Fatal Finances Forces USA Triathlon’s Push for Growth

Good morning everyone,

I’m a little late getting today’s edition out. Almost as if I ran past my bike in transition and have to double back to find it!

In today’s edition:

• 💸 Fatal Finances Forces USA Triathlon’s Push for Growth

• 🏊‍♂️ You can improve your open water swimming in the pool, here’s how!

• 🧘 And find stretching success with these ten post-workout stretches!

Thanks for being here.

-Matt Sharpe, newsletter editor

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Fatal Finances Forces USA Triathlon’s Push for Growth

What is it: USA Triathlon recently released the latest update to its strategic plan - Elevate 2028: Focus Forward. First implemented in 2021, the update to Elevate 2028 is meant to guide the organization through the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

The plan is built around five key pillars that the organization hopes will deliver much-needed success:

1. Build a thriving multisport industry.

2. Expand multisport participation.

3. Invest in high performance and elite development.

4. Evolve the brand.

5. Achieve organizational excellence.

Strategy stumbles: The initial years of Elevate 2028 have seen USA Triathlon struggle with million-dollar budget deficits, and a revolt against controversial membership changes. But the recent update does arrive amidst promising industry tailwinds.

• In the past weeks, USA Triathlon and IRONMAN have both revealed they’ve seen strong growth in the future-facing 18-35 demographic. With IRONMAN also highlighting a strong year-over-year increase in first-time participants.

Growth, above all: The major theme of the strategic plan revolves around “meaningful and measurable” growth of the organization and its key stakeholders including athletes and race directors. USA Triathlon has identified growth success metrics such as;

• Constituent retention and acquisition.

• Number and type of events and races.

• Participation, Retention, and Lifetime Value of Members.

• Youth, High School, Collegiate, NCAA Programs and Participation.

• Annual Net Profit.

CEO speaks: In an interview with Triathlete Magazine, USA Triathlon CEO Victoria Brumfield acknowledged that converting athletes from those who have done a triathlon to those who identify as triathletes is essential to growing the sport.

• Brumfield also highlighted investments in youth memberships, and a renewed focus/support for collegiate club triathlon as ways to retain and expand the number of athletes within the multisport ecosystem.

Providing more support for race directors is also a huge focus for Brumfield and Elevate 2028. The organization will aim to provide better data, mentorship opportunities, and create an industry marketplace to help drive down the costs of hosting events.

Tempo’s take: Pandemic-induced setbacks, bad budgets, and member revolts have all forced USA Triathlon to reevaluate its priorities and focus on what it needs to do to grow the sport and return to a healthy financial state.

• Ultimately memberships are the biggest source of revenue for USAT. So by growing that line item by having more athletes purchasing memberships, and more race directors able to provide a opportunities for athletes to compete, it will help the organization return to profitability.

USA Triathlon is the sport’s largest national governing body (NGB), so if they can find quick success, than the tactics they use could be employed by other NGB’s to help sustainably grow the sport across the world.

• But do you think organizations like USA Triathlon are doing enough to keep you engaged and help grow the sport? Let us know your thoughts!

Tempo Talks

Do Hills Really Pay the Bills?!

What do IRONMAN sellouts mean for the sport?

And how you can avoid debilitating health issues plaguing an IRONMAN World Champion?

All this and more in the latest episode of the Tempo Talks podcast. 

Together with The TriDoc, we bring you the biggest stories in Triathlon,

• Training tips to make you faster,

• And breakdowns of the latest in sports science and performance!

Don’t miss a moment; listen to Tempo Talks now! 

FAVORITES

🏊‍♂️ Open water winning: You may not be hitting the lake quite yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t practice open water swimming skills! This video breaks down seven open water skills you can practice in the pool that will help you get the most out of your swim on race day. Our advice? Focus most on sighting and drafting! [GTN]

🌟 Blueseventy brilliance: Or maybe you are ready to hit the lake?! Start your open water season ASAP with Blueseventy’s new Thermal Reaction wetsuit - built for cold weather performance in temperatures as cold as 8.5C/4.5F! It’s part of Blueseventy’s incredible lineup of new gear! And don’t forget TEMPO20 for 20% off everything!

🚀 Faster with age: Does aging automatically mean we run slower? Absolutely not! This article provides key insights on how to maintain, and even develop running speed as we get older. [IRunFar]

💪 Champion’s conditioning: As she prepares for another massive year of racing and another run at the IRONMAN World Championships, Lucy Charles-Barclay isn’t leaving any stones unturned. And this video shows the secrets of how she performs, fuels, and recovers during a big training day! [YouTube]

🧘 Stretching success: Stretching is a polarized topic in the endurance world. Should you stretch at all? Dynamic or static? Here at The Tempo we’re on team stretch - but strictly post-workout! And if you’re looking for stretchspiration, here are the ten best stretches you can do post-run. [Marathon Handbook]

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QUICK NEWS

PTO hire: The PTO is on a roll as they have announced another high-profile hire. Kerry Taylor, who previously held roles at Paramount and LIV Golf will be the new CMO of the triathlon startup. [Sportcal]

Roth revelation: Incredible elite fields have been announced for “the other Kona.” Laura Phillip (GER), Sam Laidlow (FRA), Vincent Luis (FRA), and Grace Thek (AUS) headline the pro races at Challenge Roth. [Slowtwitch]

Chloe competes: County Derry Paralympian Chloe MacCombe will be aiming for victory at this weekend’s World Paratriathlon series race in Australia.

SupertriE names: More elite athletes have been added to the SupertriE World Championship lineup including former World Champion Dorian Coninx (FRA) and Jessica Fullagar (GBR). [Endurance Biz]

Volunteers needed: XTerra is looking for volunteers for its Rudisio event on August 15-17. Roles include course marshals, timers, and aid station aids. [AOL]

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