https://www.foxla.com/...n-jeopardy-heres-why

---

Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

thx for that gman. have to think a known issue on the organizers part, i have no personal knowledge of it. fairly serious items, so no criticisms. still a possibility upon appeal according to that news piece. it was more about when i read of a 38 year history? that would hurt - both the organizers and the tri community. best of luck.

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http://www.PatGriskusTri.com USAT Certified Race Director
2024 Races: USAT State of CT Age Group Championship/State of CT HS Champs/ CT Club Championship - Sat June 15th (Oly/Du/Sprint) Hopkins Vineyard Tri at Lake Waramaug Saturday July 13th http://www.HopkinsVineyardTri.com

Here's the email we got today:

As we eagerly anticipate the 38th edition of the Malibu Triathlon and prepare to celebrate raising another $1 million dollars for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), we are reaching out to provide information and transparency over some challenges we are currently facing with this year’s event.
​
This year’s heavy rain in Malibu has led to flooding of the Zuma Underpass, which has been a key part of our bike course. We also learned in late-August that an endangered species, the Tidewater Goby, has taken up residence in the water. This means that the water cannot be cleared or bridged as has been done in past years, and this has forced us to redesign the course within the last three weeks.
​
Our team has done a remarkable job in coming up with an amended bike course on such a short timeline that will still provide an enjoyable race experience while also respecting the habitat of the local wildlife. No objections to this course have been raised by the relevant agencies and public bodies, who have deemed it safe for use. Full details of the proposed bike course are available via our FAQs.
​
Unfortunately, our permit for this event has been denied on a technicality. We are appealing that decision and are confident we will be able to hold the safe, enjoyable and inspiring event we all want while helping some of the most vulnerable in our society by raising vital funds for pediatric cancer research at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. We are so proud to have already contributed $18 million to CHLA over the years, and want this number to grow significantly still.
​
We plan to issue a further update on Tuesday, September 26, but of course we will be in touch immediately if we have information sooner. We would again kindly direct you to the FAQs as the source of the most detailed information we currently have and hope you appreciate the efforts we are putting in to be open and honest and to ensure we deliver another successful event.
​
Please Note: We are including links to information on our website. This information may change slightly between now and race day, so please be sure to check back on the website prior to race day for the latest updates! Official athlete guides will be sent out later this week.
​
Thank you for your understanding and support,
​
THE MALIBU TRI TEAM

The whole thing is a bogus excuse on behalf of the city of Malibu to finally get rid of the event. That stupid underpass has been flooded pretty much every year. It is similar to the ridiculous mitigations that they had to do at Leo Carillo a few years ago. The amended bike course would work, but it'd require 2 blockades on the PCH - and I am sure that this would make the locals even more pissed off. The CHP is probably is not gonna like it too much.

I think that the pro race can still proceed - they do not use the underpass in question.

Edit: looks like the bike course will be shortened and will be made up of loops in the parking lot. Fuck that, I am glad I am not doing it this year.

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Next races on the schedule: none at the moment

I hadn't signed up because of a possible conflict, which finally cleared up, and I was going to register (it was still open the day before), but then my wife calls out to me, there's a TV news report about the Malibu Triathlon being cancelled.

Only in California. Guess I got lucky. I wish at work I could have the attitude of the City of Malibu:

Commissioners insisted their hands were tied. “I support the aims and goals here wholeheartedly,” said Commissioner Kraig Hill. “The problem that we have is that this is not just about bureaucracy. We are being asked the break the law. The noticing requirement is the law.”

You know, there is a such a thing as the "spirit and intent of the law", and that you can violate the "letter" of the law, without violating the spirit and intent. Sir, we're going to have to arrest you for jaywalking. It doesn't matter that you were being chased by an assailant with a knife with the intent to kill you. We can't be expected to allow you to break the law. Clown show.

I guess we'll know today after the final appeal.

https://pepperdine-graphic.com/...el-malibu-triathlon/

That's terrible. I vividly remember practicing for my 1'st ever tri there in 98. The day before the race I went for a practice swim. 1/2 way through a few "fins" swam by me. I thought they were sharks and felt like I was waking on water to get to shore... They were not sharks, but to a lake swimmer - fins in the ocean can only be sharks.

