Run shoe and apparel specialist New Balance has confirmed the signing of its latest Team New Balance triathlete, reigning Ironman World Champion and Kona record holder Mirinda Carfrae. Carfrae joins reigning Ironman 70.3 World Champion Sebastian Kienle and reigning ITU World Champion Non Stanford, who also wear New Balance.
Marking a move away from K-Swiss, with whom Carfrae has been sponsored for a number of years, this latest agreement adds to sponsorship deals for the Ironman World Champ recently confirmed with nutrition brand Bonk Breaker and wetsuit specialist TYR.
“Mirinda’s passion, personality and talent make her a wonderful addition to the Team New Balance roster,” said John Evans, Running Sports Marketing General Manager at New Balance. “Not only is she a two-time Ironman World Champion, but she’s also one of the fastest runners in the history of the sport. New Balance is proud and excited to support Mirinda, who is widely recognized as one of the best triathletes in the world.”
A natural athlete as a child in Queensland, Australia, Carfrae grew up playing basketball and did not compete in her first triathlon until 2000 at the age of 19. Carfrae made the Australian Junior Elite Team and represented Australia at the ITU Triathlon World Championships from 2001 through 2005.
Carfrae has won twenty titles in Ironman 70.3 competitions – as well as two first place finishes in 2010 and 2013, with a new course record, at the Ironman World Championships. Carfrae currently lives in Boulder, Colorado and trains under Coach Siri Lindley.
“I am thrilled to be announcing a long term sponsorship with New Balance,” said Carfrae. “I’ve enjoyed testing their footwear and apparel and am excited to be racing this weekend at Escape from Alcatraz in the New Balance RC1600. New Balance is a big supporter of women’s running and I can’t wait to be involved with its triathlon team as an athlete and contribute to product development.
“I’m excited to have New Balance on my team as I stride to break new barriers at Kona and other run courses.”
New Balance, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, has the following mission: ‘Demonstrating responsible leadership, we build global brands that athletes are proud to wear, associates are proud to create and communities are proud to host.’
New Balance notes that it is currently the only major shoe company that manufactures athletic footwear in the US. In 2013, 1 out of every 4 pairs of shoes the company sold in the US was made or assembled there. New Balance owns five factories in New England and one in Flimby, UK.
New Balance employs more than 4,000 associates around the globe, and in 2013 reported worldwide sales of US$2.73 billion.
