Proud 2XU ambassador Helen Kelly took the title of Victorian Cycling Pursuit Champion on Saturday night, after just two months of training. A former road cyclist, the weekend pursuit was Kelly's third only in the new sport - a brilliant result which has left the athlete exceptionally positive about her abilities and the challenges ahead.

"Given that I am so new to pursuiting, I'm really excited," said Kelly.

"I've been training hard, my collarbone is fully mended after a crash mid way through the year, and I'm really pleased with how I am transitioning from a road cyclist to a track cyclist."

Next for Kelly is the Jayco Bay Criterium Series (2 - 6 January along Melbourne's bayside regions). This will facilitate her preparation for the Track Cycling Nationals where Kelly will compete in the invidual pursuit on Feb 3.

"My goal is to ride an Australian qualifying time and make the Australian team to then race the World Champs in Polland in late March," she said.

Kelly continues to proudly train in 2XU's market leading cycling apparel - much to the envy of her fellow training buddies.

All at 2XU wish Helen the best for her many exciting challenges in 2009.

Australian ultra-distance runner and proud 2XU ambassador Brett Saxon completed the mighty 2008 Coast to Kosciuszko Ultramarathon, which took place last Friday December 12.

The annual 246km ultramarathon challenge starts at Boydtown Beach (Eden), winds its way to the Strzelecki monument atop Mt Kosciuszko at 2,228m above sea level and finishes 9km later at Charlotte Pass. Due to inclement weather, however, the highest 18km of the event was removed; reducing the overall course for 2008.

Brett's race report reveals the extremity of the challenge and the degree to which his 2XU supported him throughout the journey. Well done Brett!



Well I made it! The weather was extreme, sunny, 100Km/h winds, rain, sleet, and snow at the very top.

In brief, I made it with minimal issues, my hydration was near perfect, my nutrition intake was very good, my pacing steady and felt strong the whole way. Injury issues were very minimal with exception of blistering, due to rain and wet feet.

I wore my 2XU Compression gear for the first 24hrs then just shorts for the next 10 hours and back to my 2XU Elite Compression Tights - but also another pair over the top which served both for warmth and extra stability. I guess I was 4XU! I certainly felt that way, charging up the last 36K.

Despite sitting near the back of the field, I was really pleased to make it, particularly in well under estimate time. I completed the race in 42hrs:33min.

Apart from my feet, I have no chafing and my muscles are in really good condition - an absolute credit to my 2XU garments! A huge thanks to 2XU for the support you continue to provide me.

If you were catching the train, dining on Southbank’s boulevard, shopping in Bourke Street Mall or spending Sunday afternoon in St Kilda’s sunshine around Melbourne recently, chances are you crossed paths with 2XU’s stunning stunt-masters.

The eight gorgeous girls were out and about showing off their cheeky cross-belted hot pants and flamingo Body Compass hoodies from the Fitness collection and 2XU’s White Compression Race Socks, Women’s Free Fly Run Skirt and New Point Run Tee from the summer 08-09 Run collection.

To check out all the cheeky summer fun, view the 2XU stunt masters' YouTube video or join the 2XU Appreciation Society on Facebook!

Proud 2XU ambassador and Olympic Gold Medal Triathlete, Emma Snowsill, it set to grace the first cover of UltraFit Magazine for 2009!

As per the sneak preview of the Jan-Feb issue you see here, Snowsill will be wearing 2XU's market leading triathlon gear; specifically, our Women's Endurance Singlet and Women's Endurance Tri Short plus pockets.

The magazine will be on sale from January 1, however UltraFit is offering 2XU fans a free copy if you're one of the first 50 to email Michael Henry via office@ultrafit.com.au.

On December 28 (just 2.5 weeks away now), Tasmania will launch its first Surf Life Saving event in conjunction with 2XU and Swimming Tasmania - the 2XU Wild Oceans Open Water Swimming Premiership. The premiership will provide opportunities for both novice and advanced swimmers to compete in this new Olympic sport.

The 2XU Wild Oceans Open Water Swimming Premiership is a 5 race series supported with 10 community swims around the state through to April 2009. 2XU is supporting the Premiership Series via provision of 8 of our world-leading wetsuits to the premiership leaders. To be eligible to take out the premiership, swimmers must compete in all premiership events.