The race is happening after all.

We are delighted to confirm that this year’s 38th edition of the Malibu Triathlon will take place as scheduled this weekend, September 30-October 1.
​
Malibu Triathlon would like to place on record its sincere gratitude to Malibu City Council for working with us to ensure the event will be a huge success.

As per our last communication, the altered bike course will proceed as planned. Please refer to our FAQs for full details.

In addition, we are very proud to announce that we have already reached an incredible $1 million fundraising threshold for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and this is before we even get to the event weekend itself.

This is a truly remarkable achievement and deserves celebration and recognition in the world of sport. It is thanks to you, your support and your effort, that together we can help to change the lives of some of the most vulnerable children and their families at a time when they need it most.

From the bottom of our hearts thank you, please prepare well and enjoy a wonderful race weekend.
Here you will also find a link to your comprehensive Athlete Guide. We trust that you will find all of the answers to your questions in this Guide.
​
Please Note: We are including links to information on our website. This information may change slightly between now and race day, so please be sure to check back on the website prior to race day for the latest updates!
​
We will see you at the start line on September 30th & October 1!
​
THE MALIBU TRI TEAM

I'd be really careful with that tri-crit that they will be running this weekend. Especially if you're in a Sunday race.

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Next races on the schedule: none at the moment

I mean I’m glad they got the green light, but holy cow. That has huge shitshow potential

Well the rain made the bike sketchy as hell. Managed to get in the aero bars maybe 40% of the time, but the turns and pinch points did not make it a pleasant ride at all. Watch says the swim was 2,000m instead of 1,500m which is a bit strange. I didn’t mind the rain at all, but the bike course sucked.

Last year my swim was close to 2100 yards. They changed the course layout last year and I am guessing that swimming into the current going southbound is just going to make like that all the time...

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Next races on the schedule: none at the moment

Got this from the organizers - seems like their permit is truly in trouble:

Dear past participant,


Once more, we need your help to ensure the Malibu Triathlon legacy continues.

As you might know, the Malibu City Council has initiated an RFP for the continuation of the Malibu Triathlon®. We at Super League Triathlon have been proud stewards of this event since its acquisition in 2020, a period marked by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We focused on revitalizing the event, enhancing its charitable impact, and creating deeper connections with the local community through increased numbers of partnerships. As well as continue to raise important funds for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).

As a company deeply rooted in triathlon, we also own and manage the Chicago Triathlon and NYC Triathlon. Alongside these, we organize professional events under the Super League Triathlon brand. The Malibu leg of the pro event over the last three years has featured Olympians and is supporting USAT's Project Podium, preparing US athletes for LA28.

Our vision is to establish a series of short-course legacy triathlons nationwide with Malibu, Chicago, and NYC to introduce the sport to new audiences and nurture the next generation of athletes. Our professional events, known for their excitement and entertainment, align with this goal.

Malibu City Council is presently evaluating the fate of the Malibu Triathlon, and a decision is due early in December.



The council is considering three options for the Malibu Triathlon: cancellation, returning the event permit to MESP, or continuing with us. Returning the permit to MESP, who sold it for commercial gain, raises ethical concerns and necessitates a name change due to IP issues. This option disregards our ongoing commitment to reviving the event post-COVID, the efforts done in fundraising, and our positive community impact. Cancelling the event or transferring the permit would also diminish its significant contributions to CHLA's pediatric cancer research.

Your support is crucial at this juncture.

Please consider emailing the city council, contacting other local officials and advocating for our continued management of the Malibu Triathlon and the continuity of the legacy event that you have enjoyed for over 30 years.

Below is a draft email for your reference, which you can personalize and send to the Malibu City Council Ad Hoc Road Race Committee.

Thank you for your time and continued support. Our athletes, CHLA, its patients and local Malibu community organizations are counting on us and YOU. We look forward to seeing you in 2024!

Warm regards,


Michael Dhulst
CEO, Malibu Triathlon / Super League Triathlon


Please send to Paul Grisanti - PGrisanti@malibucity.org and Marianne Riggins - MRiggins@malibucity.org and contact me with any questions or other ideas on how we can help this Malibu community event continue.

