December 2009 Archive

The following posts were made in December 2009. You may subscribe to the RSS feed for this archive if you would like to take your time reading through our posts.

Catalyst News

2009 Ford Ironman World Championship Airs on NBC on December 19

Broadcast Highlights Top Professional and Age Group Athletes from Around the World Competing in Sport's Most Grueling Endurance Event

(Tampa, Fla.) Dec. 16, 2009 - The 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship broadcast will air, for the 19^th consecutive year on NBC, Dec. 19, 2009, from 4:30 - 6 p.m. ET (check local listings).  The telecast will highlight the physical and emotional journey taken by athletes during the renowned 140.6-mile triathlon.  Veteran sports commentator and narrator Al Trautwig will provide the voiceover.

Athletes profiled in the Emmy-Award-winning program range from professionals including three-time Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington of Great Britain to physically challenged athletes, military veterans, retired professionals and weight loss success stories.

In its 31^st year, the Ford Ironman World Championship start cannon sounded on Oct. 10, 2009. Nearly 1,700 of the world's fittest athletes braved the harsh elements of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, in an attempt to earn the title of "Ironman." Temperatures on event day reached 90 degrees Fahrenheit and higher at certain times on the bike and run portions.  Athletes ranging in age from 20 to 80 years competed in the 2.4-mile Pacific Ocean swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile marathon in a classic battle of human motivation versus sweltering heat and mental and physical fatigue.

"Each year we look to inspire our viewers with the raw power and competitive nature of the professional athletes along with the impressive stories of courage and determination demonstrated by all participants," said Peter Henning, vice president of television production for Ironman.  "The course might not change year to year, but the drama continues to intensify."

The broadcast captures the emotion of the day and features head-to-head competition among the top male and female professionals.  The program documents Australia's Craig Alexander as he adds a second consecutive Ironman World Championship title to his resume and Wellington, who secures her third - breaking the course record of Ironman great, Paula Newby-Fraser of Zimbabwe - with an overall time of 8 hrs., 54 min., 2 sec.  The program also highlights the 17-hour challenges of several unique professional and age group athletes who define the meaning of inspiration and bring to life the "Anything is Possible" mentality.

Featured athletes include:

• Decorated professional and 2009 top American finisher Chris Lieto, the former surfer and college water polo player with three top-10 finishes at the Ironman World Championship
• Matt Hoover, season two winner of NBC's "The Biggest Loser," who gave it his best to be an official Ironman finisher, but crossed the finish line mere minutes after the midnight cut-off time
• Rudy Garcia-Tolson, a double-amputee with numerous world records, who completed an impressive swim but narrowly missed the cut-off after biking the 112-mile course
• Four-time Lymphoma survivor and heart transplant recipient Kyle Garlett, who was not able to complete the challenging swim within the allotted timeframe
• Mike Adamle, a former professional football running back and well-known national and Chicago-area sportscaster, who tested his strength and drive for the second time in Kailua-Kona

Further program details and information on the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 Event Series can be found by visiting: www.ironman.com.  For media-related questions, please contact Blair LaHaye at Blair@ironman.com / (813) 868-5929 or Jessica Weidensall at Jessica@ironman.com / (813) 868-5914.

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About Ironman

World Triathlon Corporation, owner and organizer of Ironman and Ironman 70.3 branded-events, is a Florida-based company recognized for athletic excellence, performance and quality products. With the addition of the Ironman 70.3 Series, Ironman now has more than 60 qualifying events worldwide. Supported by partners that include Ford Motor Company, PowerBar, Timex and Gatorade, Ironman is the No.1 user-based sports brand in the world. Ironman has been a respected name in triathlon since its inception in 1978 and is regarded as the world's most challenging endurance event. Millions may remember moments in Ironman history such as Julie Moss' crawl to the finish line in 1982, which was showcased on ABC's Wide World of Sports. Each year, more than 150,000 athletes compete for slots in the Ford Ironman World Championship held every October in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 held every November in Clearwater, Fla. The Ironman brand has been featured in a range of media outlets to include NBC, CNN Headline News, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, People, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times and USA Today.

Tags: ironman , ford ironman world championship , triathlon , peter henning , al trautwig , chrissie wellington , craig alexander , the biggest loser , mike adamle , matt hoover , world triathlon corporation

Catalyst News

Whistler-Blackcomb Hosts Winter Incredible Dog Challenge for World’s Top Performance Canines

Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Makes First Visit to Canada as Nation Prepares 2010 Winter Games

WHISTLER-BLACKCOMB, British Columbia (Dec. 9, 2009) - Before the torch relay arrives in Whistler-Blackcomb, Canada early next year for the 2010 Winter Games, the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge will invite some of the world's most athletic canines to Canada for some winter games of their own.

The Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, typically a summer sport, will kick off its 13th season on Jan. 8 - 9, 2010, in the cold temperatures of western Canada, giving fans an opportunity to see some of their favorite events like Agility, head-to-head 60-weave Pole Racing and Freestyle Flying Disc in a completely different way - on the snow.  

Given its unique location, the Challenge will also incorporate additional events to highlight the venue, including Avalanche Rescue, Skijoring and a fun-filled Paw-and-Pole exhibition. All events are free to the public.

"We are thrilled to have Whistler host our doggie winter games," said Jim Allen, Manager, Experiential Marketing of Nestlé Purina PetCare. "These entertaining canines are athletes competing in events they love to do. It truly showcases the bond people have with their four-legged friend. It's the kind of bond Purina wants to foster, embrace and highlight for people to see."

Tourists and local residents that have dogs that are in good physical condition are invited to participate in two of the events: the Paw-and-Pole exhibition/competition and Skijoring.

The Paw-and-Pole exhibition is an opportunity to go cross-country skiing with your four-legged companion. Awards will be distributed to the fastest small and large dogs, a "Best Costume" award and a "Look-alike" contest determining which owner most resembles their dog. Proceeds from Paw-and-Pole will go to support the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association. Registration for the Paw-and-Pole event will begin on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 9:30 a.m. PST.

In addition, an open qualifier for the Skijoring competition will take place on Friday, Jan. 8, beginning at 10 a.m. PST where two local dogs and their trainers will qualify to compete on Saturday, Jan. 9, beginning at 9:30 a.m. PST.

The Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, recognized as one of the most premier canine sporting events in the United States, will feature various breeds and sizes of dogs from multiple nations in peak physical condition and will demonstrate that any dog can achieve their "incredible" potential if given proper training, good nutrition and lots of love. 

The Avalanche Rescue event will take place at the top of the Whistler Village Gondola, while all other events will be held at the Whistler Golf Club. More details on the Winter Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, including a complete schedule of activities and location, can be found at http://www.petcentric.com/.

As with its summertime events, the Winter Purina Incredible Dog Challenge will serve as a qualifier for the national finals held each year at Purina Farms in St. Louis in October 2010. The competition will also taped to broadcast nationally in the United States and Canada in late winter giving its American and Canadian fans an additional chance to follow their favorite competitors.

About Nestlé Purina Pet Care

Nestlé Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets.  A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., the world's largest food company.

Tags: nestle purina petcare , nestle s.a. , incredible dog challenge , winter games , 2010 , canada , canadian avalanche rescue dog association , paw and pole , skijoring , whistler , purina farms , canines blackcomb

Catalyst News

CALLAWAY uPRO RECEIVES 2009 "BEST OF WHAT'S NEW" AWARD FROM POPULAR SCIENCE MAGAZINE

Award is Presented Just as New Callaway uPro Go^TM Golf GPS Device Arrives at Retail

CARLSBAD, CA, December 3, 2009 - Callaway Golf Company (NYSE: ELY) today announced that Popular Science magazine honored its popular Callaway uPro® golf GPS device with a 2009 Best of What's New Award. The award comes just as the Company's latest golf GPS device, Callaway uPro Go, arrives at retail. Pre-loaded with more than 18,000 golf courses from uPro's growing global database, Callaway uPro Go lets golfers go straight to the course from the golf shop with a cutting edge, full-color GPS device.

Popular Science's Best of What's New Awards, now in their 22^nd year, highlight the top 100 technological innovations of the year. With this recognition, Popular Science asserts that the Callaway uPro represents a significant step forward in golf GPS systems and recreational devices.

"Callaway Golf is thrilled to be recognized by Popular Science for the contributions that our uPro GPS device has made to the Recreation category," said Alan Hocknell, Senior Vice President, Research & Development, Callaway Golf. "We're confident that our new uPro Go will also be well received, particularly by players who have yet to experience how a GPS device can enhance their game."

The new Callaway uPro Go contains many of the same award-winning features and benefits of the Callaway uPro.  uPro Go is designed for players that desire advanced GPS assistance in a device that comes pre-loaded with more than 18,000 courses, allowing them to go straight to the course from the golf shop.

