January 24, 2013 (Toronto, ON) – The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) is pleased to announce that Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (CTC) is now going for gold as a multi-year Premier partner supporting Paralympic athletes across Canada, through to 2016.

“Canadian Tire is an iconic brand and we are thrilled to welcome them to the Canadian Paralympic family,” said David Legg, President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

“Not only will Canadian Tire’s investment in high performance sport help our athletes achieve excellence at the Paralympic Games, it will also help us foster the next generation of Canadian athletes through their support of our grassroots funding programs, helping make the benefits of sport accessible to more Canadians.”

As part of this partnership, the CPC will work with CTC to increase opportunities for Canadians with a disability to participate in organized sport and active living.

“At Canadian Tire, we believe in the power of sport to inspire greatness and change the lives of all Canadians,” said Duncan Fulton, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited and Chief Marketing Officer, FGL Sports, Ltd. “From playground to podium, we will play a role in helping Canadian families and amateur athletes succeed and are pleased to work with the Canadian Paralympic Committee in communities across Canada to promote participation in sport and active living.”

Benoit Huot and Summer Mortimer, multiple gold medallist swimmers from the London 2012 Paralympic Games, were onsite for the announcement of the partnership, which will continue through the next two Paralympic Games – Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016.

“To achieve greatness requires commitment and Canadian Tire has shown its commitment in spades here today, to Paralympians and to the country itself, by helping ensure Canada’s strong and vibrant sporting heritage,” said Huot, a 19-time Paralympic medalist and Canada’s closing ceremony flag bearer at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Mortimer, who won four swimming medals in London, added: “It is thanks to the investment by corporate partners such as Canadian Tire that I can maintain my focus and ensure I am properly prepared to represent Canada on the world stage with my teammates at the next Paralympic Games in Rio.”

In addition to its agreement with the CPC, CTC also confirmed new and expanded partnership agreements with the Canadian Soccer Association, Skate Canada, Hockey Canada, Alpine Canada Alpin, Canada Snowboard, all designed to inspire Canadians and encourage lifelong healthy and active living through the ‘power of sport.’

CTC and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities also plan to work with Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic Foundation to help more kids get in the game.

November 29, 2012 (New Gloucester, ME) – Signing on as an official supplier of the New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA), Concept2 will continue their long-standing support of NENSA and the key Eastern Cup, Marathon, and Zak Cup race series. Concept2 will also support NENSA’s 2013 TD Bank Eastern High School Championships and Bill Koch League Festival. As part of the sponsorship, Concept2 offers NENSA members special pricing on their SkiErg products, and continues as a resource for NENSA’s coaches education program.

“Concept2 is known for their innovative approach to product development and their SkiErg products have become important tools for coaches and programs implementing accurate and measurable specific strength training and testing,” said NENSA Executive Director, Zach Stegeman. “Concept2’s commitment to innovation is matched by their dedication to supporting programs for the good of their sports, and NENSA is proud to partner with Concept2 and their SkiErg brand for another season.”

“Concept2 Is excited to be supporting NENSA in bringing the sport of Nordic skiing to New Englanders of all ages and abilities,” said Concept2 co-owner Judy Geer. “Numerous C2 parents and children have participated in NENSA programs, from Bill Koch League to Eastern Cup racing to Junior Nationals. Though rowing is still our favorite summer sport, Nordic skiing is our favorite winter sport!”

October 31, 2012 – Amateur sports in Canada have seen significant cutbacks in corporate sponsorships since the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and officials are concerned about the future of sport in the country reports the Vancouver Sun. According to the Sun article, Canadian sports officials are working with much smaller budgets post-Vancouver 2010 and this will negatively affect athlete development once the 2014 Sochi Olympics are over. Read the article HERE.

October 17, 2012 – Sweden’s TV4 Group has bought the TV rights for all the platforms of the world´s leading long-distance skiing championship, Swix Ski Classics. The rights are for the two following seasons; 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. The TV4 Group has acquired the TV rights to five of the six long-distance races in Swix Ski Classics by IEC in Sports. For TV4 this means an expansion of the range of winter sports.