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Next races on the schedule: none at the moment

Why TF would a return of the permit to MESP even be on the table??

Money. Follow the money.

That's kinda wild. But I do find it interesting that a city is doing an RFP.

---

Washed up footy player turned Triathlete.

Without having any knowledge I’d just think SL has more assets than MESP. Last I heard he was living on a boat in Europe or some such

There's something wrong with this e-mail - in particular about how he's describing the legal situation.

You can't "buy a permit" from someone only to see it re-assigned by the municipality, can you?

Either SLT had a permit to organize the Malibu Triathlon 2024 or they didn't.

I'm not a lawyer, especially not a California one, but I'd assume that private property gets some protection there. In principle, if you buy something, you own it, and it can't be expropriated on a whim. Can it?

What Dhulst probably means is they bought a going concern which at the time was permitted to organize Malibu Triathlon 2020 or something, but what he is not saying the permit needs to be renewed every year at the discretion of the city. My guess.

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"FTP is a bit 2015, don't you think?" - Gustav Iden

I think that the permit was issued for a period of time, probably over a period of several years. I guess that if you have a permit issued to your legal entity DBA, you can sell your enterprise and the current permits would transfer with it?

I do know that the city didn't want this event for at least some time, mainly because it is a legit hardship for the locals not to be able to park on PCH for 2 days straight - but I guess that MESP had enough pull there to make it happen. SLT likely doesn't and I don't think that they retained very many of the MESP employees to know whom to even talk to in Malibu, given the last year's fish/underpass fiasco.

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Next races on the schedule: none at the moment

This is probaly sacreligious to say as this race/venue has a ton of history. But it seems like there's a ton of hurdles that the race venue is being confronted with over and over......so would it hurt to lose this venue? Again I get it, it's got the history and what the iconic beach location but it seems like the city is kinda saying "we dont want you" anymore.

---

Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

But it seems like there's a ton of hurdles that the race venue is being confronted with over and over//

I dont think there are a ton of hurdles, just the one of the city and permit issues. And that could just be 1 or 2 on the council pushing that, I have had that issue in the past in my races. All the individual issues are just basically made up ones to not give the permit. Nothing has changed really in the 30+ years of the race history, but people do change and have different agendas.


Sometimes it is as simple as two egos butting heads, the LA triathlon was eventually killed for that very reason. I had a partner who was similar in that he just didnt know when to keep his mouth shut, and got into fights with folks that have to sign off on your races. I have no inside info here, but the takeover of the original folks and the new sheriff in town could point to something going on there. Remind me again who funds Super League???

But you've gotta admit if the hurdles are the city and/or the permits; your pretty much not going to have a race there much longer. The writing seems to be on the wall. And I've thought the SL format in that parking venue only area while likely super cost effective just to be a "shitty" race experience for the racers with the continue crashes from the blown sand etc. 2 years ago the series leader crashed out, this year it was Rapp breaking her face on a crash. Like at some point it's like, why continue to put the athletes in that venue.

(of course the athletes aren't going to push back publicly, they can't; their hands are tied as they want SL to offer races even if it's "shity" venues)

---

Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

Sadly this seems to be the likely outcome.
However, it will be a very bad look for Malibu to cxl an event that fundraises a few millions a year for the CHLA.
FWITW, I emailed the city council, see below.

Dear Malibu City Council Members,


I have participated in 8 Malibu Triathlon events in the past. My family and I often swim and bike near Zuma during the warmer weather. I write to express our desire to see this event continue going forward.


We believe that the Super League organization has been a good steward of this storied event and granting them permits going forward is the right decision. This is a truly iconic event in the triathlon community that benefits the CHLA immensely through its fundraising.


Another important factor is that we need to support short course triathlon events around this country - they are a great gateway to fitness for many at a time when obesity and general lack of fitness are sparking a massive nationwide health crisis.


We trust the council will consider the value this event brings and allows the Super League organization to continue putting it on going forward.


Thank you for your time and consideration.

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Next races on the schedule: none at the moment

But aren’t the age group race and SLT Malibu two different stories, except for the fact that they have one organizer right now?

I do agree that the SLT course in the parking lot is utter shite; boring as well as unsafe. As an SLT fan I want a different venue. But if I was an amateur triathlete local to the LA area I would mourn a loss of the AG race.

