Manitou SX Ti Palmer... why?

[Emoco]

Been look at forks for my MK1 Chameleon and seeing what was around then. I actually had a pair of these about 10 years ago.

Looking at Manitou's line up back then, why would Palmer have what was essentially a signature XC fork over lets say the X-Vert?

 

[Motomax]

This link says he probably ran the SX -Ti in '97-98 for dual slalom. https://www.rotorburn.com/forums/index.php?threads/the-vintage-mountain-bike-thread.138808/page-79

 

[Baulz]

I always assumed Manitou had extra stock they could not sell so they made some into a special edition Palmer to get rid of them.