February 17, 2009 (Canmore, AB) – Fast and Female has been granted increased financial resources for the delivery of innovative programming thanks to a commitment made by Best Buy Canada. This partnership will boost Fast and Female’s capacity to develop additional initiatives, thereby empowering more girls across Canada to lead healthy and happy lives.

Founded in 2005 by Canada’s Olympic Gold medalist in Cross-Country Skiing Chandra Crawford, Fast and Female presented by Best Buy has been intently focused on putting on highly inspirational events where young girls between 9 and 19 years old learn to push their athletic limits, grow their confidence, work in a team setting, and ultimately, aspire to reach their full potential as athletes and members of society.

Since its inception, Fast and Female presented by Best Buy has hosted six festivals, reaching more than 700 young women who took part in events at Silver Star Ski Resort (B.C.), Canmore (AB), Thunder Bay (ON), Mont-Saint-Anne (QC), and Callaghan Valley’s Whistler Olympic Park (B.C.). The most recent event was led by US Cross-Country Ski Team member and two-time Olympian, Kikkan Randall, and took place in Alaska, marking the organization’s first international festival. The next Fast and Female presented by Best Buy Ski Festival event is scheduled for March 28, 2009 at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta and will be spearheaded by Crawford.

“I’ve always had a great vision for continuing to grow and expand Fast and Female’s reach to even more girls,” admitted Crawford who successfully juggles being a full-time Olympic athlete and acting as President for Fast and Female presented by Best Buy. “Thanks to Best Buy’s support, it has now become easier for the organization to actually achieve some of these new and exciting ideas,” she added.

Some of the new initiatives being considered by Fast and Female presented by Best Buy include condensed festival day concepts, a summer festival day, ambassadors’ programs, and annual awards of excellence.
“Best Buy is excited to support Fast and Female as part of our Best Buy for Kids giving program,” said Best Buy Canada SVP Charles Tobin. “Fast and Female empowers girls to excel in sports and develop life and leadership skills, which aligns with our Best Buy for Kids goal to help youth succeed and reach their full potential.”

In addition to joining on board as a supporter of Fast and Female, Best Buy Canada will also continue to support Chandra Crawford personally on her Olympic quest. Best Buy Canada has sponsored Crawford since 2006.

About Best Buy
Best Buy stores in Canada are a division of Burnaby, BC-based Best Buy Canada Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY). Best Buy is Canada’s fastest-growing retailer and e-tailer (www.BestBuy.ca) of consumer electronics, computers and entertainment products and also operates the Geek Squad (www.GeekSquad.ca), a technology service provider specializing in computer support and home theatre installation. There are over 50 stores in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

Best Buy offers consumers a unique shopping experience with the latest technology and entertainment products, at the right price, with a no-pressure (non-commissioned) sales environment. The Company is committed to kids and their local communities and has a comprehensive community relations program described at www.BestBuy.ca/community.

For more information about Best Buy, including store locations, visit www.BestBuy.ca

About Fast and Female Presented by Best Buy
Fast and Female presented by Best Buy is a not-for-profit organization started in 2005 by Olympic Gold Medalist in cross-country skiing Chandra Crawford. The organization’s mission of “Empowerment Through Sport” is accomplished through fun-filled initiatives. Fast and Female presented by Best Buy is about more than a great time on skis; it’s about building confidence and leadership skills in girls and young women while showing them how much they have to gain from an active lifestyle. The young girls who attend Fast and Female presented by Best Buy events today will lead it in the future. For more information about Fast and Female, visit www.fastandfemale.com.