BMW Performance Team Event
Last July, I was fortunate enough to be named to the BMW Performance Team. Eleven athletes in total, across many different sports, were named to the team and are supported by BMW on the route to London this summer. There are some big-time athletes on the team: Ricky Berens (Swimming), Matt Chrabot (Triathlon), Bryan Clay (Decathlon), Natalie Coughlin (Swimming), Janet Evans (Swimming), April Holmes (Track and Field), Jonathan Horton (Gymnastics), Sanya Richards-Ross (Track and Field), Mallory Weggemann (Swimming), and Eveleyn Stevens (Cycling). What an incredible group!
The BMW Performance Team getting ready for a picture on a new BMW at the San Diego Convention Center.
So last week, the eleven of us flew to San Diego for the BMW 3-Series Launch. It was a whirlwind of a trip, and I was only in San Diego for about 36 hours, but my experience was unbelievable. I flew from Newark to San Diego last Tuesday and arrived late at night. Upon arrival, I was brought to the beautiful Andaz hotel in downtown San Diego. After checking in, I headed up to my room and crashed for the evening.
Wednesday morning, I got up early and was brought in a brand new BMW to the US Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. There, I spent a couple hours giving video interviews, having photos taken, and demonstrating my sailing gear. After that, I went back to the Andaz and relaxed in the afternoon. That evening, the Performance Team and I headed to the San Diego Convention Center for cocktails and dinner with all of the dealership owners in North America and some from Europe. All in all, there were almost 1000 people there to enjoy the evening. The team was brought on stage and introduced to the crowd, and it was so cool to be called up on stage along the likes of these incredibly successful athletes!
After dinner was when the real party started. BMW had One Republic flown in to play a private show for us all! I stood a few feet from the band as they played for over an hour. What was even better was after the show the Performance Team athletes and I all headed backstage to chat with One Republic! It was so cool.
Hanging with One Republic!
After the event on Wednesday night, I was shuttled back to the hotel where I crashed for a few hours and got up super early for a flight out on Thursday morning. The whole trip was pretty short, but totally worthwhile. BMW really knows how to put on a good show, and I was honored to be there and be part of the team!
