MEDIA RELEASE: March 26th, 2008
Victoria, BC, Canada

International Athletes Confirmed for the Subaru West Coast Triathlon Series; Series Projects 100% growth.

LifeSport Coaching and Subaru Canada announced today that the 2008 Subaru West Coast Triathlon Series has confirmed the participation of several international pro and amateur athletes from across Canada, and internationally. It was also revealed that the 2006 Ironman Canada Champion, Jasper Blake will compete in the Series races and act as Subaru West Coast Triathlon Series spokesperson.

Some of the confirmed athletes returning athletes include:

• Jasper Blake of Canada, the 2006 Ironman Canada Champion and several time top 5 Ironman finisher.
• Bree Wee from Hawaii, a first year pro who is the holder of the all-time women's amateur record for the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii.
• Kim Loeffler from the US, who is the multiple time Ironman podium finisher, US Ironman champion, top American at the World Championships in Kona, and the women’s champion at the Subaru Shawnigan Lake Triathlon last year.
• Linsey Corbin from the US, who in her first full year as a pro featured several podium finishes, an Ironman 70.3 win in Mexico and was the top women at the Subaru Vancouver International Half last year.
• Katya Meyers from the US, who has recorded multiple top 10 Ironman finishes. She is also a recognized sports model appearing on numerous magazine covers.
• Cheryl Murphy of Canada, winner of the 2007 Subaru Sooke International Triathlon, top ranked marathoner, and top 5 finisher at Ironman Canada.
• Andriy Yastrebov from the Ukraine, who placed 4th in both Ironman Lake Placid and in Ironman Canada in 2006 and was the men’s champion at the Subaru Vancouver International Half last year.
• Lucy Smith of Canada, 19 time national champion, World Medallist, and 2007 Canadian Long Distance Triathlon Champion.

“The participation of this caliber of athletes reflects the quality and international flavor of our events, and the beauty of the race venues”, says series Director, John Botelho. “We anticipate series participation will increase 100% for 2008, providing a sport tourism economic impact of over $3 million to the communities. We now proudly present four world class events with the addition of one of the most popular triathlons in Canada, the New Balance Victoria International Triathlon”.

About the Subaru West Coast Triathlon Series

The Subaru West Coast Triathlon Series features four exciting events hosted in beautiful locations across Canada’s west coast. Athletes of all abilities, from first-timers to the top elite athletes, will participate in different distances including half an IronMan, Sprint, and Relay. The events will have a festival feel and include an expo, kid’s fun run, entertainment, and clinics hosted by top international coaches and athletes. The Series is managed by LifeSport, a company founded by Olympic Gold Medal and Ironman Champion Coaches Lance Watson and Paul Regensburg. LifeSport is the “Official Coaches of Ironman Worldwide”.

The Subaru West Coast Triathlon Series will kick off with Canada’s only May long distance triathlon in picturesque Shawnigan Lake featuring the Trans Canada trails. Next up will be the perennial sell-out New Balance Victoria International Triathlon held on the edge of Victoria at scenic Elk Lake. In July, Vancouver will play host the third stop on the Series in the magnificent setting of the Spanish Banks beaches framed by the backdrop of the city skyline and panoramic North Shore Mountains. The final race in the Series will be contested in the beautiful ocean side community of Sooke on the south western tip of Vancouver Island.

2008 Subaru West Coast Triathlon Series Dates

Race #1 – May 25 - Subaru Shawnigan Lake International Triathlon
Race #2 – June 22 - New Balance Victoria International Triathlon
Race #3 – July 13 - Subaru Vancouver International Triathlon
Race #4 – Sept.14 - Subaru Sooke International Triathlon