Race details for the 2XU Wild Oceans Open Water Swimming Premiership are as follows:

Pier River Swim 28 December 2008
Princes Warf No. 1 at the Taste of Tasmania
1.2km

Penguin Island Open Water Swim 2 January 2009
Hawley Beach at the Surf Club
Twilight Event
2km and 500m Novice rave

Australia Day Swim 26 January 2009
Kingston Beach at the Sailing Club
500m, 1km, 2km

Carlton Park Ocean Swim 21 February 2009
Carlton Beachat the Surf Club
500m, 1km, 2km, 5km

River to Bluff Devonport 28 March 2009
500m, 2km

For further information:

Sean McCarthy
Surf Sports and Member Services Officer
Surf Life Saving Tasmania
Ph: (03)62235555 Mob: 0417386798

Entry forms at www.slst.asn.au

Triathlon history was created in Tasmania last month, when almost 2000 school students from the age of 7 through to 18 competed in the inaugural 2XU Tasmanian Schools Triathlon Challenge.

Taking place at Bellerive Beach, Hobart on November 20 & 21, the event surpassed any other triathlon or multi-sport event ever held in Tasmania in regards to the number of competitors who flocked to participate!

Schools Triathlon Challenge Coordinator Tim Smith could not have been happier with the event.

"The event was absolutely a massive success and everyone involved has been so excited about its prospects for the future. From feedback and discussions with teachers and principals since the event, they are already indicating that we could get up to 3000 kids next year. The scope to develop this nationally is certainly being looked at and is very exciting," said Smith.

2XU's sponsorship of the event via provision of swim caps proved an event highlight. In true Tasmanian style, the weather for the primary event was atrocious, so the young competitors wore their caps all day long; in transition, in the swim, some even on the bike and run - even when they finished and got back on their buses!

The 2XU Tasmanian Schools Triathlon Challenge is the only officially sanctioned children’s triathlon in Tasmania and the State's youth responded accordingly.

With a strong body of premium sponsors such as 2XU on board, the event is placed to become one of the most highly anticipated on Tassie's annual sporting events calendar.

The concept of the 2XU Tasmanian Schools Triathlon Challenge is based on a philosophy of promoting active and healthy lifestyle choices to students, providing a pathway for students to become engaged in physical activity and to provide students with an opportunity to undertake an achievable personal challenge.

This 2XU Tasmanian Schools Triathlon Challenge will be followed by a second event in Devonport in March 2009.

“In future years, we plan to further develop the concept to offer the 2XU Schools Triathlon Challenge more broadly across the state and to encourage all students to get active regardless of their fitness level, specifically targeting additional events in the North, North West, West Coast, East Coast and Circular Head regions,” Stubbs said.

For more information www.tritasschoolschallenge.com or to view images from the event, visit The Mercury gallery online.

NSW’s mighty Newcastle Knights has extended its existing agreement with 2XU as the Football Club’s preferred compression supplier until October 31, 2009. With an uncompromising toughness and never-say-die attitude, Newcastle Knights' demand for the finest and toughest compression apparel has been successfully met by 2XU apparel for training and recovery purposes for 12 months already.

The dynamic alliance articulates the ever-growing demand for 2XU Compression in the high performance sporting niche. With a list of official partners now spanning the disciplines of AFL, Basketball, Netball, Athletics, Ballet, Cricket, Bobsleigh, A-League Football and more, 2XU Compression is rapidly permeating Australia’s exceptionally broad sporting market.

With impressive on-field results throughout the 2008 NRL season, much anticipation surrounds season 2009 for the Knights. This, combined with a new club culture and family focused environment, places the side in great stead for exciting times next season.

Armed with 2XU Compression, the boys in blue and red have another piece of their finely tuned performance equation in place. 2XU’s elite compression garments will continue to be worn by all players throughout training and recovery sessions to deliver a comprehensive array of physiological benefits; from improved circulation and heightened agility through to reduced muscle fatigue and damage.

With an obsessive focus on delivering superior fabrics and tangible benefits to the wearer, 2XU has built a highly technical range of sports apparel that reflects relentless research and development. Ongoing testing and consultation with World Champion athletes and sporting bodies such as the Victorian Institute of Sport has been a critical ingredient in the winning formula.

With stronger fabrics and a superior, well researched design, 2XU sets the benchmark in high performance compression.

If you're a regular reader of Herald Sun's ExtraWell section, you may have noticed last week's article, 'Those Mighty Tights', by section editor Daniel Hoy. We were only too delighted to read Daniel's compression review, which acknowledged 2XU as the 'Rolls-Royce of Compression Garments'.

We couldn't agree more!

To read the complete article, click on the link below. Happy reading.

Herald%20Sun%20ExtraWell%2C%20Those%20Mighty%20Tights%2C%20Nov%2024%2008.pdf

2XU officially celebrated the launch of its first Auckland store last Thursday night, with a glamorous catwalk show featuring its Tri, Run, Cycle and Fitness collections for Summer 08-09. The impressive Newmarket store was chocked to the brim with special guests including members of Auckland’s sporting elite, stars from Triathlon New Zealand (Tri NZ) and members of the media.





