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Ironman Ukraine coming in 2014

GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
in Races & Places 🏁⛺

Just saw something on ST about it.  End of August 2014 in Yalta on the Black Sea.  This one seems like a head scratcher to me. Eastern Europe doesn't seem like a logical place for a new Ironman race.

Too bad the Soviet Union wasn't still around.  Ironman USSR sounds much cooler! 

Comments

  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    New territory for WTC to conquer. To quote CEO Andrew Messick, "There are very substantial parts of the world that have yet to be exposed to triathlon...Consider places in South America like Argentina, all throughout Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East; there's a role for us in all of those places." (Inside Triathlon, Jan/Feb '13) The piece ends with this editorial observation: "In other words, Messick is charging forward with a level of globalization of triathlon that others haven't yet imagined."

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    At Bob, I met a lady from Russia while traveling to Cozumel. I think there is a market there and I hope it works out.
  • Dave TalloDave Tallo
    Bafflingly, they have pulled Malasia, China, Japan, and S Korea in the last few years. Nonetheless, Ukraine would be an interesting destination!
  • Bruce ThompsonBruce Thompson

    If they can't make money in China, Japan or S Korea, I doubt they will make money in Ukraine. One & done.

  • MattAaronsonMattAaronson
    Posted By Bruce Thompson on 26 Dec 2012 10:01 PM

    If they can't make money in China, Japan or S Korea, I doubt they will make money in Ukraine. One & done.

    Totally agree. You need a deep market to support a race. You cannot use a race to "bring triathlon to a market". The market has to be there, probably cultivated for years with local races and/or shorter-distance races. The much-maligned WTC technique of "buying out local races" is actually a great strategy since it totally de-risks assumptions about the size of the market.

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    @Matt Are they following that strategy of buying into a race or is it a brand new event? Not familiar with the Ukraine tri scene ;-)
  • robin sarnerrobin sarner

    Viktor Zyemtsev from there.   maybe he is helping set it up?

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    No doubt they will probably throw a bunch of Kona slots at it to attract interest. After St George 70.3 and the new IM Canada, I'm beginning to think it no longer pays to select carefully and register early. Just wait and see what races they are pushing and sign up for those.
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