Italian accessories specialist Rudy Project has announced the winner of a once in a lifetime experience in Kona, Hawaii during the 2015 IRONMAN World Championships. Longtime athlete and avid fan of Rudy Project, Mark Vareschi was randomly selected from more than 60,000 participants after entering an online contest.
Vareschi, a PhD graduate and Professor at the University of Wisconsin Madison could hardly believe the news when Rudy Project contacted him. “It still doesn’t feel quite real,” said Mark, overcome with shock. “It’s the only big prize I’ve ever won. What a great way to start the year! My girlfriend was also ecstatic to hear the news, it made Valentine’s Day.”
“I remember going to the IRONMAN World Championships for the first time and being overwhelmed by the incredible atmosphere,” said Paul Craig, President of Rudy Project North America. “You could feel the passion and excitement in the air as the world’s toughest triathletes readied themselves for this brutal race.
“Now to be returning in 2015 after Rudy Project has won the IRONMAN World Championships Helmet Count for the past four consecutive years, and to be bringing along someone new to share this experience, is a privilege for me and the Rudy Project family.”
When he’s not researching or teaching 18th Century Literature at UW-Madison, Mark can be found on his bike, commuting and occasionally racing. “I joined the cycling team at Rutgers where I earned my PHD, and just fell in love with training and racing my bike. That’s what I’ve been doing ever since,” said Mark, who began racing cyclocross in 2001 and now rides with the Revolution Cycles team in Madison.
“I’ve been wearing Rudy helmets and sunglasses for as long as I’ve been riding, and have always been impressed with the quality and attention to detail in every product.”
As part of the sweepstakes, Rudy Project will fly Mark and his girlfriend from Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee to the Big Island of Hawaii, where they will receive accommodation for five unforgettable nights in the town of Kona. They will also attend a private dinner with a legendary Rudy Project Athlete, snag US$1000 of Free Rudy Gear and enjoy a VIP view of the 2015 IRONMAN World Championships.
Although Cyclocross has been Mark’s sport of choice, he is eager to witness this incredible race and hopes to see a few of his former teammates competing.
Rudy Project congratulates this lucky winner, and looks forward to joining Mark on the sidelines of the IRONMAN World Championships.
Rudy Project designs and manufactures performance-oriented helmets, sunglasses, goggles and Rx/prescription eyewear solutions by applying ‘advanced science, cutting-edge technology and innovative aesthetics.’
Designed and crafted in Italy since 1985, Rudy Project has grown quickly as a premier brand throughout North America. Rudy helmets were recognized as the number one most worn aero / time-trial brand at the IRONMAN World Championships Presented by GoPro in Kona, Hawaii for the last four consecutive years, and have been designated the Official Helmet of IRONMAN for North America. Rudy Project aims to offer ‘unparalleled customer service backed by a Lifetime Replacement Lens Guarantee and an industry-leading three-year frame warranty.’
