The IRONMAN Foundation, the non-profit arm of The IRONMAN Group, has announced its inaugural Laulima Auction.
The term, Laulima, is seen as a pillar principle of Hawaiian culture, meaning ‘many hands working together’. The Laulima Auction bidding will open on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 12:00pm EDT and closes on Friday, October 20, 2023 at 12:00pm EDT.
Continuing the celebration of The IRONMAN Foundation’s 20th Anniversary, the inaugural Laulima Auction will consist of exclusive experiences and pieces of triathlon history, including the bike that Sika Henry, the USA’s First Black Female Professional Triathlete, rode to earn her Professional Triathlete Card.
“After a terrible accident in early 2019 nearly took me out of the sport completely, this bike was a defining moment in my journey back to triathlon,” said Sika Henry.
“Receiving a brand new Cervelo P3X with electronic shifting, disc brakes, and custom v6 HED wheels gave me the confidence to keep pursuing my dream of qualifying for my pro card in hopes of inspiring more women and people of colour to try this beautiful sport.
“While I’m sad to part with a piece of my journey that helped make history, I couldn’t be happier knowing that all funds raised through this auction will go to The IRONMAN Foundation and its Race For Change program.”
Henry rode the Cervelo P3X bike in five race events, including a podium at IRONMAN 70.3 Augusta, crossing the finish line at the 2019 IRONMAN World Championship triathlon in Kailua-Kona, and ultimately, qualifying for her pro card in 2021 in Cancun, Mexico.
Additional items available for bidding include entries to the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlons, a one-on-one with the ‘Voice of IRONMAN’, Mike Reilly, finish line tape from the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon in Kailua-Kona, signed by top female professional triathletes, and more.
Every year, age-group athletes compete in IRONMAN races globally for a slot to the IRONMAN World Championship. The majority of entries are earned by athletes through qualification slots; however, one entry for each 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon in Nice, France and in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i, as well as one entry for the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon in Taupo, New Zealand, will be available for bidding during the Laulima Auction.
“Since 2003, The IRONMAN Foundation has provided over US$55 million in charitable giveback in partnership with The IRONMAN Group to over 10,000 charitable organizations around the world,” said Audra Tassone-Indeck, Executive Director of The IRONMAN Foundation.
“These achievements are only possible because of the many athletes and supporters that have come together to support us over the years.”
Auction items can be viewed on the Laulima Auction bidding site where additional items will be added leading up to the opening of bidding on Wednesday, October 11 at 12:00PM EST.
www.ironmanfoundation.org/laulima
www.ironman.com
