Why is it crucial to find a reliable VPN for gambling?

With an increasing number of users taking their bets into the virtual space, safety and security are becoming paramount. Investing in a VPN is essential to ensure your personal information remains secure while you explore the world of online gambling.

With a VPN, your online activities are safe and secure. Data is encrypted so that hackers or other malicious agents can’t access it, protecting you from potential identity theft or financial loss. Plus, with an effective VPN service in place, websites like betting sites won’t be able to track down where exactly you’re located — providing anonymity for digital explorers seeking unrestricted global web access!

Features to consider

When it comes to selecting a VPN for online betting in 2023, there are several characteristics you should pay attention to:

• Security. Look for a VPN that includes the latest encryption protocols as well as additional features like firewalls. Investing in a reliable system will give you peace of mind knowing your information stays safe at all times.
• Speed. Find yourself a VPN that offers quick connections with little to no latency, and get ready for some smooth gaming.
• Compatibility. A VPN should be compatible with both your devices and the gaming platform of choice, so you have peace of mind while placing wagers.
• Customer support. Seek out an option that offers assistance around-the-clock to ensure any technical difficulties don’t keep you from making maximum use of it.

Read the reviews of different VPNs before making your choice — this will give you an idea of how reliable and secure each one is. With the right VPN, you can enjoy a safe and secure online betting experience in 2023.

What VPNs can we recommend?

With hours of research and testing, we confidently present some of the best VPNs around that guarantee a secure internet connection:

• Surfshark;
• Proton VPN;
• NordVPN;
• Private Internet Access;
• ExpressVPN;
• AtlasVPN;
• PrivateVPN;
• IPVanish;
• CyberGhost.

Why are they ideal for betting?

These services provide essential features such as superb encryption standards, powerful server networks with fast speeds, complete privacy protection through strict ‘no logging’ policies — plus intense security measures like split tunneling and kill switches on top!

With this guide, you now have all the information necessary to find an ideal VPN for online betting in 2023. Armed with the knowledge of what factors are important when selecting a service, making your decision should be straightforward! If you have any doubts at any stage of the process or if you have any additional suggestions or insights to add, feel free to reach out to us anytime. We’d be more than happy to answer any questions or help you make an informed decision.

All the best and good luck!

Team Magic, founded in the late 1980s and now one of the nation’s largest full-service race management companies, will add to its portfolio the races and events from Above The Fold and will become the race brand moving forward for all Above The Fold races. Team Magic will now own and produce the largest short course triathlons in Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky.

Above The Fold and Team Magic, in addition to the race management merger, have restructured as a holding company for its various service lines and business interests, which also includes running tours (Running Tours USA), endurance sports coaching (ATF Legion), and tennis event production.

“This is a partnership that truly makes sense,” said Faye Yates, co-owner of Team Magic with partner Therese Bynum, who retired at the end of last year. “The vision Joe (Fleenor) brings coupled with the turnkey, successful events he and his team produce made this opportunity an exciting and easy decision. Team Magic has had tremendous success these last three decades, thanks in large part to Therese and her leadership, and we believe we haven’t even scratched the surface yet. The possibilities are endless with this merger.”

“We are very excited about the future,” said Fleenor, founder of ATF. “Our goal has been, and will continue to be, delivering the best experience for our customers at our events and we believe this new alignment with Team Magic further strengthens that mission and provides us the ability to maximize our resources and talents to improve efficiencies, expand offerings, and reach a larger audience. When it comes to race production, Team Magic is the standard bearer.”

Joe Fleenor and Faye Yates are shareholders in the new venture, with Fleenor serving as Chief Growth Officer, overseeing all growth initiatives, and Yates serving as Chief Operations Officer, overseeing race operations.

Thinking of setting foot in the exciting world of sports betting? Before you jump on board, it’s essential to understand how much money may be owed and any specific tax implications. We’re here to bring clarity so that no nasty surprises await — giving all your energy purely for rooting for your team!

Is sports betting taxable around the world?

Depending on where you’re located, taxes for sports betting winnings might be a concern. In the US in particular, these earnings must be reported to the IRS and declared as taxable income when filing your annual tax return.

