Selling: Triathlon Tips of the tri
Mike Martin of TCL Sports tells SGB Sportsabout the state of triathlon, and where the sport is headed.
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ccording to Mike Martin of TCL Sports, triathlon is one of the strongest growing sports in the UK at
the moment.
A drive to improve the health of the nation is no doubt helping, but so is the triathlon sector’s work to make new entrants to the sport feel comfortable enough to take it up.
Says Martin: “There are a lot of people taking up triathlon, and this is in no small part down to the work of the industry to make people feel comfortable enough to join. That’s where a lot of the growth is coming from.
“Once you get people into triathlon, fit and enjoying it, they tend to come back and spend more and upgrade. And triathletes are quick to adopt new technologies and are amenable to new developments and products. “For example, we launched the Newton running shoe into the triathlon market to test the waters for natural running.”
A series of seminars, starting with one dedicated to the trade in February, are now being planned which are designed to showcase natural running as a product category.
Martin says there are various ongoing technical innovations that are helping improve the performance of triathletes. Wetsuits and clothing are notable examples, Martin says.
He highlights the 2XU X2 wetsuit, which TCL has helped develop in
collaboration with the Australian Institute of Sport. One big innovation is that it incorporates some of the same material used in buoys to enhance buoyancy. “It’s a concept car of a wetsuit, where money’s no problem
24 TCR
The Triathlon Cycling and Running Show (TCR) will take place at Sandown Park on February 11-13 and feature products, services and seminars for triathletes, cyclists and runners.
Two seminar theatres will have presentations from top coaches and athletes, and the Zoggs SwimZone will help develop swim techniques. There is also the Saucony 10K run and an indoor cycle competition.
Over 140 top brands and retailers are exhibiting, including 2XU, Aqua Sphere, Blueseventy Wetsuits, Brooks Sports, Gu Energy, K-Swiss and Mizuno.
An adult weekend ticket costs £9 in advance or £12 on the door. Under-16s go free.
Show opening times: - February 11 - 1230-1930 - February 12 - 0930-1700 - February 13 - 0930-1700
www.sgb-sports.com
and it pushes the boundaries of innovation,” says Martin.
“It has been developed to use the best materials and products to be the best wetsuit available. It is very expensive at £650 but is a product at the very cutting edge.”
Compression clothing will be another hot topic for those involved in triathlon, he says. “Compression is where it’s at. Down the line, baggy technical clothing will be a thing of the past. If it’s not compression, athletes won’t wear it.”
TCL has a new compression tri-suit it is set to bring to market, which Martin says includes further innovations designed to help triathletes perform better.
“The tri-suit features the chemical compound Xylitol, which lowers the surface body temperature by 5°C.”
Martin says: “Triathlon is going from strength to strength and for retailers it is proving very successful. It fills a gap in the summer and selling a couple of wetsuits can account for having to sell numerous pairs of shoes.”
A killer
instinct Orca UK sales manager Chuck Cosman talks about the company’s move to develop new ways of using Merino wool in triathlon products.
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rca UK sales manager Chuck Cosman says the company is doing a lot of work to make Merino wool a more suitable product to use in triathlons. Says Cosman: “One of the main issues with Merino wool is temperature and heat management.
“We’re looking at ways to develop it using different blends. For instance, we’ve developed a Coolmax and Merino 50/50 blend that we use in panels on baselayers alongside 100 per cent Merino wool to improve heat regulation. “We’re focusing on making Merino wool a sportswear brand and have running and cycling specific products to suit.”
Cosman says Orca is also using plated Merino wool in its range, and is working on compression-style Merino wool garments, which will debut in 2011.
“There are improvements to be found and made with Merino wool, and we’re looking to find them.”
Orca offers compression clothing as well for triathletes and Cosman says there have been a number of developments in that field too. For instance, it has introduced a new fleece shammy in the gusset of its women’s range which reduces chafing and uncomfort during use, and it has changed the leg openings on its baselayers to mimic those of wetsuits and make getting them on easier. This has seen moon- shaped ankle holes introduced alongside bonded elastic cuffs.
“With the competition on the market, I believe you need a good proposition to compete, and with these developments, Orca has just that,” says Cosman.
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