To the uninitiated: "Ironman" is a trademark, a brand. WTC (World Triathlon Corporation) bought Ironman some time last year. Since then there has been a distinct trend to extort as much money as possible out of participants.
October 27, 2010, the marketing geniuses at World Triathlon Corporation announced the following program.
Ironman Access: New Athlete Membership Program
WTC Introduces New Athlete Membership Program
Published Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Today World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) launches an exclusive athlete membership program called Ironman Access. In addition to other member benefits, the program will offer advance registration for Ironman events worldwide before entries open to the general public. Membership into Ironman Access is on a first-come, first-served basis and will close once it reaches capacity.
Advance race registration for Ironman Access members will open one week prior to the event’s general entry registration date. Athletes are required to pay the general entry fee to the selected event.
Members may choose to register early for one or more of the following 2011 and 2012 Ironman races:
2011 Ironman Florida
2011 Ironman Arizona
2011 Ironman Cozumel
2011 Ironman Western Australia
2012 Ironman New Zealand
2012 Ironman South Africa
2012 Ironman Australi
2012 Ironman St. George
2012 Ironman Lanzarote
2012 Ironman Texas
2012 Ironman China
2012 Ironman Brazi
2012 Ironman France
2012 Ironman Coeur d’Alene
2012 Ironman Austria
2012 Ironman Switzerland
2012 Ironman European Championship
2012 Ironman Lake Placid
2012 Ironman UK
2012 Ironman Regensburg
2012 Ironman Canada
2012 Ironman Louisville
2012 Ironman Wisconsin
2012 Ironman Wales
In addition to exclusive, advance registration, Ironman Access will offer perks including an official membership ID card; a second chance in the Ironman Lottery Program*; two VIP passes per registered event; a one-year subscription to LAVA Magazine; discounts on Ironman partner products at shopironman.com and at Ironman’s on-site event retail stores; and a 2010 Ford Ironman World Championship NBC broadcast DVD. Membership benefits are valid for one year starting from activation date. In order to take advantage of early event registration, membership must be current. The annual membership fee is $1,000 USD.
*With purchase of a general lottery entry.
Needless to say, this has set off a major sh*tstorm on Facebook and tri discussion boards. WTC has taken a real beating since the announcement, yet didn't feel compelled to respond until the next day.
What follows is the series of FB postings by Ironman. The arrogance is truly impressive.
UPDATE #1: After reading your comments on FB, we realize there is confusion regarding the Ironman Access program. Ironman strives to improve the entry process for our events, many selling out a year in advance with on-site registration. This program resolves two prevalent issues. (Stand by for additional posts)
UPDATE #2: 1) Currently, to guarantee entry to a number of our events, athletes travel to the event location one year in advance and wait in line to register for the following year. For athletes who are taking a weekend of their time, paying for their travel, hotel, airfare, etc., this program is an alternative. (More to follow)
UPDATE #3: 2) Most importantly, Ironman has a significant number of athletes who register for multiple events with the intention of racing only one of them. Once they successfully register for their "first choice" event, these athletes do not attend the other events in which they have registered, thereby reducing opportunities for other athletes. (Next post to follow)
UPDATE #4: Ironman Access enables athletes to compete in the event they want + eliminates their need to register for multiple events. As a result, more slots will be available for general registration across the entire series. (Final update to follow)
In closing, Ironman Access is a limited program, which will increase the overall number of general registration slots and provide an alternative to those who do not want to stand in line and take two trips to an event location to race once.
Oh I see. We're all confused.
Coming soon: Ironman's Sad Loss of Integrity (Part #2)
No comments:
Post a Comment