In the UK, all sports betting comes with a bonus — tax-free winnings! This advantageous law applies to everyone from professional gamblers to casual punters.

In Australia, sports betting is usually a tax-free experience for recreational gamblers. But if you’re an experienced gambler and make consistent profits from your activities, any winnings may be subject to taxes.

In Europe, sports betting regulations vary widely. While Germany taxes winnings from this activity heavily, other countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium offer tax-free opportunities for those looking to capitalize on their sporting expertise.

Winning a large sum of money might sound like an absolute dream, but be aware that depending on the amount, you may have to pay some hefty taxes. The federal and state income tax rates will vary based on the number of your winnings while anyone who won over $5,000 could also see withholding or backup withholding taxes applied.

Taxes and gambling don’t always mix, so if you’re going to be lucky enough to win at the casino or elsewhere, you should know what sort of taxes could come along with your newfound fortune. Many factors can affect how much you owe. Before you cash out completely, though, it’s important to consult an expert in this field so that there aren’t any unpleasant and unexpected tax surprises.

Why is it necessary to pay taxes?

It’s important to pay taxes on sports betting winnings because it’s the responsible thing to do. Tax revenues are a major source of income for governments, which use them to fund public services, infrastructure, and other programs. Without taxes, these important public services would suffer or be underfunded. Additionally, paying taxes on sports betting winnings is the law.

Supporting our governments through taxes is essential for the well-being of public services. Paying them on time and accurately avoids any penalties, fees, or other problems — plus, it’s the law. So if you’ve landed yourself in a financially fortunate situation recently, remember to pay the taxes due! And don’t forget to keep an eye on relevant regulations, as they can change over time.

Of course, if you ever have additional questions about filing your taxes, we’d love to offer our support here. Be sure to reach out anytime — we’ll be delighted to help you craft a comprehensive tax plan that works for you and honors your financial goals!

What should you know about triathlon?

Triathlons are intense events comprised of three grueling sports — swimming, cycling, and running. A sprint triathlon is the shortest distance with a 500-meter swim, 20 km bike ride, and 5 km run while an Olympic-distance race is twice as long. For hardcore athletes who want to push themselves, there are half or even full Ironman competitions that feature longer distances in each sport for extreme endurance tests.

While the physical demands for triathlons are high, there is more to it than just the race. This is a way to challenge yourself and push your limits to achieve something you never thought possible. It’s a great way to gain confidence, stay active, and improve your overall fitness.

How to prepare yourself for your first triathlon?

If you’re thinking about attempting your first triathlon, congratulations! You’ve taken the first step in a journey that will be both rewarding and challenging. To ensure that you have an enjoyable experience, it’s important to start your training in advance. Here are some tips for getting your body and mind ready for the big day:

• Set realistic goals. As you embark on your training journey, you should have a goal in mind. This can be anything from striving for an overall time objective or simply crossing the finish line — whatever fits within the attainable limits of your current fitness level and knowledge base.
• Develop a training plan. Achieving your goal is a marathon, not a sprint. To prepare yourself for the finish line, combine an aerobic routine consisting of activities like swimming and cycling with strength-building exercises to promote flexibility and power.
• Commit to a healthy diet. To get the most out of your workouts and successfully cross that finish line, nourish your body with wholesome nutrition. Fill up on lean proteins like salmon or chicken breast, complex carbs such as brown rice and quinoa, plus plenty of fruits and veggies.
• Practice your mental game. Mental strength is the driving force behind a successful triathlon. Being confident in your abilities and having positive self-talk can be vital to keeping you motivated during the race. Visualization techniques are an effective way of increasing focus, giving you better control throughout training and on that big day!
• Seek support. Having a reliable support system can make all the difference. Make sure you build yourself an encouraging network of friends, family, and/or colleagues who will hold you accountable as work towards your goals.

Congratulations on beginning your triathlon journey! At this point, you should feel prepared and equipped with the necessary knowledge to take on a triathlon. As your journey progresses, keep track of your successes and failures as this will help you reach new heights along the way. We wish you all the best with your preparation and look forward to hearing about your successes. If you have anything to add don’t hesitate to reach us — we’re always here to help out wherever possible!

