1983 Ironman Ironperson Canada Triathlon poster photo

1983 Ironman/Ironperson Memorabilia -

Original Items owned by Michael Van Ert, Supply Captain 1983 Ironman & original Board Member, Penticton Triathlon Society

An important note on the name:

This was NOT an official Ironman event, in fact, Valerie Silk who owned the Ironman name had her lawyers write and call us threatening to sue if we used the name 'Ironman'. This poster was printed before we were told not to use the name. Ron Zalko, who owned the event, did not want to change the name because he had registered 'Ironman Canada' under the British Columbia Company Act. It took some doing to convince him to change the name to "ironperson" and we did so knowing we wanted to get the next Ironman franchise (Japan and New Zealand had just become franchises). In 1986 while I was Vice President of the Penticton Triathlon Society we obtained a 3 year Ironman frranchise. I can supply the complete history of this race upon request.

I am selling my complete collection of the 1983 Ironperson Triathlon, the first Ironman distance race in Canada, the race that is now know as Ironman Canada. I was involved from Day 1 with my then wife Lynn Van Ert (Dove), Steve King, Ron Zalko and many others. My complete involvement can be had by request and is verifiable.

Here's what I am selling:

Original Ironman Poster (100 printed, I know of only one other surviving owned by Ron Zalko, though I hope others have survived), Original Ironman Volunteer T-Shirt (I believe only 50 were printed), original photos I took on race day and before (original negatives), original tapes of race day by CGIV Radio (no longer in business) these race day tapes include interviews of the triathletes including the winners John Winterdyke and Dyanne Lynch as well as live race reports throughout the day. Also included in the tapes are interviews with Lynn Van Ert, Tom Price and other 1983-4 race interviews.

Contact me for further details and samples.