Alex and Gretchen Walsh Launch Second Sporti Swimsuit Collection

UVA's dynamic sister swim duo launched their second swimsuit collection with Sporti on SwimOutlet

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Fresh off of leading the Virginia women's swimming & diving team to a third-consecutive national championship, UVA's dynamic duo of swimming sisters Alex and Gretchen Walsh have launched their second swimsuit collection with Sporti Swim. The second edition of the Sporti x Alex + Gretchen Walsh Collection - titled the Palm Springs Swim Collection - launched last week on SwimOutlet.com. 

"Designing this collection felt like a natural celebration of our accomplishments, not only with the success of our first collection but also in our swimming careers," said Gretchen Walsh. "We aimed to encapsulate everything we value about Sporti as a brand, as well as ensure the collection was a reflection of our journey, our victories and the love we have for swimming."

“We hope people will make their own memories in these suits," Alex Walsh added. "Through this collection, we hope to empower young swimmers to express themselves and inspire them to make waves in their own lives, just as we have in ours."

Back in September, the Walsh sisters became the first collegiate swim athletes in history to partner with a nationally-recognized swim brand for a co-branded collection. Their debut swimsuit line featured a series of suits inspired by their journey in the swimming world as well as their experiences in Nashville and Barcelona. 

This time around, Alex and Gretchen used the stunning imagery of Southern California - specifically Palm Springs and Joshua Tree - as inspiration for their designs. Alex's second Sporti Swim collection is titled "Sporti x Alex Walsh Collection: Palm Springs Paradise", while Gretchen's collection is called "Sporti x Gretchen Walsh Collection: A Joshua Tree Dream", shown in the pictures below. 

 "Designing the swim collection with the Walsh sisters, we drew inspiration from legendary photographer Slim Aarons, capturing the glamour of Palm Springs and the magical landscapes of Joshua Tree," said Sporti VP of Design + Creative Daniela Bascuñán. "It was a harmonious celebration of beauty, style, and nostalgia and through our collaborative vision, we translated those extraordinary moments into a collection that encapsulates the timeless allure of poolside elegance."

In between the launches of these two swim collections, Alex and Gretchen Walsh continued to solidify their place as stars of the swimming world. In the 2022-2023 collegiate swim season, the Walsh sisters helped the Cavaliers win their fourth-straight ACC championship and third-consecutive national title, establishing Virginia as a dynasty in women's swimming.  Alex and Gretchen combined to win three NCAA individual titles and both swam as part of four NCAA title-winning relay teams. 

Both sisters followed that up by qualifying for multiple events at the 2023 FINA World Aquatics Championships, which begin next week in Fukuoka, Japan. At the US Phillips 66 National Championships a couple of weeks ago, Alex Walsh finished as the runner-up in both the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley, qualifying for both events at Worlds. Alex returns to the World Championships for the second summer in a row and this will be her third time representing Team USA on an international stage, as she was also a silver medalist at the Summer Olympics in 2021. 

For Gretchen Walsh, the US National Championships marked a significant moment as she qualified for a senior international team for the very first time. Gretchen broke the American record to win the 50-meter butterfly and was also the runner-up in the 100-meter butterfly and the 50-meter freestyle, qualifying in both of those events. 

Alex and Gretchen Walsh are accompanying fellow Virginia swimmers Kate Douglass and Maxine Parker on Team USA to the 2023 World Aquatics Championships. The swimming events begin on July 23rd. 

The combination of the Walsh sisters' wild success during the collegiate season and their qualifications for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships makes this the ideal timing of the launch of their second swimsuit collection with Sporti. 

“We're delighted to unite once more with the dynamic duo, the Walsh Sisters, for their latest Sporti collection," said Winnie So, President of Sporti. "Their extraordinary prowess and relentless commitment have elevated them to global recognition, presently gracing the World Aquatics Championships in Japan. The Walsh Sisters are much more than phenomenal athletes, they serve as powerful inspirations for all budding swimmers who dare to dream. Their journey brightly illustrates that grit and passion can propel you to staggering heights, and it's completely possible to enjoy the ride - as this vibrant swimsuit collection attests. As the anticipation builds for the Paris Olympics and as we set our sights on the horizon, this incredible partnership fills us with excitement."

Click here to shop the full Sporti x Alex + Gretchen Walsh Palm Springs Swim Collection. 

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