ShowBiz Feature
Lucy Davis, 2010
customers who want and need it now. Since I have logistical people I don't want to live without, I have people in place who are used to being on the road for two or three months in a row. They look at this as a new opportunity to see new places. They realize it won't be simple, but that's why we're working with people we know. The goal is to make it a festi- val weekend and make it special for everyone. I've also got great part-
ners. Our private equity partner, Leonard Green, has been supportive of the horse business and they like this mar- ket. They pursue it and they're prepared to back it up. They are the owner of Sports Authority and have a big interest in an athletic club. They know the sports business and they like this market. That is a big plus.”
Triathlete.com: How
you will create a unique experience for sprint and Ironman athletes? Struzzieri: “The courses
Photos © Flying Horse Photography 66
are different. I think the experience is finding the perfect lo- cations that are special. To me it starts with a great swim, and making the long rides different than some of other longer rides out there. I think it will be a little unique; our series is a little different in that we're not married to the distances that people consider typical. It might be longer or shorter than the usual depending on what works with the course.”
Triathlete.com: Anything else you'd like to add?
Struzzieri: “The crown jewel of the series will be in Palm Springs. Athletes will have to qualify for that event in 2012, and it will be a great championship race. There's a park that's right next to the mountains, we have a video that will show it off pretty nicely. We'll finish most of the races there at the HITS horse show grounds, which is two or three miles from transition. We'll have VIP areas and a great fitness expo. We think that will allow us to offer a spectacular championship in the desert.” In his usual, nonstop manner, Tom considers this chal-
lenge as fun and rewarding as the show jumping sport has been. Different, but just as intriguing for this complex man. He takes on every endeavor with a ferociousness that is to be commended, and he usually finds the many ways to make things work. But, along with his optimistic outlook on life, he always
has a balance of reality that brings it all back to the typical Struzzieri outlook. “The proof will be in the pudding, as the saying goes,” he says “We shall see.”
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