Info on the Melpomene Institute

MEMORANDUM

TO:  USAT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FROM:   SHERRI WATTENBARGER, WOMEN’S COMMISSION CHAIR, 2002
RE:  WOMEN’S COMMISSION REPORT
DATE: JUNE 2002

            Since the last Board meeting, the Women’s Commission has stepped up its efforts to coordinate information with women all over the country concerning women’s-only clincs and races.  The following is a list of every known women’s only clinic and race scheduled for 2002:

Clinics:

*January 15 - August 11, 2002, Team CWW, Denver CO (Celeste Callahan’s Danskin Denver weekly training).  Contact Celeste Callahan at celeste_callahan@qwest.net

*Jan. 19, Feb 23, April 6, April 13, May 11, May 18, 2002, Women’s Open Water Swim Clinic, Austin, TX.  Contact Lisa Lynam at row4gold@hotmail.com

*February 4 - May 22, 2002, University of Texas Informal Women’s Triathlon Clinic, Austin, TX (weekly classes).  Contact Lisa Lynam at row4gold@hotmail.com

*February 15, 2002, Speech “Discovering Triathlons” Vacation and Leisure Show, Houston, TX contact Esther Ellis ebellis@telocity.com

*March 2, 2002, TriKC Women’s Triathlon Workshop, Kansas City, MO 8-5pm contact sherri.wattenbarger@usdoj.gov

*March 7, 2002, Free 2-hour class “Discovering Triathlons”, Houston, TX contact Esther Ellis ebellis@telocity.com

*March 9, 2002, Nike Women’s Triathlon Clinic, Beaverton, OR contact niketri@pmevents.com, www.pmevents

*May 11, 2002, Women Only Triathlon Academy Workshop, Katy, TX contact contact Esther Ellis ebellis@telocity.com

*March 15-16, 2002, Women’s Triathlon Training Clinic, Vancouver, WA (with additional optional group training thru June).  Contact Margie Crawford 503-624-1929

*March 16, 2002, Women’s Triathlon Clinic, Issaquah, WA contact Sammamish Club (425) 985-3572

*March 23, 2002, Women’s Triathlon Clinic, Everett, WA contact Silver Lake Athletic Club (425) 745-1617

*March 26 - May 28, 2002, First Tri and Still Tri-ing, Austin TX (10-week training program) contact Rita Radostitz at rita.radostitz@runtex.com

*March 30, 2002, Free First-timers Clinic for Speedo Women’s Triathlon, Houston, TX contact Esther Ellis ebellis@telocity.com

*April 2, 2002, Free 2-hour class “Discovering Triathlon” Webster, TX contact Esther Ellis ebellis@telocity.com

*April 13, 2002, Swim clinic for Vancouver Women’s Triathlon, Vancouver, WA 3-6pm contact Tri Sport 503-408-8303

*April 13, 2002, Triathlon Academy Women’s Only Clinic, Geneva, IL contact www.triathlonacademy.com

*April 20, 2002, Triathlon Academy Women’s Only Clinic, Claremont, FL contact www.triathlonacademy.com

*May - June, 2002, TNT weekly training (Team Northern Virginia Triathlete), Arlington, VA contact Ina at  ILBN@aol.com

*May 1, 2002, Free 2-hour class “Discovering Triathlons”, The Woodlands, TX contact Esther Ellis ebellis@telocity.com

*May 11, 2002, Triathlon Academy Women’s Only Clinic, Katy, TX contact www.triathlonacademy.com

*May 29, 2002, Free 2-hour class “Discovering Triathlon”, Houston, TX contact Esther Ellis ebellis@telocity.com

*June 8, 2002, Open water clinic/Optional bike, Vancouver Lake Park, Vancouver, WA. contact Tri Sport 503-408-8303

*June 16, 2002, Open water clinic/Optional run, Vancouver Lake Park, Vancouver, WA.  contact Tri Sport 503-408-8303

*June 17-August 19, 2002, Triathlon 101 and Triathlon 102 weekly clinics, Lee’s Summit, MO contact Peggy Donovan at tri101coach@aol.com

 Races:

*March 23, 2002, Trek Multisportwomen Off-Road Duathlon, Austin, TX

*April 21, 2002, Trek Multisportwomen Duathlon, Austin, TX

*April 28, 2002,  Speedo Women’s Triathlon, Sugar Land, TX

*May 4, 2002, Trek Multisportwomen Adventure Race, Austin, TX

*June 9, 2002, Danskin Women’s Triathlon, Austin, TX

*June 22, 2002, Power Maiden Sprint Triathlon, Athens, TX

*June 23, 2002, Danskin Women’s Triathlon, Sacramento, CA

*June 30, 2002, Nike Vancouver Women’s Triathlon, Vancouver, WA

*July 14, 2002, Danskin Women’s Triathlon, Pleasant Prairie, WI (Chicagoland)

*July 28, 2002, Danskin Women’s Triathlon, Devens, MA

*August 3, 2002, All Women’s Triathlon, Blue Lake Park, Troutdale, WA

*August 4, 2002, Danskin Women’s Triathlon, Denver, CO

*August 11, 2002, Nike Manteno Women’s Triathlon, Manteno, IL

*August 18, 2002, Danskin Women’s Triathlon, Seattle, WA

*September 15, 2002, Danskin Women’s Triathlon, Walt Disney World, Orlando FL

*October TBA, Nike Marin Women’s Triathlon, Marin County, CA

 These clinics and races are listed on the Women’s Commission website and will be spotlighted in the Women’s Commission’s report for the next edition of Triathlon Times.  Moreover, the Women’s Commission is interested in working with the USAT national office to sanction the Nike women’s triathlon series in a similar fashion to the Danskin series. 

            The Women’s Commission also is beginning preparations for the All-Women’s Breakfast at the National Triathlon Championship in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  The breakfast will be held on Friday morning, August 30, 2002.

             Finally, on the subject of sanctioned races, review of the recently released demographic information for the year 2000 reveals that five of the Top 10 USA Triathlon-Sanctioned Races in 2000 by Participation were women’s only races, namely five Danskin races.  The Women’s Commission would urge the Board to consider ways to increase the visibility of USA Triathlon and the Women’s Commission at the Danskin races.  The Women’s Commission has made efforts in this direction, but without a budget for these activities (such as funds to pay for booth rental and the like) we are at a loss.  We believe a stepped up presence at these races would lead to a corollary increase in USAT annual licenses, as well as an increased awareness of the full range of women’s activities supported by USAT.