Rudy Project has unveiled the 2014 Kona Racing Kit, an exclusive sponsorship benefit available only to athletes racing in the 11 October 2014 GoPro Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The Kona Racing Kit serves as an invitation to these athletes to serve as Rudy Project brand ambassadors and allows them the purchase of a high-performance Rudy Project helmet and racing sunglass at a significantly reduced rate, saving over US$450.
“This is our way of rewarding the best triathletes in the world with the best products in the world,” said Paul Craig, Co-Founder and President of Rudy Project North America. “These athletes have exhibited the highest level of discipline and talent in order to qualify for the world championship, in many cases making great sacrifices along the way. We’re thrilled to be in a position to offer them substantial savings on world-class gear that will enhance both their performance and comfort on race day.”
Rudy Project has offered a similar program for three years running and athletes have ‘responded by the hundreds’, reflected by the company’s position as the number one helmet brand worn by athletes at the Ironman World Championship for the past three consecutive years.
Additionally, Rudy Project notes that its eyewear has earned the status of being the second most worn brand at Kona in 2013.
While in past years athletes have been required to pick up the promotional products in Kona during race week, a pre-ship option is a new feature of the 2014 program for US and Canadian racers.
International racers will continue to pick up their product in Kona at the Rudy Project Village at Uncle Billy’s on 5-7 October between 10:00 and 14:00 local time. All orders must be placed by noon, 5 September 2014.
“While it’s been a point of honour for our brand to witness the large number of athletes willing to trust in our products and use them during the race straight out of the box, this year we’re also excited to offer pre-shipping. This will give Kona-qualified US and Canadian athletes an opportunity to receive their racing helmet and eyewear in time for their most intense training block,” said Paul Craig.
Kona-bound athletes may choose from a selection of three Rudy Project helmets – the wind tunnel-tested Wingspan Aero/TT, or the slightly more subtle yet no less stealthy traditional road-styling of the Windmax or Sterling.
Each sunglass model available with the Kona Racing Kit – Rydon, Rydon II, Ekynox Sx, Agon, Stratofly, Noyz or Hypermask Performance – comes with two interchangeable RPOptics lenses. The Agon, the most recent update to the company’s competition eyewear, incorporates all-new Integrated Air Conditioning to combat lens fogging and, similar to the other models available, includes Rudy Project’s signature Adjustable Temple Tips and ErgoVI Adjustable Nosepiece for fit precision.
