June 10, 2014 (Oslo, Norway) – Swix Sport has announced a three-year partnership with the Norwegian Biathlon Association. “It comes at an exciting time,” said Ulf Bjerknes, CEO of Swix Sport. Swix product developers have already begun working with Norway’s elite athletes to create new, specially adapted biathlon equipment.

The Norwegian Biathlon Team in Holmenkollen, Oslo, with the new Team suit and Swix Vistech suits. © Swix Sport

“We are pleased to be launching this cooperation with the Norwegian Biathlon Association, which has come about at an exciting time. We have strong women’s and men’s national teams, and many talented athletes who want to take the next step. Norway is also home to many younger, up-and-coming biathletes. Swix will be investing in all levels, from juniors to elite athletes. The 2016 championships at Holmenkollen are an important milestone,” says Ulf Bjerknes, the CEO of Swix Sport.

The national biathlon team’s new racing suit was also presented for the first time today. Swix looks forward to cooperating closely with the Norwegian Biathlon Association and athletes on further product development.

“Our product developers have already begun working with Norway’s elite athletes to create new, specially adapted biathlon equipment. Three examples are the new X1 glove, which Tarjei Bø has helped to develop, the new national team racing suit, and the new X-fit ski pole straps which makes it easier to drop and pick up the poles at the shooting stand. This collaboration will help to improve the performances of both Swix and the athletes, and further innovations are coming,” says Bjerknes.

Tore Bøygard, president of the Norwegian Biathlon Association, believes that the sponsorship agreement will have a positive impact on recruitment and support for biathlon in Norway.

“Swix’s strong position and distribution network in Norway will be an important instrument for attracting attention to the sport and boosting interest among children and young people. Recruitment is vital if we are also to have a world-leading national team in future. The fact that Swix wants to support us in our efforts is fantastic. Major projects are underway, and we have many exciting developments to look forward to,” says the biathlon president.

The biathlon world championships at Holmenkollen, Oslo in 2016 are an important milestone for Norway’s biathlon teams, and the elite athletes have clear targets for the next few seasons. Tore Bøygard also wants to use the championships on home soil to encourage more people to give biathlon a try.

“Biathlon is a popular sport, and has gained a solid foothold in the population. The combination of strong Norwegian results and intensely exciting competition is important. This excitement can also be experienced personally, around the track and at the shooting stand. We hope that the Holmenkollen championships will open the eyes of many more people – particularly children and young people – to the beautiful sport of biathlon,” he says.

The sponsorship agreement between Swix and the Norwegian Biathlon Association will run for four years from today’s date. The agreement primarily relates to clothing for both training and competition, but will also encompass other activities and measures to boost the attractiveness of biathlon across the whole of Norway.