Tri-California Events announced at the first annual Triathlon America Conference that it has entered into a three year partnership agreement with Orbea as the ‘Official Bike’ and with Orca as the ‘Official Wetsuit’ of the Tri-California Event Series.
The tie-up between Orbea, Orca and Tri-California Events follows the official announcement from Orbea that it is working ever more closely with Orca, which has its origins in New Zealand.
Orbea, US-headquartered in Little Rock and globally in Mallabia Spain, has more than 50+ combined dealer locations in California.
"Tri-California brings to the table memorable and top quality races with a loyal athlete base on the West Coast," said Tony Karklins, Managing Director of Orbea USA.
"This program is a California investment, with a global perspective, to be part of the growth in the sport of triathlon."
Orca and Orbea have some of the most powerful dealers in California. All parties to the agreement feel that the partnership will bring mutual support and benefit, with Orca and Orbea becoming integral to some of the most well-known triathlons in the US.
"We are excited to see how Orca and Orbea can assist us in our mission to grow the sport," said Terry Davis, owner of Tri-California and a founding member of Triathlon America.
"We look forward to working with Orbea and Orca on many special activation projects over the three year period and we hope to see a greater number of the triathletes that race at our events enjoying Orbea bikes and Orca wetsuits."
Orbea will become the official bike for the Avia Wildflower Triathlons Festival in Monterey County (April 29-May 1), the San Francisco Triathlon at Treasure Island (July 8-10), the San Francisco Triathlon at Alcatraz (August 20-21), the Triathlon at Pacific Grove (September 9-11) and the Scott Tinley’s Triathlon in San Luis Obispo (September 30-October 2).
The Avia Wildflower Triathlons Festival alone has nearly 30,000 people in attendance, which makes it a good place to start out the new partnership.
Orca will be the official wetsuit for all of the above events and has additionally become the title sponsor of the Orca Alcatraz Challenge swim in San Francisco (May 22) and the Orca Alcatraz Challenge Aquathlon (July 17).
"The Bay Area swims are the most dramatic and talked about swims in the sport of triathlon with the San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz backdrop,” said Suzanne Karklins, North American Brand Manager for Orca.
”Orca is proud to place our names on these events and see this as a great opportunity to showcase our wetsuits."
Tony Karklins added, "Tri-California Events offer us the opportunity to bring our bikes up close and personal to the largest group of triathletes on the west coast.
"Our professional triathletes Craig Alexander, Hunter Kemper, Chris McCormack and Greg Bennett are all past winners of Tri-California Series events and have had nothing but good things to say about the organisations and are looking forward to working with the Tri-Cal team.
“Our goal is to significantly increase our sales on the west coast in the next three years."