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"FTP is a bit 2015, don't you think?" - Gustav Iden

Others in the thread may know in greater detail, but it seems like the issue with permitting is more to deal with the iconic non-draft race that has been a fixture for years, and maybe SLT is now the "RD" for both events? I would assume the SLT have very little permitting considering what it's the ocean and a parking lot. But I would assume if the AG event goes away there will be no SLT at this location moving forward either. It's amazing that a race that benefits the community and seems to not have a huge impact beyond race weekend gets treated like this. This isn't imo Lake Placid where triathletes flock there for weekends on end to train on the venue and it's become an the "locals" are tired of the event. This is the same event that gets movie stars / singers to do the relays each year right? Amazing this race continuing is even in question, which is why I've sorta summarized- if the city is creating road blocks seemingly every year now, isn't that your answer...seems they don't want the tri to continue (for whatever reason).

---

Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

ChrisM wrote:

Why TF would a return of the permit to MESP even be on the table??

and... Michael Epstein is back, just like that, DBA Zuma Foundation I guess....

Dear Triathlete:


I hope you are having a great Holiday Season!  As you recover from your Turkey intake and get ready for the rest of the Holidays, I wanted to assure you that triathlon is alive and well in Malibu.  I wanted to provide you with an update on the current status.


Last year - The City of Malibu voted unanimously to form a special committee to review the Road Races in Malibu. The result of that 6-month review was another unanimous decision to allow all interested parties to submit their proposal for putting on Road Races in the City of Malibu for the next five years. That review process was completed and a third unanimous decision was issued by the Road Race committee to award the triathlon event to the Zuma Foundation, a Non-Profit Corporation created by Malibu Residents to not only raise funds for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, but to also support local youth initiatives.


Malibu City Staff and the Malibu City Attorney have prepared a five-year agreement between the Zuma Foundation and the City of Malibu. Final approval of the recommended agreement by the Malibu City Council will take place on December 11, 2023. If you are interested, please see the Council Agenda Report for a full description of the recommended action to be taken by the Malibu City Council .


There is no need for worry or concern about the future of triathlon in Malibu and 2024 will be a great year!


Regards,


Michael Epstein
Executive Director
Zuma Foundation

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Next races on the schedule: none at the moment

Wasn’t he a bit of a pariah following the LA tri at Torrance fiasco or am I misremembering things?

Pretty sure it was Jack Caress ie Pacific Sports.

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Next races on the schedule: none at the moment

Good news for the triathlon but is there still a concern that the bike course will have to be continued to be modified to short loops because of the tunnel environmental issue? The single out and back course along the PCH is iconic - if that’s gone then this is a Pyrrhic victory.

Ah, yep

I read the council 12/11 agenda and it makes more sense. There are only two permits available to close PCH for a race and there’s already a half marathon, this is the other. MESP entered a 10 year agreement 2013-2023 to put on the tri, that was assigned along with the permit to a couple entities most recently SLT. Now the agreement is up and the city requested and received 4 RFPs for an agreement going forward, MESP is the recommended submittal

Oh this is interesting.


https://www.slowtwitch.com/...ne2SE7jLoJHXMgznXtnI

---

"FTP is a bit 2015, don't you think?" - Gustav Iden

I spent way too much time rolling through about 17 hours of City Council footage to find that chestnut.

Other stuff I found interesting:

• The Zuma Foundation was only founded in July, 2023 -- roughly a month before the RFP process was opened.
• I can't find anything from the Ad Hoc Road Race Committee in re -- decision making to get to the RFP.
• Still not entirely sure how Epstein gets around the IP and any kind of non-compete issues he may have following the sale of those assets to Motiv (and then Super League).

Super League mentioned Malibu once in their release about taking over the Legacy Triathlon -- namely, that Legacy will continue to support Children's Hospital LA and add to the figures raised since Malibu's inception.

---

----------------------------------
Editor-in-Chief, Slowtwitch.com | Twitter

That Epstein guy may be good at backroom dealings but his PR sucks.

