After a successful pilot year in 2012, Polar Bottle has finalized preparations to be the official sports bottle of the third annual USA Pro Challenge. Billed as the ‘toughest professional cycling race in the US’, on 19-25 August, the USA Pro Challenge travels through the state of Colorado’s mountain passes and top cycling destinations, from Aspen to Denver.
Polar Bottle, founded and based in Boulder, Colorado, signed on as the official sports bottle of the race last summer and launched a line of six custom Pro Challenge insulated sport water bottles. The line includes designs inspired by each of the event’s five awards jerseys.
Due to the success of the bottles in 2012, a new commemorative route bottle, which maps the seven-stage race from the start in Aspen to the circuit finish in Denver, has been added to the line-up for 2013.
“Partnering with the Pro Challenge has been great for our company,” said Polar Bottle President Judy Amabile. “This is one of the top road races in the country. Colorado is lucky to host it and we are thrilled to be a sponsor again this year.”
The Made in Colorado USA Pro Cycling bottles were a hit with spectators at the 2012 race and have been top sellers on the Polar Bottle website all year. The entire bottle line is currently available on the Polar Bottle website and in select stores around the US. Additionally, fans will have the opportunity to pick one up at the Polar Bottle booth in the festival at every finish city along the route.
“Polar Bottle has been a valuable partner for the USA Pro Challenge,” said Rick Schaden, owner of the race. “The unique designs of the bottles tie directly to the awards jerseys presented at the end of each day, creating a valuable souvenir for fans that reminds them of the thrill and excitement of the race.”
Robert Heiberger and Judy Amabile founded Product Architects Inc (Polar Bottle) in 1994 from a garage in Boulder. As avid cyclists and budding entrepreneurs, they wanted to develop a bottle that would keep liquids cool during long rides.
Robert, a mechanical engineer with experience working with heat loss, adapted his expertise to create the insulated Polar Bottle water bottle. From there, he and Judy began making the reusable insulated water bottles by hand with plastics sourced from Denver. At that time, Polar Bottle had one employee, Nechko Gazibara, who helped produce bottles while Judy and Robert travelled around Colorado selling the product to individual bike shops.
Today, Polar Bottle has grown to a company of about 50 employees, it has remained true to its roots. After 18 years, original employee Nechko is still with the company; Judy and Robert still play an active role in sales, marketing and product development; and the company remains committed to philanthropy and advocacy.
Referred to as ‘America’s Race’, the USA Pro Challenge will take place on 19-25 August 2013 and travels through eight host cities from Aspen to Denver. For seven consecutive days, the world’s top athletes race through the majestic Colorado Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they’ve ever had to endure.
After attracting more than 1 million spectators in 2012, making it one of the largest cycling events in US history and the largest spectator event in the history of Colorado state, the USA Pro Challenge is back for 2013.
Featuring a challenging, 599-mile course, the third annual race will spotlight the best of the best in professional cycling and some of America’s most beautiful scenery.
www.USAProChallenge.com
www.polarbottle.com
