March 19, 2009 (Aliso Viejo, CA) – Boulder’s Joanna Zeiger has joined the team of professional athletes sponsored by AVIA. A global brand rooted in multisport since 1979, AVIA has a history of creating great products for the runner, triathlete, weekend warrior, and endurance enthusiast. The signing of Zeiger, who is recognized as one of the most versatile triathletes in the world, brings even more depth to AVIA’s renowned team of endurance athletes.
A self-proclaimed puzzle geek, Zeiger took up racing triathlons after an accomplished athletic career in high school and college. “I was looking for a new adventure; I borrowed a bike and helmet and just jumped in a race,” noted Zeiger. “It was so much fun, I was hooked immediately!”
Two years after turning pro in 1998, Zeiger won Triathlete of the Year honors in 2000 for her fourth place finish at the Olympics and fifth place finish at the IRONMAN Championship in Kona, Hawaii. After graduating with a PhD in 2001 and overcoming chronic back injuries in 2004, Zeiger continued her racing career and won the ultimate prize in 2008: a victory at the Foster Grant IRONMAN World Championship 70.3 and the honor of accomplishing the fastest IRONMAN 70.3 race in history.
Already off to a tremendous start in 2009 with a victory at Florida’s Great Escape Triathlon and a third place finish at the Miami International Triathlon, Zeiger continues to train for a rigorous season of competition with races around the world including the New Orleans 70.3, Boulder Peak Triathlon, Muskoka 70.3 and the 70.3 World Championships.
“Our partnership with Joanna has a very organic feel to it and we are extremely proud to finally have her as part of the AVIA family,” stated Ed Goldman, vice president of marketing for AVIA. “Joanna has a passion for staying healthy, racing hard and enjoying life and we have always viewed her as one of the tri-community’s finest public speakers so we are thrilled to have her as a brand ambassador.”