Completely customized multisport coaching from USA Triathlon certified coaches for beginner to elite athletes. ATF Legion also offers personalized nutrition plans from a sports nutrition specialist as well as strength training plans from an ACSM certified personal trainer. With ATF Legion you will receive truly complete endurance event preparation even if the event is every day life.

What’s Included:

• Power, Heart Rate, and Pace Based Training
• Initial In-Person or Online Goal Analysis Session
• A custom training plan built in 1-2 week blocks
• Weekly check-ins from your coach
• Unlimited access to your coach via phone, text, and email
• Weekly data analysis and zone adjustment
• Unlimited program changes on the fly
• In-person or online season review meeting
• Event and partner discounts

Coach Bios

Nick Mews

Certified USAT Level 1 Coach

Nick has been coaching and helping others train and compete in endurance events for over six years. He started doing endurance events in 2008 to lose weight when he trained for and finished his first half marathon. Since then he has completed over 50 marathons and ultra-marathons. Frequently he is a pacer at marathons where he gets to help others accomplish their goals. Nick has completed 15 full distance IRONMAN triathlons and has qualified for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.  Additionally, he has qualified for and competed in the USAT Age Group National Championships (International and long course distance). Nick also coaches Masters Swimming with Excel Aquatics.

Amanda Soms

ISSA Sports Nutrition Specialist and ACSM Certified Personal Trainer

Amanda grew up with an active lifestyle participating in sports and equestrian events, but her drive for fitness and nutrition blossomed as she found her calling while learning intently about the body, the functions, and how food increases performance while gaining her Bachelor’s in Exercise Science at IUPUI. With over 12 years in the fitness and nutrition field Amanda offers a variety of services; personal training, endurance coaching, nutrition counseling, gate and movement pattern analysis and more. Amanda is also an accomplished triathlete having raced all distances with her favorite being Half Iron 70.3 events, reaching the podium on many occasions.

First Tri, presented by Excel Aquatics & Multisport and Above The Fold Events, is the perfect race to kickstart your triathlon race season, or better yet, to kickstart your triathlon race career. Developed to be a fun, non-intimidating, entry point into the sport of triathlon, First Tri features a format ideal for newbies. But if competition is your flavor, this race has you covered as well as we feature a scoring method that incentives you to go “all out”. Join us for this inaugural event at the Williamson County Indoor Sports Complex off Concord Road.

Race will have waves of 10 people starting every 30 minutes beginning at 7:30am. You’ll be asked to register for your preferred time slot and whether you’ll be bringing your own bike to hook up to a bike trainer or if you’d prefer to use one of the stationary bikes. We are limited to 8 bike trainers and 2 stationary bikes.

SCORING

The First Tri scoring method is unique in that participants are graded on a curve, partly based on their distance and partly based on their time. Swim and Bike is based on total distance. Run is based on time. 

For the swim, the participant that swam the furthest distance will receive the most points (actual number is based on total participants) and the shortest distance participant will receive 1 point. For example, if there are 100 participants in the race, the person who swam the furthest distance would receive 100 points for the swim portion of the race. The person with the 2nd farthest swim would receive 99 points, and so on and so on. The same scoring calculations would be made for the bike portion of the race. For the run, it will be a timed 1 mile run around Tower Park. The participant with the fastest run would receive the most points. The person with the slowest run would receive 1 point. 

All three disciplines count equally toward the final score. Transition times are fixed between events and do not count towards participants’ scores.

Huntingdon, TN –  Launching from the stunning shores of the Thousand Acre Recreation Lake in September, the Dixie Triathlon will debut as the first ever organized triathlon race in Carroll County and the town of Huntingdon, Tenn.

The Dixie Triathlon, presented by Above The Fold Events & Sport Promotions and benefiting The Dixie Performing Arts Center and Academic Enrichment Center in Huntingdon, will showcase the natural beauty of West Tennessee while also promoting the positives of an active lifestyle and additional race opportunities for triathletes across the country. Along with benefiting The Dixie, the triathlon promises to offer participants and spectators one of the most unique and entertaining races in Tennessee.