Not only is he the bad guy in the story (however neutrally you may be reporting it), but I mean how do you try to do something public in California under this last name, LOL

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"FTP is a bit 2015, don't you think?" - Gustav Iden

Apparently SLT have now acquired the Long Beach Tri too (the one that will be used for the Olympics in '28). Maybe as an about-face or alternative to Malibu?

Malibu awarded the permit to Epstein. https://www.slowtwitch.com/..._Triathlon_8870.html

Again I watched another four hours of stuff. Brief additional notes:

• Epstein turned out a fair number of community members to support his bid during comment.
• Silverstein had a lot of fair, pointed questions, to both Super League and Epstein. Brennan (SLT rep) was pretty damn forthcoming. Epstein was evasive to anything beyond "here's what the new event will do," including questions regarding potential legal concerns, a non-compete, and whether he made a profit in the sale of the event in 2019.
• Councilmembers seemingly really wanted a "local" event -- they cited that for both permits they awarded on Monday night.
• Brennan did mention that SLT would explore all legal options, as they own the IP -- the name, the course, etc. The name is changed. But the course all is the same as what SLT owned the rights to. That'll get interesting.

Ultimately? People wonder why there isn't more of a market for race directors to sell beyond big corporations -- this is why.

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----------------------------------
Editor-in-Chief, Slowtwitch.com | Twitter

Good the local event won through
These days triathlon has got burred with pros and money, it is really all about mass participation
How would everyone feel if there local 5k running race got bought out and all the top runners in the world have a pro race instead? it would never happen for a start

I love triathlon but it has to realize it is not formula one and most triathletes don't know or care about pros and big prize money

To be clear, Super League was running the event with a local RD, and was very actively supporting the age-group event and Children's Hospital LA.

From a business of triathlon perspective, though, this is pretty awful if you're an RD looking for an exit strategy for your event. Either you get *very* lucky in finding a local person to sell to (kinda what happened with Mark Walter and Sun Multisport in the northeast with Outsider Endurance), or you sell to IM (or RnR if you're a half), or you shutter the whole thing. But now you also have the thought process that, at any time, the person who you bought the event from might worm their way back in and take the permit.

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----------------------------------
Editor-in-Chief, Slowtwitch.com | Twitter

I've purchased or attempted to purchase 3 races.

The one I purchased agreed to a non-compete. They were a national charity that wanted out of the event, and we wanted to see it continue for our community.

2 other local race directors where I tried to purchase their events that they wanted to sell would not agree to a non-compete. I walked away; the events eventually went under.

A destination event we were interested in acquiring wouldn't share financial info with us. The event still sits unsold, and the price has now increased by $100,000.

I just shake my head, just like I did when I first started hearing about the Malibu Tri situation, can't see how there won't be litigation.

---

Boots
Fleet Feet Rochester, NY
Fleet Feet Buffalo, NY
YellowJacket Racing, Rochester, NY

Did Super League insist on a non-compete from Epstein? If not, that's pretty amateur of them. If they did, and Epstein said, "Sure for a fee" and they didn't pay want to pay the extra the fee.... well the chickens have come home to roost either way (whatever that means).

I do agree it's pretty crappy on one hand, BUT all this really means is that when you buy from an RD you need to insist on a non-compete. Ironman makes every city essentially sign a non-compete when it comes to their distances. Why would Super League not insist the very business they were buying out didn't compete with them in the same location/distances? That's just bizarre. Every acquisition I've been involved with, on a very small level even (25k) had at least a 5 year non-compete.

That being said, Super League's amateur hour (at least how it appears from the outside) costs the community a lot. I don't believe this RD is actually better for the "sport" or "the local community", but he's certainly doing a good job at lining his pockets. What remains to be seen is if Super League will need to go back and cut a deal with the guy who they feel burned him. Is that possible? Wouldn't Epstein be willing to work the Super League race in for additional revenue? Or does Super League not work at all because they need the local racers to fund their own race? Isn't the alternative to go to Huntington Beach or elsewhere and build that up with their own local RD?

You were one of the people I was thinking of when going through all of this stuff.

How're the run shops doing?

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----------------------------------
Editor-in-Chief, Slowtwitch.com | Twitter

Shops are doing well, super busy and races are almost back to pre-covid numbers.

