OK, let’s say a race organizer is putting on a sort of “Gran Prix” series of triathlon events: 3 proven events that are all linked together as a points series. You get some cool schwag for entering the series. One of the things you get is a nice Sugoi race singlet
custom sublimated with the race series colors and graphics.
Here’s the question(s):
Do we go “surf” inspired (like a surfing competition series) and do a brightly colored (safety orange for instance) solid color with the graphics sublimated on it like the fellows in the pro surfing series wear?
-or-
Do we do a little more sedate color story that might “wear” more nicely with the rest of your apparel and your bike color during the rest of the year.
Is it compulsory to wear the singlet during the race(s)?
If so, go with something bold & unique…bright colours, nice graphics, etc as you suggest.
If not, go with something neutral & subtle (black, white, grey, red always works) that will match existing kit so people will actually want to wear it outside of raceday…otherwise it’ll end up in the cleaning rag pile.
(edit: see the recent “worst race top of 2008” thread…)
I could see it driving some fence-sitters away…most will have stupid vanity reasons, others will have legit complaints (sponsorship, etc)
They tried it here for the national oly-distance series a few years ago but it didn’t last (for reasons unknown)…I believe there are a few race series in Oz that still have compulsory attire (a tank/singlet). IM South Africa has/had a race top which if worn during the event entitles the wearer to some sort of rebate/refund on their entry…I thought that was a novel idea.
Good call on the sponsorship thing. We anticipated that. Because of that concern there won’t be any “corporate”, company, manufacturer, retailer or other logos on it- only the race series motif itself. It will be “corporate sterile” to avoid that issue.
Yeah but if a participant can’t wear their own sponsor’s attire, that could be a problem. I’m kinda embarrassed to admit it as I’m very much a MOPer in my neck of the woods, but I have a pretty sweet sponsorship deal with my employer(s). I just have to wear their logos in the big(ger), high-profile events in my schedule. For the money they invest in me, if I raced one of those events without it they’d be pissed at the missed marketing opp…I’m sure I’m not the only one. Just throwing it out there Tom…personally I’d be a fence-sitter with this one, depends on the size/profile of the race(s).
We thought of that also. Our first question was, “How many people need to wear ‘sponsored athlete’ apparel?” I wonder how many people will *realistically *be affected by a desire to wear their own race top- either dictated by a sponsorship arrangement or by their own preference.
I’d like to make wearing the tops compulsory to race in the series if for no other reason than so competitors can keep an eye on each other in the event.
“Is it compulsory to wear the singlet during the race(s)?”
Hmmm. Good question. Do you think it should be? How would people view a rule like this? I can see arguments in either direction…
TTT requires it.
I’d love to do their race.
You don’t want to see me in anything that could even remotely be called a singlet.
To answer your question: If there’s a good reason to have uniqueness or visibility during the race, by all means go with the outlandish design. Otherwise I would vote for something that could be worn on other occasions. Not that it has to be devoid of color or design, but avoid things like flowers or pinks or skulls or flames or the like that are bound to turn off somebody.
Being a Detroit area triathlete, Ive raced the Motor City tri on Belle Isle and have never worn that butt-ass ugly jersey they gave us, some crazy orange and green design. Just make it look good, i dont want a frickin mural on my back, its a jersey not a painting.
used to be a clothing company in Fla back in the 80s that had an ordering option to check that said.“SEND ME YOUR WILDEST” I have always been a fan of that option…so i vote for the bold color surf design…
Tom,
Have you seen the HFP stuff? The team kit and the points series champion singlets are designed by the same guy. He seems to hit the mark with noticeable designs in colors that are not straight out of a hunting catalog. We hired him for our team logo and were very pleased. I like the idea of series singlets - the folks that win the points series seem to wear their singlets proudly in later races, thereafter providing free advertising for the series sponsor. My only beef: The manufacturer of the singlets does not use the same quality materials as Sugoi. I vote for lighter colors with small amounts of bright.
People can be picky about clothing–esp. what they wear for racing. I know I am… It’s a struggle to find something you’re comforatble racing in, so I can legitamately see not wanting to do something if you didn’t like what you’d have to wear. But I’m a girl, so maybe dudes are less picky.