Posted: May 3, 2005

Triathlon: HSBC Bank Signs On As Swim Course Sponsor For The 2005 Ironman USA Lake Placid Triathlon

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – Ironman North America is pleased to announce that HSBC Bank USA, N.A will serve as the swim course sponsor at the Ironman USA Lake Placid triathlon on July 24, 2005.

HSBC Bank USA, N.A. has nearly 400 branches in New York State, a network of branches in Florida and California and one branch each in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Washington State, Oregon and Washington, D.C. It is the principal subsidiary of HSBC USA Inc, an indirectly-held, wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc., one of the nation's 10 largest bank holding companies by assets.

“HSBC is once again pleased to be a sponsor of the Ironman USA Lake Placid Triathlon and wishes the best of luck to all of the contestants,” said Beth C. Fipps, Senior Vice President of HSBC Bank USA, N.A.

This year will mark the 7th anniversary for the Ironman USA Lake Placid triathlon.

The 2.4-mile swim takes place in Mirror Lake, the 112-mile bike winds through the rugged Adirondack Mountains, and the 26.2-mile run finishes on the 1980 Olympic Speed Skating Oval. Regarded as one of the toughest, yet most beautiful, Ironman races in the world, Ironman USA Lake Placid is also considered one of the most popular events in all of triathlon. The 2005 event sold out to general entry in less than one day!

“We are happy to see HSBC continue to be a part of Ironman USA Lake Placid,” said Ironman North America President Graham Fraser. “Our partnership with HSBC will continue to help us make Lake Placid one of the most popular triathlons in the world.”

More information on HSBC can be found at http://us.hsbc.com.

For more information on Ironman USA Lake Placid, log onto www.ironmanusa.com.