Oh yeah, when I bought one of my retail stores, there was a "you are not going to have a similar retail store anywhere near me for a very long time" clause (with anywhere near me clearly defined). I'd be shocked if SLT didn't have one in place, it's not like they were buying a small event, MESP had been a big player for a very long time.

---

Boots
Fleet Feet Rochester, NY
Fleet Feet Buffalo, NY
YellowJacket Racing, Rochester, NY

Super League acquired the race from Motiv, who had bought it from Epstein. The non-compete was with Motiv. I'd assume that it was transferable from there, but without seeing actual agreements...you never know.

SLT alluded to a non-compete in the meeting last night, in addition to their IP rights. Epstein insisted it had expired or was unenforceable. Whether or not that's true will likely be up to the lawyers.

I also think that Super League joining up with USAT on the Legacy Triathlon (to benefit CHLA) is their move. Whether or not they'll agree to sell the IP back to Epstein is another thing.

---

----------------------------------
Editor-in-Chief, Slowtwitch.com | Twitter

Did Super League insist on a non-compete from Epstein? If not, that's pretty amateur of them.//

What's amateur is folks that dont read the articles, then pretend to comment on them from a headline..


To refresh; Epstein sold the race to Motiv. Motiv then sold the race to Super League, so there was no contract between SL and Epstein.


It is a pretty shitty deal all around, really takes the value that a RD builds and makes it pretty much shit. I can see a lawsuit here, but in the end suing cities is usually a losing proposition. SL did nothing wrong, they kept the AG race, continued to donate to the Children's hospital, and grew the event. They also made it a stop on a world wide tour for pros, which was a great combination of all the aspects of our sport. Perhaps something behind the scenes, but looks more like a personality thing that sunk them in the end..

So you confirm there was no non-compete at the venue in general. There's absolutely no non-compete in place if Motiv didn't have a long term one with Epstein then? Why should Super League be insulated from competition? Why shouldn't the elected officials make the decision they think is best and grant a permit to someone else if there's no non-competes?

Again, if Super League or any race operator thinks the investment they put into an event on a yearly basis is too high to recover in a single year of operation, they need contracts in place to ensure they can recover that cost over multiple years. If they are investing for the long term they need to cover their butts for the long term. Amateur hour.

And of course not reading every single piece of information I can find on the issue before commenting is amateur. I'm not billing anyone for my research or my time or my conclusions. It's literally the definition of amateur. Unlike Super League... who is spending a lot of money. And apparently doing so assuming no one would ever want to compete with them or that a city council would automatically defer to them.

The race goes on, SLT needs to find a new home. They can launch/defend lawsuits and all be poorer if their egos prefer to throw punches at their bank accounts expense. Or move on and spend their money/energy doing something productive.

edit:
More amateur hour thoughts, assuming "Malibu Triathlon" is the trademarked name SLT bought or even the common law trademark they operated under they can certainly claim some damages if Epstein operates under that name. That doesn't give them access to the venue, and most likely, at best they won't even get damages just an agreement to not call the new thing Malibu Triathlon. But that's a legal battle the lawyers can opine on whether or not trademarking the name of a sport and a city name can hold (if anything the city should have first right there no?). If so, Chicago Football and Los Angeles Basketball, etc. become fair game for someone to assert ownership of. If it was Malibu Battle on the Beach Triathlon, that's a mouthful someone can claim ownership on, etc..

Well I don't think the goby fish are going anywhere so the course is gonna suck. It's not worth going back no matter who is in charge, especially if prices stay as they were last year.

Dear SLT,

Come on over and help run the NCAA National Championships w/ pro SLT race since this race may be gone?

Thanks
NCAA programs that need that format to get to 40 schools and NCAA championships status

---

Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

You can own IP in a course run on public streets/ in the ocean? Huh

This was exactly one of my questions/curiosities about this whole deal. We owned pretty much all of the triathlons in Boulder in the early 2000's, and several subsequent events used our exact courses. While we did not register or TM the routes themselves, I figured the City of Boulder ultimately had the control of the streets. As for the non-compete, having had one after we sold our events to Ironman, it may have been just for the 3 years; or, as previously noted, complicated by the initial sale to Motiv, not SLT. Definitely a bummer for SLT; but, clearly a well-played, very local political move by MESP.

