Tyler & Nikki Butterfield Ready For 2012
Following a highly successful campaign including an outright victory, three podium finishes and the collection of valuable Olympic points, professional triathletes Tyler and Nikki Butterfield are pleased to wrap up their 2011 season and announce several enhancements to Butterfield Racing as the pair eagerly approaches 2012.
New Partnerships
Tokio Millennium Reinsurance and Philadelphia Insurance Companies have significantly increased their support of the Butterfield’s, renewing their contracts with Tyler and adding Nikki to their sponsorship programs.
With a major component of these contracts tied to performance incentives, the highly competitive Butterfield’s are excited to prove themselves oncourse and maximize the value provided by these sponsors.
“We’re extremely grateful for the support of both Tokio Millennium Reinsurance and Philadelphia Insurance Companies,” said Tyler. “Having non-endemic sponsors see the value of our sport is quite rewarding, and the added incentive of an aggressive bonus schedule gives us that extra push to perform each time we toe a starting line.”
Nikki has newly signed a three-year contract with Specialized Bicycles, a comprehensive partnership including the bicycle, helmet and shoe categories.
“I’m super excited to be on board with Specialized,” beamed Nikki. “Without question, they manufacture the best bikes and equipment in the industry, and they’re purely a pleasure to work with. I couldn’t ask for a better bike sponsor.”
New Management
Sean “Wattie” Watkins, under the auspices of Wattie Ink., will serve as the exclusive managing agent for Butterfield Racing. Watkins has served in various capacities in the triathlon and cycling realms and is well known and widely respected for his numerous long-standing industry relationships. Watkins negotiated Nikki’s partnership with Specialized and is currently pursuing a variety of opportunities on behalf of both Butterfield’s. Inquiries may be addressed to wattie@wattieink.com.
Thankfully, the career I’ve chosen still allows a great deal of flexibility and at-home time, plus we have a wonderful helper who Savana absolutely adores. ”
New Coach
Heading into 2012, Nikki will begin working under the tutelage of six-time Ironman World Champion Dave Scott. After a year of maneuvering part-time training and racing to accommodate Tyler and daughter Savana’s schedules, Nikki is looking forward to a fully focused program in 2012 influenced by Scott’s invaluable guidance.
“I’ve been playing with the idea of asking Dave to help me for a while,” said Nikki, “but I just wasn’t ready to make the commitment to working with such a high-level coach. Of course I am a little hesitant to give up any of the moments I spend with Savana, but I also feel fortunate to have been able to enjoy the entire first year with her while only training part-time. Now, I’m ready to focus more intently on my athletic career.”
“Dave was the obvious choice,” continued Nikki. “You can’t ignore his credibility – not only has he won Hawaii six times, he has studied the intricacies of sport science with a fervor.
“Tyler and I met with Dave together and the three of us spent hours going over everything. I wasn’t sure he’d be interested in taking me on – he already has a loaded program and it’s no easy task coaching a professional athlete. I’m excited to move forward and see how far we can go together.”
New Schedule
The Butterfield family will remain in their adopted hometown of Boulder, Colorado for the next three months. Tyler will make a quick trip to La Paz, Argentina in January for the La Paz PATCO Triathlon Pan American Championships, an important step in accumulating ITU points towards Tyler’s world ranking.
It is this ranking that will ultimately determine whether Bermuda is granted an Olympic spot for triathlon, and thus whether London 2012 will figure into Tyler’s athletic dreams.
Nikki will travel to Abu Dhabi in late February for the renowned Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, a unique long-course race format consisting of a 3-kilometer swim, 200-kilometer bike and 20-kilometer run.
The three Butterfield’s will then converge in Australia where they will be based for March and April. Dependent on the starts granted him, Tyler plans to compete in the Mooloolaba ITU Triathlon World Cup and either the ITU Triathlon World Championship Series Sydney or Ishigaki ITU Triathlon World Cup.
The month of May will see the Butterfield’s back in Boulder, with Tyler’s race schedule determined by the success of his Olympic bid. Nikki will race two Olympic distance (5150) and two half-ironman distance (70.3) events through the midseason.
The Ironman European Championship in Frankfurt, Germany on July 8th will serve as her attempt to qualify for the 2012 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on October 13th.
Both Tyler and Nikki also hope to compete in the high-profile Hy-Vee Triathlon in Des Moines, Iowa on September 2nd. In 2011, Nikki placed 4th at the prestigious race against a field stacked with the top short-course competitors the world over.
New Website
In order to keep fans, friends and sponsors abreast of their activities and accomplishments, the Butterfield’s will launch a new website (www.butterfieldracing.com) in early 2012. Details will be forthcoming as to the exact launch date.
