September 3, 2011 – FIS is pleased to announce that the Cross-Country World Cup is “sold out” for the next several years. Swiss insurer Helvetia Group has joined the group of main sponsors – presenting sponsor Viessmann, official sponsors Vattenfall, BMW, and Craft, and Polar as the data service provider – as partners of the FIS Cross-Country World Cup.

FIS Marketing AG, in close cooperation with FIS and its member National Ski Associations, presented a new marketing concept for the FIS Cross-Country World Cup beginning with the 2010/11 competition season. It features a streamlined sponsorship model with just five main sponsors internationally and also included the successful introduction of a consistent look and feel for the entire FIS Cross-Country World Cup series during the past season.

“FIS is delighted to be working with this select group of international premium brands to grow the discipline of cross-country skiing. The commercial success of the FIS Cross-Country World Cup shows that cross-country skiing is increasingly well liked by the public. It fits well with the modern life style trends emphasizing fitness and values of healthy living,” said FIS President Gian Franco Kasper.

Christian Pirzer, CEO of FIS Marketing AG added, “We warmly welcome Helvetia as the final sponsor in our centralized marketing program for the FIS Cross-Country World Cup. With Viessmann as presenting sponsor along with BMW, Vattenfall and Craft, Helvetia joins a fantastic team of top brands that fully support cross-country skiing and will help develop it into a powerful communications platform.”

“The fact that international companies are among the partners underscores the world-wide value of cross-country skiing. We are pleased with the excellent cooperation during the first season and look forward to having our new partner Helvetia on board,” noted FIS Cross-Country Race Director Jürg Capol.