and is excited to build upon the long-standing tradition of IRONMAN Canada as one of the most iconic races in the global IRONMAN Series. The new race, tentatively scheduled for late August/early September 2013, will feature double the amount of age group slots for the IRONMAN World Championship, an increase from 50 to 100 slots, as well as an increase in KPR points and prize money for professional athletes.

As an additional race option, general entry for IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant, IRONMAN Coeur d’Alene, and Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas is also still available. Visit www.ironman.com to register.

Thank you for your continued support of IRONMAN, and we hope to see you at another IRONMAN race soon! If you have any questions, please contact Canada@ironman.com.

-- The IRONMAN team