Ogden, UT—April 22, 2008— Adding to its already prominent list of ambassadors, Suunto USA has signed World Champion triathlete and Olympian Andy Potts to a sponsorship agreement. Potts was a decorated collegiate swimmer and after only two years in triathlon competition, earned a spot on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. Following an incredibly successful 2007 season, Potts is currently campaigning for ticket to Beijing this summer.
“I have been looking for the right heart rate monitor for a long time,” said Potts when discussing why he was attracted to the Suunto brand. “Suunto offered everything that I was looking for in a heart rate monitor all in one.”
The sponsorship will team Potts with fellow triathlete and Suunto ambassador Matty Reed. Both Potts and Reed are competing for spots on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team and a trip to China.
“Suunto is proud to add Andy Potts to our decorated list of ambassadors,” says Martin Schamboeck, Sports Marketing Manager for Suunto USA. “This now gives Suunto two great athletes in the triathlon world.”
After leading the entire field out of the water at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and ultimately finishing 22nd overall, Potts established himself as a fierce competitor on the International Triathlon Union (ITU) draft-legal circuit with his 2005 Edmonton World Cup victory.
Potts began competing in triathlons professionally in 2003 when he was named the USA Triathlon Rookie of the Year by becoming the first rookie ever to be ranked in the Top 100 ITU World Rankings.
Due to his rich pedigree in swimming and competitive drive, Potts has been able to transfer his athletic ability flawlessly into triathlons. During his collegiate swimming career at the University of Michigan, Potts was a two-time Big-10 individual champion, six-time All-American and won a Bronze medal in the World University Games and an individual National Championship in 1995.
During his relatively short career as a triathlete, Potts has garnered numerous awards. USA Triathlon has twice named him Olympic/ITU Triathlete of the Year (2006, 2007) and thanks to major 2007 wins at California Ironman 70.3, Escape From Alcatraz and Ironman 70.3 World Championships, Potts was also named the Multisport Non-ITU Athlete of the Year to recognize his non-drafting prowess.
Suunto is a leading designer and manufacturer of sports instruments for diving, mountaineering, training, orienteering, hiking, skiing, sailing and golf. Suunto sports instruments combine the aesthetics and functionality of watches with sport-specific computers that help athletes at all levels analyze and improve their performance. Headquartered in Vantaa, Finland, Suunto employs more than 500 people worldwide and distributes its products to nearly 80 countries. The company is a subsidiary of Helsinki-based Amer Sports Corporation with sister brands Wilson, Atomic, Salomon,Precor and Mavic.
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www.suunto.com