On Sept. 15, racers will tackle either the Sprint or Olympic courses, both of which start in the cool, welcoming waters of Carroll County’s Thousand Acre Lake. Competitors will endure a 500- or 1,500-meter swim, followed by a 20- or 40-kilometer bike ride before racing to the finish with a 5- or 10-kilometer run.

“It’s exciting to host Huntingdon and Carroll County’s first triathlon and our community has the perfect venue in and around our Thousand Acre Lake,” Huntingdon Mayor Dale Kelley said. ”We look forward to showcasing the many attractions we have in Carroll County to the hundreds of new visitors coming into our community.”

A portion of proceeds generated by racer entries will return to support the mission and programs of The Dixie, the premiere entertainment venue in northwest Tennessee. But that’s not all that makes the Dixie Triathlon unique; a special prize will be waiting for each racer at the finish line.

Each finisher receives a handcrafted clay medal for their accomplishment, the brainchild of Executive Director of The Dixie Lori Nolen, who is also a clay artist and founder of Mudslingers Pottery Studio in Huntingdon.

“We are so glad to be a partner in bringing a triathlon to Carroll County,” said Nolen, whose Mudslingers Studio is an annex of The Dixie. “It is a wonderful opportunity to help create activity for locals in our communities, as well as attract new visitors. I think it is important to understand how we can all be a part of something bigger than ourselves.”

Above The Fold is pleased to welcome athletes from across the country to its fourth triathlon event for summer 2018. Leading up to the Dixie Triathlon, Above The Fold events will include the Tri Louisville in Louisville, Ky., on June 10; the St. Elizabeth Triathlon in Williamstown, Ky., on July 21; and the Riverbluff Triathlon in Ashland City, Tenn., on Aug. 5.

“We’re excited about adding this new triathlon to the calendar, not only to help further the sport by providing competitors new opportunities to compete and test themselves, but also because of the community in which we’ll showcase this event,” Above The Fold founder and race director Joe Fleenor said. “The town of Huntingdon, Carroll County and local business leaders alike have been so supportive and enthusiastic in helping to launch the Dixie Triathlon, and I look forward to introducing our race participants to the amazing welcome mat that the community plans to lay down for them.”
 

About the Dixie Carter Performing Arts and Academic Enrichment Center

The Dixie is the premiere entertainment venue in northwest Tennessee. In addition to bringing some of the biggest names in entertainment to The Hal Holbrook Theatre stage, The Dixie is on mission to impact the lives of children through the arts by hosting the School Time Performance Theatrical Series, Dixie Children’s Chorus, Dixie Youth Theatre and Mudslingers Pottery Studio, along with a dance studio, after-school programs and summer camps.

About Above The Fold Events & Sport Promotions

ATF is a full-service sports production and sponsorship agency located in Franklin, Tenn., that provides services for clients throughout the Southeast, including event development, promotion, sponsorship activation, permitting compliance, logistics and execution. Above The Fold works directly with non-profits, convention and visitor bureaus and local municipalities to promote economic and social development through sport production.

Q: Why do I have a race bib even though I am not running?
A: You will put on the race bib at the conclusion of your race to get access to the food tent.

Q: How does Aquabike finish?
A: Your time will officially end when you enter transition at the “Bike In” entrance. You will receive your finisher medal at the finish line.

Q: How are the awards for Aquabike?
A: 3 deep overall male and female. No age group or Clydesdale/Athena awards for Aquabike currently.

Meet the Founder

Max Zalsky

Owner & USAT Certified Race Director

Max graduated from the University of Tennessee majoring in Sport Management and has spent his entire professional life in the sport and event production business.  

His first love was tennis, where he spent 7 years working with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) in helping run local, state and regional tournaments and providing growth consulting services to tennis clubs, independent teaching professionals, parks and schools.  After leaving the USTA, Max moved into corporate event production, serving as Director of Events & Client Relations for The Rainmaker Companies, the leading training and consulting firm working with accounting firms across the globe, before launching Above The Fold in 2018.