The uPro Go has an easy-to-use interface and features a large, full-color screen that displays vibrant images, even in direct sunlight. At nearly half the weight and size of other golf GPS devices, it also fits comfortably into a pocket without hindering the golf swing.

Taking the best from both GPS devices and rangefinders, Callaway uPro Go features AnyPoint^TM Technology within its GoMode^TM setting, which allows golfers to acquire accurate distances from any spot on the golf course. GoMode also features the Virtual Green View, which uses a proprietary imagery process that shows the green and its surrounding area in vivid detail with precise distances. Accessing the GoMode features requires only a one-time activation fee.  

Callaway uPro Go's Basic Mode has access to the same massive database of courses and contains free offerings of Green View and Hazard View. Green View provides accurate distances to the front, center and back of the green. Hazard View shows the distance to the front and back of all hazards, as well as the type of hazard.

The original Callaway uPro, honored by Popular Science, is the only dedicated golf GPS system on the market that provides golfers with actual hi-resolution aerial photography of golf courses. In its patent-pending ProMode^TM, aerial photography and state-of-the-art graphics allow golfers to accurately visualize holes and clearly see hazards, providing precise distances so golfers can navigate the course and plan their strategy.

The new Callaway uPro Go GPS device is now available at retail and features a new product introduction retail price of $299.     

For more information on these products and Callaway Golf's complete lineup of equipment, footwear and accessories, please visit www.callawaygolf.com. High-resolution images of all products are available for immediate download via the Media Center portion of Callaway Golf's website: www.callawaygolf.com/Global/en-US/MediaCenter.html.

About Callaway Golf

Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY) creates products and services designed to make every golfer a better golfer. Callaway Golf Company manufactures and sells golf clubs and golf balls, and sells golf accessories, under the Callaway Golf®, Odyssey®, Top-Flite®, and Ben Hogan® brands in more than 110 countries worldwide. For more information please visit www.callawaygolf.com or shop.callawaygolf.com.

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Tags: callaway , upro , golf gps , golf , gps , popular science

Catalyst News

Under Armour Named Official Outfitter of Boston College Athletics

 Eagles Sign Six-Year Uniform and Footwear Agreement With Performance Apparel and Footwear Leader

CHESTNUT HILL, MA. (December 1, 2009) - The Boston College Athletics Department and Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE:UA) announced today that the Baltimore-based leader in performance apparel and footwear will become the official outfitter of Boston College Athletics effective July, 2010.

The six-year, multi-million dollar agreement gives Under Armour the right to provide uniforms, apparel and footwear to each of the Eagles' 31 varsity sports, including football, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's ice hockey and field hockey. This department-wide outfitter agreement also includes an annual Under Armour product allowance as well as a rights fee, marketing entitlements, event tickets, and retail licensing rights.

"As one of the bellwether athletic programs of the Northeast and a perennial national championship contender, Boston College is an ideal match for the Under Armour brand.  The Eagles' rich heritage across multiple sports is a testament to the dedicated athletes and administrators who strive to be the best," said Kevin Plank, CEO and Founder, Under Armour. "BC has maintained a loyal and fervent fan base in a city that demands excellence from all of its teams, and this partnership will have an immediate, positive impact for our brand and this elite athletic program and institution."

"Boston College is very excited to introduce this new partnership with Under Armour," said Gene DeFilippo, Boston College Athletics Director.  "Under Armour is committed to making all student-athletes better, and we look forward to working with them to provide all our student-athletes with the best chance to excel on the national stage."

Under Armour, the originators of performance apparel, has transitioned athletes into moisture-wicking apparel since 1996. Under Armour products are sold worldwide and worn by athletes at all levels, from youth to professional, on playing fields around the globe.

About Under Armour, Inc.

Under Armour^®(NYSE: UA) is a leading developer, marketer, and distributor of branded performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. The brand's moisture-wicking synthetic fabrications are engineered in many different designs and styles for wear in nearly every climate to provide a performance alternative to traditional natural fiber products.  The Company's products are sold worldwide and worn by athletes at all levels, from youth to professional, on playing fields around the globe.  The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland, with European headquarters in Amsterdam's Olympic Stadium, and additional offices in Denver, Hong Kong, Toronto, and Guangzhou, China. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.underarmour.com.

Tags: under armour , boston college , official outfitter , eagles , kevin plank , bc , gene defilippo , footwear , apparel