Posted: August 4, 2005

Triathlon: Ironman China Set for April 23, 2006

August 4, 2005 - The World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), owners and organizers of the Ford Ironman World Championship will add China to its already substantial list of global events. Ironman China will become the newest addition to the family of qualifying events for the Ford Ironman World Championship that takes place each October in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

The inaugural Ironman China will be held on April 23, 2006 in the resort city of Sanya on Yalong Bay. The event will have 75 slots for the Ford Ironman World Championship and will offer a $75,000 professional prize purse. The event will be produced by Ironman China Ltd. (ICL), a subsidiary of EWP Inc., in conjunction with Murphy Reinschreiber of PCH Sports Marketing, Inc.

“On my first visit to Sanya and Yalong Bay in 2002, I immediately recognized its potential as one of the newest Ironman venues. Sanya offers everything one could want in a host city - an exotic world-class destination, a solid infrastructure, a fast race course and government cooperation unparalleled anywhere in the world,” says Reinschreiber. “The 2006 Ironman China will be a first-rate production organized by Hong Kong-based veteran Tinny Tung. We look forward to not only producing a great event but to also building the participatory aspect of triathlon inside the world's most populous country.”

The 2.4 mile swim will consist of a two-loop course in the South China Sea. The swim will begin on the beach behind the Yalong Bay Monuments and the water is expected to be warm and calm. Athletes will pedal through the scenic city of Sanya into the rural villages of Hartsangwan and Linwag where large crowds and local color are expected. The bike course is likely to be very fast with flat and rolling hill sections. Riders may encounter a variety of farm animals along the course, including water buffalo. The marathon course is flat and runs along the Corridor of Coconuts on Sanya's spectacular South China Sea coastline. The finish line is located on the water at Haiyue Square where spectators and cultural displays will line the streets. Race day temperatures are expected to be approximately 26.6 degrees C or 79 degrees F.

Athletes can register now by visiting www.ironmanchina.com. The 2006 event will reach capacity at 1,500 athletes. For questions related to Ironman China, please email event organizers at info@ironmanchina.com or visit www.ironmanlive.com.

About Ironman China Ltd.
ICL is a Hong Kong subsidiary of EWP Inc., a Denver-based consulting firm that specializes in establishing bilateral business relationships between Chinese and U.S. companies. EWP president, Ji Dongning, is a native of Nanjing and spent twenty years working in Bejing within the International Department of CYL, an influential adjunct to the Chinese government. Many of Ms. Ji's former colleagues have risen to positions of power and influence within China, and EWP is able to provide its clients with unique opportunities to establish high-level contacts in support of their business objectives. For additional information about EWP, please visit www.east-westpartners.com.