Posted: January 4, 2006

Triathlon: Recover-EaseTM Announces 2006 Athlete Sponsorships

Ficker and Vifian Headline Athlete Roster

Shrewsbury, MA January 2, 2006 – Recover-EaseTM, a new science-based endurance athlete recovery supplement from TalMark Nutrition, LLC has announced the sponsorship of Pro Triathletes Desiree Ficker and Marcel Vifian for the 2006 season. In addition to the Pro sponsorship, the company also announced the selection of twenty-four amateur athletes who will compete as part of Team Recover-Ease in a variety of endurance events.

The sponsorships of Ficker and Vifian are designed to give Recover-Ease exposure at the highest level of triathlon as both will compete in a variety of Ironman and 70.3 Series races. In addition to their race schedules, both athletes will promote the Recover-Ease brand at a variety of clinics and talks throughout the year.

About the Athletes:

Desiree “If it’s hurting me, it’s killing them!” Ficker (Austin, TX) – Desiree is a shining star on the Ironman circuit having recently made the switch from Olympic distance racing and duathlons. A new member of the renowned international Team Tri Dubai, and 2001 USAT Rookie Professional Triathlete of the Year, her recent accomplishments include:

*	2nd place, Ironman Arizona, 2005
*	2nd place, Ralph’s Half Ironman, 2005
*	2nd place, Eagleman Half Ironman, 2005
*	1st place, Capital of Texas Triathlon, 2005
*	1st place, Treasure Island Triathlon, 2004

In 2006, Desiree will compete at Ironman Arizona and several Ironman 70.3 races culminating her season with both the Hawaiian Ironman World Championship and the Ironman 70.3 Series Championship. “Recover-Ease has sped up my recovery time between my longer, more intense workouts. I take 4 capsules immediately following my training sessions and my legs are much fresher and my body less fatigued during my next workout,” said Desiree.

Marcel Vifian (Park City, UT) –Marcel caught the Triathlon bug early at age 16 and has been a top competitor in the sport ever since. A member of the US Elite National Team since 1997, his recent pro highlights include:

*	1st Place (new course record): Halfmax Triathlon, 2004
*	2nd Place: US Professional Long Course Championships, 2004
*	1st Place: Buffalo Springs Lake Half Iron Triathlon, 2055
*	2nd Place: Timberman Half Iron Triathlon, 2005
*	3rd Place: SOMA Half Triathlon, 2005

Marcel started using Recover-Ease in the middle of his successful 2005 season and was amazed at his ability to “bounce back” from hard efforts. “Recover-Ease gives my training that ‘extra gear’ that I need to train and compete at the highest level” said Marcel. For 2006, Marcel is looking to dominate the Ironman 70.3 Series with six events on his schedule. He also plans on racing at Ironman Canada and at the Ironman World Championships.

“We are excited to support two of the best in the sport of triathlon,” said Dr. Shawn Talbott, TalMark Nutrition Chief Scientific Officer and Recover-Ease product developer. “As a Triathlete myself, I am in awe of the dedication and physical prowess of the top athletes and I look forward to helping them succeed through providing a top recovery product to supplement their rigorous training regimes.”

In addition to the pro athlete sponsorships, Recover-Ease is please to announce the first round of amateur elite athletes that will be competing in a variety of endurance events around the country. Team Recover-Ease athletes will be on site to promote the product and distribute free sample packs. The first round of athletes include:

*	Bill Vickers (MD) – Triathlon/Adventure Racing/Running
*	Mark Ingle (AL) – Triathlon
*	Brian Smallwood (CA) – Triathlon
*	Ron Tribendis (TX) – Triathlon
*	Guy Tann (NM) – Mt. Bike
*	Namarita Kumar (GA) – Adventure Racing/Mt. Bike
*	Matt Hart (WA) – Adventure Racing/Mt. Bike
*	Stephen Perkins (Canada) – Mt. Bike
*	Sergiy Zubko (MD) – Triathlon
*	Brian Sevall (CA) – Triathlon/Mt. Bike
*	Roger Thompson (WA) – Triathlon
*	Kevin Kozlowski (IL) – Triathlon
*	Mike Vance (NY) – Triathlon
*	Sally Speck (PA) – Triathlon
*	Hugh Plumb (PA) – Triathlon/Endurance Auto Racing
*	Dwight Shuler (NC) – Triathlon 
*	Teodoro Ramos (IL) – Triathlon
*	Jeff Kerkove (IA) – Mt. Bike
*	David Jones (TX) – Triathlon
*	Eddie O’Dea (GA) – Mt. Bike
*	Chris Puehler (MI) – Mt. Bike
*	Rick Sedberg (AR) – Mt. Bike
*	Lisa Wei-Hass (OK) – Triathlon
*	Matt Dougherty (NY) – Triathlon/Adventure Racing

Recover-Ease is looking for the next round of athletes’ for the team. The team, managed by Westport, CT based 14º Sports Marketing, will act as brand ambassadors at a variety of endurance events throughout the 2006 racing season. Team Recover-Ease will be comprised of 40 to 50 top age group endurance athletes in triathlon, adventure racing, endurance running and endurance mountain bike racing. The athletes selected will be from across the country.

As part of Team Recover-Ease, athletes will be supplied with a full Team Recover-Ease uniform and will receive a year’s supply of the Recover-Ease product to help them train and race their best. In addition, Recover-Ease team members will receive samples to distribute to other racers and training partners to introduce the product to a broad endurance athlete market. Each month, Recover-Ease will award a $200 gift card to the team member with the highest amount of product referral sales, $150 for second and $100 for third. The team member with the highest amount of referral sales at the end of the season will win an all expenses paid multi-sport trip for two valued at up to $2,500.

14º Sports Marketing is currently soliciting resumes for consideration to be a part of the 2006 Recover-Ease Team. To apply, please send a full race resume with past results, a 2006 tentative event schedule and a brief bio with the reasons you would like to be part of Team Recover-Ease to Jon Fontane at jon@14degreesmarketing.com. To be considered for the team, athletes must be top age group competitors, plan on racing at a minimum of 6 to 8 events throughout 2006 (with at least 3 high profile events like the Ironman, Ironman 70.3 Series or other like events) and are active in their local racing/training community. Team Recover-Ease is looking for athletes that compete in ultra endurance events, including ½ and full distance triathlon, ultra distance running events, endurance mountain bike racing and long course adventure racing. In addition, team members will be required to have a basic understanding of how the Recover-Ease product works and be willing to act as brand ambassadors, distributing samples and educating fellow athletes. Full program details will be supplied to the athletes selected for the team.

To learn more about Recover Ease, go to www.recover-ease.com.

About TalMark Nutrition:
TalMark Nutrition is a developer of science-based, patented, research-proven natural products. Its new Recover-Ease product is the ONLY research-proven, patent-pending, dope-free recovery capsule on the market today. For more information about TalMark Nutrition or Recover-Ease, contact Shawn Talbott at smtalbott@talmarknutrition.com

About 14º Sports Marketing:
Founded in 2004, 14º Sports Marketing serves the adventure and endurance sports community in product marketing and sponsorship consulting. For more information, contact Jon Fontane at jon@14degreesmarketing.com.

Source: Jon Fontane, 14º Sports Marketing

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