The successful summer celebration reflects 2XU’s ever-growing popularity amid NZ’s elite and everyday athletes alike. As an Official Supplier to the NZ Academy of Sport and newly appointed Official Supplier to Tri NZ, the arrival of the new store responds to the growing demand for 2XU’s world-leading high performance sporting apparel in NZ.

Located on Broadway in the cosmopolitan Newmarket precinct, the new 2XU store offers the absolute 2XU retail experience. Customers are treated to the complete 2XU new women’s Fitness range, Run, selected Tri and Cycle items and the highly acclaimed 2XU Compression collection.

Aidan Clarke, 2XU Director of Sales and Marketing, was delighted with the response to last night’s event.

“2XU is all about producing the finest researched and designed sporting apparel on the market. We work closely with world-class athletes and sporting bodies to achieve the best possible garments, so it was great to have so many of them there to toast the final results,” said Clarke.

2XU also sponsor’s numerous annual events including the 2008-09 Stroke & Stride, Wellington’s leading 2008-09 Contact Scorching Triathlon series, the Challenge Wanaka long distance triathlon and MORE FM Tri Woman Series in 2009.

The 2XU NZ Performance Centre is located at: 190 Broadway, Newmarket (Auckland).

For additional NZ stockist queries contact Robbie Johnston via 021-495 464.

2XU opened the doors of its second QLD store on Friday, this time launching on the Gold Coast at Shop 9, Cnr Elizabeth Avenue and Gold Coast Highway.



Located in the new Pegusus retail precinct in popular Broadbeach, the Gold Coast Performance Centre offers the absolute 2XU retail experience. Customers will be treated to the complete 2XU range of high performance sporting apparel – Triathlon, Run, Cycle, Swim, Fitness, Casual and the highly acclaimed 2XU Compression collection.

2XU is already the preferred sporting apparel of numerous elite athletes including Queensland’s (QLD) Olympic Champion triathlete Emma Snowsill and supplies its market leading Compression to numerous industry leading bodies such as Triathlon Australia, Rowing Australia, Athletics Australia, University of Queensland and many more.



The new Gold Coast store will be the second QLD 2XU Performance Centre to be managed by the family of local Australian triathlete, Felicity Abram, who now trains with Snowsill. The family was introduced to 2XU in 2005 when Fliss commenced her own sponsorship with the leading Australian label.

2XU has already developed a loyal following from QLD elite and everyday athletes alike, who flock to the successful Brisbane store for the latest gear and to liaise with highly trained retail staff.

Felicity is predicting the new store will be a huge success.

“The Gold Coast has such an active community with the beautiful ocean to swim in and so many great boardwalks for running and cycling, I have no doubt that 2XU will be very popular here,” she said.

“It’s great that Dad has already built the Brisbane store into such a success. I always have great advice on hand when I need it,” she continued.

An official launch celebration is scheduled for January 2009.

For more information about 2XU QLD, visit www.2xuqld.com.au

For additional 2XU QLD info, contact Bill Abram via 0414 748 776 or
info@2xuqld.com.au

Our brilliant young 2XU triathlete ambassador, Holly Aitken secured some fantastic coverage in the Sunday Age yesterday. Great to see Holly's hard work is spiking serious media interest.

See below for the precise article by Michael Sharkie (The Sunday Age, Nov 30, 2008):

All the best for your training Holly!

SUMMER means triathlon for one of Australia's most talented young athletes, Holly Aitken, and after braving an unusual Canadian summer earlier this year, she is looking forward to more familiar weather.

Competing in the ITU Junior World Championships in Vancouver, the 17-year-old finished 36th but found the 10-degree temperatures a little testing.

"It was very difficult competing in those conditions. It was only 12 degrees in the water, so (it wasn't) exactly inviting."

Determined to find form this summer, Aitken has been training hard to gain a place in the Australian team for the Youth Olympics in early January, starting with the qualifying Super Sprint Series at Runaway Bay in Queensland on December 12.

"We've got four races in three days, so it's pretty challenging, but if you make the top six after all the races you go to the Youth Olympics," she said.

A member of the Victorian Institute of Sport triathlon program, Aitken has been competing since she was 11. Her father, former Carlton footballer Ian Aitken, is her regular training partner when not at the Victorian Institute of Sport. She says their training got her started in triathlon. "Dad and I used to train together just to keep fit, for enjoyment. Someone suggested I give triathlon a go about five years ago and I've been doing it ever since."

Aitken has a busy summer and autumn ahead of her, with the Super Sprint Series followed by a national training camp. The Youth Olympics are next in January, and then there's a potential trip to the US as a part of her school's track team.

"We compete against all the best schools over there in all the best races. It's an awesome trip to be a part of."