Dec. 18, 2006 -- Sam McGlone might not top the various media lists for 2006 triathlete of the year, but who had a better year? She won six races. She won a world championship (Ironman 70.3). She won a major short-distance race (Accenture Chicago). She wrecked one of the most established course records in the sport (Donna Peters’ 1992 Wildflower record). She was undefeated at races over the Olympic distance. She was second at New York, third at Minneapolis and won in the heat and hills of Laguna Phuket in Thailand.
In a sport that is becoming increasingly specialized, McGlone won major races at two of three distances. McGlone plans to up her repertoire next season with a start at the Ford Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kona. “I’ve always felt that I’m better as the distance increases and full-distance Ironman has always been the end game for me,” said McGlone. “Racing in Kona in 2007 is a bit ahead of my intended schedule but I think the time and the circumstances are right to make the jump.” While time will tell if she can do the distance, McGlone seems to be another in a long line of oddities – Canadians who race well in the heat. On a hot day, in a hot place, she seemed air-conditioned while defending her title at Thailand’s Laguna Phuket Triathlon earlier this month.
With her Kona slot already earned by her 70.3 world championship, Sam has the luxury of conducting business as usual for most of the 2007 season. “My 2007 schedule will look a lot like 2006 until August when I’ll shift focus to Kona” noted McGlone. “While nothing is set, I expect to race a few half-Ironman/70.3 races, the Life Time Fitness Series, Alcatraz and possibly even some World Cup races. The question mark is whether I’ll go back to Clearwater to defend my 70.3 world championship. The addition of Kona to my schedule doesn’t necessarily mean I’m finished with the Olympics. I might step back down in 2008 and try to make the Canadian team. I’m young by Ironman standards, and there are plenty of years ahead for me to race in Kona.”
McGlone’s change of focus required her to make a careful assessment of her equipment. “Moving up from ITU racing to the 70.3 distance was quite an education in terms of equipment,” commented McGlone. While a number of equipment changes are in the offing, the big news is that McGlone has signed with Zoot Sports as her primary sponsor. “I want to be aligned with companies that are going the same direction as me, and Zoot is a great fit. We both believe that speed is in the details and we are constantly looking for new ways to maximize performance. Zoot has its roots in triathlon and really knows the sport and what it takes to be the best.”
Samantha’s multi-year agreement calls for Zoot Sports to be her primary sponsor and for her to race and train in the full range of Zoot Sports products, including apparel and the new Zenith Wetzoot. “We are very excited to be working with Samantha,” said Eli Carlson, Zoot director of marketing. “Aside from being a talented athlete, she has a wonderful personality and an exceptional work ethic. Her drive and commitment to be a champion in the sport of triathlon is a perfect fit with Zoot Sports’ current and future plans. All of us at Zoot look forward to the partnership with Sam and know that together we will build a bright future for her and Zoot Sports.”
Like Sam McGlone, Carlsbad, California-based Zoot Sports had a record setting year for revenue and market share. Zoot and McGlone share the same focus and commitment for the sport of triathlon, the same aggressive pace of success, and the same mantra that speed is in the details.
Below is a note we received from McGlone earlier this week:
Well, it is finally the end of a long season. It was an exciting year -- I think of it as a tale of two cities year: it was the best of times and the worst of times. In moving to Colorado Springs this year I learned some things about how I respond to altitude and as a result had some awesome races and some not-so-awesome results. In all I think it was a great year, capped off of course, with the 70.3 world championship and a win in Laguna Phuket a few weeks ago. It is always nice to end the season on a high note!There are some big changes for the 2007 season. It may come as no surprise to some, but I am officially switching my focus to long (er) course and non-drafting races. I am still keeping the Olympics in mind for 2008, but next year my main goal will be the Hawaii Ironman in Kona in October -- the Big One. It was a tough decision to decline my place on the Canadian National team for ’07, but I feel that with the Olympics coming up, it is only fair to step aside and let the other ITU girls take advantage of all the resources and funding available while I pursue other goals.I am very excited about next season -- it is not so much a change in direction as a logical progression, albeit a little sooner than I would have thought. I think it is the right time for me to make the jump to Ironman, and I still look forward to competing at the 70.3 and Olympic distance races for the early part of 2007 and then focusing on Hawaii in the late summer/fall.In all, 2006 has been a great year for me with six major wins including Chicago, Wildflower, Florida 70.3 and a world 70.3 title. I couldn't be happier with the way things have worked out -- after all it takes a little adversity to make you stronger. I am looking forward to many more years in a new arena of the sport. And of course, I couldn't have done without my amazing sponsors and supporters. Thank you all so much.Happy holidays -- time to relax, rejuvenate and pig out on turkey and too much chocolate. Enjoy!Sam