So I know the whole Middle East "brand" has a whole lot of controversy. And I know in golf the LIV brand is 100% "middle eastern" backed money. But was the SLT always big with that association? I know they have their final event on that island in the middle east that's like nothing there but the structure. And of course someone had to financially back the SLT. I know McCormack has had some Middle Eastern money backers for a long time with that "foundation" that has sponsored pro's forever now (AB was part of it way back in the day may even still be apart of it I believe) now and I know he was one of the biggest proponents and the face of the SLT organization basically since day 1- so I guess it shouldn't be a surprise. Maybe they did a better job of "hiding" the association much better than say the LIV brand (that seems to be very much in your face about who's holding the money bag). Or maybe we are just so small of a sport the association kinda gets swept under the rug and/or I blindly ignorantly ignored who's the true backers of SLT. So is the billionaire who backed SLT is he among the "sports washing" narrative, I always thought/heard he was European; again maybe my blind ignorance is more showing on that particular subject of who's the real money man in SLT. I just didn't think they had the same "sports washing" type of narrative that say LIV organization deals with (and I'm sure it's there in other sports as well).

Eta: I knew there was ME association I guess I didn’t know the degree like with LIV golf everyone knows it’s basically all backed by oil money. SLT I didn’t think it was the same all in from oil money association. Maybe that’s because golf has much bigger draw than little ole triathlon.

---

Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

So I went to the U.S. Patent Office (using my fingers and an internet link) and made a very interesting discovery.

Ryan, you want to take a look at this too.

The Malibu Triathlon is a protected trademark of Malibu Triathlon Productions, LLC. The application was filed August 26, 2022 and registration was granted October 10, 2023.

My immediate thought: "this is probably how Super League named their U.S. subsidiary".

Well, no. It's a subsidiary of USA Sports and Entertainment, doing business as Motiv Sports. Super League acquired the event as Super League Holdings PTE LTD based in Singapore.

So a year after transferring its agreement with the Malibu municipality to Super League, Motiv Sports files to register in its own name the trademark Malibu Triathlon, and obtains the registration.

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"FTP is a bit 2015, don't you think?" - Gustav Iden

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonid_Boguslavsky
this is the main founder
https://triathlonmagazine.ca/...anadian-citizenship/
so certainly no middle east connections here or lets say not more than world triathlon... iam not to into it of is connections with putin but he does not seem to be sanctioned.

Oops. The SLT's lawyers were quite shit so it seems.

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All that brouhaha aside, I've seen breathless posts on IG and elsewhere which are basically press releases by SLT about how this decision somehow ruins the 38 year tradition of Malibu Tri. Granted, i only did it once as the bike leg of a relay (and the whole thing was a crowded shitshow although a great venue) so don't have anything invested in the race, but I am failing to come up with the outrage they're demanding of me.

-Epstein was in charge for the recent portion of that history, not sure who owned prior to 2013 but 2013 - 2017 he certainly put on the race most people remember, Was he in charge in Nautica days? At any rate, SLT is only responsible for 3 of those 38 years, not seeing where they have standing here

-So it's not called the Malibu Tri. OK, frankly I don't care what the races I do are called.

-Loss of SLT - OK, I can see that's a cool option to have at the venue, actually stopped on a long ride to watch in 2021 and it was fun to see. But it wasn't on the Oly day (i think it was sprint day) so many didn't even get to see likely.

-It's now a one day event - this would have congestion and crowd issues, limited to 4K don't know how many were there before. Again, not on my schedule so agnostic here.

-Optics - Epstein sold the permit, it was valid for another 3 years, then he re-acquired the permit. Back room dealings? Welcome to small town politics. But seems he responded to the RFP fair and square and a process was carried out in which Malibu CC gets to make the call they feel is best for the town

-I can't say it's a bad decision to move from SLT ownership to local ownership (or at least more local).

I mean, it's fun to talk about on ST at all, but even if I were a regular participant I don't really see how this is all that bad (other than race consolidation)

Epstein ran it since the time immemorial - he was already there in 2009 when I did it for the 1st time.
The only loss that I see is the removal of the Olympic course option which I am guessing was what the city really cared about. I am not going back to the short course race because it was frankly overcrowded and downright dangerous even in 2016.

It is a major boon for the Santa Barbara tri imo!

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Yeah, I thought he ran it for quite some time but wasn't sure

From what I read, they are still offering an Oly and sprint. Max number 4K, not sure how many they used to have but the one i did was super crowded. Should not be a bike course problem if they still go under the bridge at Leo for the sprint (gobies notwithstanding at the Zuma bridge).

Funny, as for SB, that is also under new ownership the last couple years and no one seemed to squawk about that race

From Epstein's email on 01/09:


Saturday, September 14


Zuma Foundation Triathlon for Kids Ages 9-14
100-200 yd Swim, 2-4 Mile Bike, 1-2 Mile Run


Sunday, September 15


½ mile Swim, 18 mile Bike, 4 mile Run
1.5K Swim, 40k Bike, 10k Run


ie no more Oly on Saturday. Makes sense since the local likely bitched about dealing with no parking for the entire weekend.

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Thought I read in one of the stories that an Oly included but, from the horse's mouth ....

But frankly, it is a return to the classic as the Oly was a more recent addition.

What’s the latest on the zuma triathlon? Is it still going ahead?

Not much updated on the website, but this is where you'd want to look for info: https://zumabeachtriathlon.org/

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Editor-in-Chief, Slowtwitch.com | Twitter

They had a ride and bbq kind of event for the corporate team captains about a month ago. I didn't go, but some people went and it was described as lightly attended.
Pretty sure that it will happen this year, but I personally am very hesitant to do the classic course as the bike gets too crowded.

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Thanks for the replies
I was actually inquiring for my son to try and find him
Events to do during the summer. We opted out of going to nationals due to the cost ($1500+) for 2 for a 16 min race isn’t really worth it.

Cancelled for 2024, and methinks it is not coming back in 2025.
Quite a few Corporate teams rolled over into the Long Beach Legacy tri in July - the same RD behind it, but the course is uninspiring as all hell.

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Yep, made official today via email even though their website is still proclaiming registration coming soon :).

https://mailchi.mp/...sophias-honor-372893

Cancelled for 2024, and methinks it is not coming back in 2025.
Quite a few Corporate teams rolled over into the Long Beach Legacy tri in July - the same RD behind it, but the course is uninspiring as all hell. //

Ok I'm confused here, isnt the Zuma foundation the old Epstein group that took back the race from Super League??? I mean Super League got to keep the name they paid for, Malibu Triathlon, and then that other group then called their the Zuma Triathlon? Do I have that right, or am I mixed up.


And if so, then the Long Beach group is the Super League one and polar opposites and enemies in the RD arena...So kind of a big deal if this is the case, unless I have it ass backwards..

If you’re in the L.A. area, the L.A. Tri Club has a free training/coaching program for teens, and the coach might have a good handle on potential events.

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Sharon McN
@IronCharo
#TeamZoot
Clif Bar Pace Team 2003-2018

Unfortunately not. We are in Carlsbad, San Diego. Nothing much here for kids training wise 3 races for kids between now and October
It was much better when we lived up in the Bay Area we had the TBF races, both duathlon and triathlon for kids. All awesome races. The Bay Area races or the Silicon Valley races were over populated with entrants. Great for first timers but after that, way too expensive for a poor race
It’s why we are considering a move back to the UK. I was born there and kind of miss it and the youth scene is 100 times better than here

All of it is correct.

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Then how does this make sense, different RD's for each of these races??

"Quite a few Corporate teams rolled over into the Long Beach Legacy tri in July - the same RD behind it"

The RD for LB is no longer the RD for Zuma.
The folks that were doing the corp teams work for SuperTri/Malibu (ie Veronica H) moved on to use the LB tri as their mechanism for raising money for the CHLA. Corporate teams participate in the fundraising effort mainly.

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JFC this is worse than a Real Housewives reunion (my wife watches, what do I know...)

I agree that '25 is doubtful. With these races, taking a "year off" is typically the kiss of death.

I did the Legacy tri in ... 22? 21? At any rate the bike and run course are uninspiring. Bike had a LOOOOOOOT of potholes as I recall in one section

So has Epstein been thwarted? He seems like the villain in this series.