– The long-distance races in Swix Ski Classics has developed very positively in recent years with a high increase in the number of amateur skiers, especially from Sweden, participating side by side with the world’s elite. We want to reflect this growing Swedish and international change with a highly expanded television exposure, says Hans Pekkari, Sports Director in the TV4 Group.

– We are very pleased to start a collaboration with TV4. I am convinced that the cooperation raises interest for Swix Ski Classics even further in Sweden, says David Nilsson, CEO Ski Classics AB.

The long-distance skiing races will be broadcasted live together with a parallel broadcast on TV4 and TV4 Sport Xtra. The last hour of the race will be broadcasted on TV4 and TV4 Sport Xtra.

Swix New Title Sponsor of Ski Classics Series
Swix Ski Classics is the long distance ski championships, consisting of six of the most prestigious ski events in the world: Jizerská Padesatká in Czech Republic, Marcialonga in Italy, König Ludwig Lauf in Germany, Vasaloppet in Sweden, Birkebeinerrennet in Norway and the Swix Ski Classics Final in Sweden (venue to be announces shortly), all 50 km or more and open for professional as well as amateur skiers.

The interest in long distance skiing is growing continuously and many of the races in Europe are fully booked just a few days after the registration begins. Swix Ski Classics is broadcasted on TV in several countries and many professional skiers have transferred from World Cup skiing to long distance races.

– The Swix Ski Classics is an impressive initiative from the key players in cross country skiing to build an exciting new platform for long distance cross country racing. This will grow the cross country skiing industry and we want to be a part of this, states Ulf Bjerknes, CEO of Swix Sport Group.

Ski Classics is very pleased to start this new cooperation with Swix, a market leading company with over 60 years of experience in segments such as ski wax, ski poles and clothing.

– Swix is prestigious and traditional, but yet innovative and creative at the same time. This agreement will for sure develop Ski Classics and I can hardly wait to get started with this season’s first Swix Ski Classics race Jizerská Padesatká in the Czech Republic, says David Nilsson, CEO of Ski Classics AB.

Swix Ski Classics is an exciting cooperation, which will include professional teams as well as amateur skiers. It is definitely a big opportunity for the partners to reach the final consumers and to develop an interest and commitment to long distance skiing.

– We have worked hard in order to find the best suitable title sponsor, and with Swix we have succeeded. Swix Ski Classics has also several other solutions for sponsors, one of them is in the title, “Swix Ski Classics powered by [company name]”, David Nilsson says.

Swix Ski Classics 2013:
– Event 1: Jizerská Padesatká – Czech Republic – January 13th, 2013
– Event 2: Marcialonga – Italy – January, 27th, 2013
– Event 3: König Ludwig Lauf – Germany – February 3rd, 2013
– Event 4: Vasaloppet – Sweden – March 3rd, 2013
– Event 5: Birkebeinerrennet – Norway – March 16th, 2013
– Event 6: Swix Ski Classics Final – Sweden – March 23rd, 2013

February 28, 2012 – The Finnish Nordic Sports brand ONE WAY and the French Ski Federation (FFS) began their successful cooperation for the exclusive supply of textiles and footwear for the Nordic Ski Teams two years ago. The new designs and technical wear for the team have created a lot of attention for the French Nordic Teams.

Due to the successful and good cooperation, both parties agreed to extend the cooperation in a long term contract until 2018.

ONE WAY will enlarge their development in supporting the French Nordic Ski Team with the newest standard and innovations for racing apparel and footwear.

The French Nordic team is today one of the most successful ski nation with the leader in the IBU Biathlon WC Martin Fourcade, the leader in the Nordic Combined WC Lamy Chapuis and many other athletes in the top ten rankings for all Nordic disciplines.

The French national team with their athletes will be core program of the ONE WAY marketing program.

We are proud being partner of one of the most successful and exciting Nordic Ski Team in the World.

November 17, 2011 – The International Ski Federation (FIS) and Swedish sportswear manufacturer CRAFT have extended and deepened their cooperation. In the coming years, CRAFT will continue as a Premium Sponsor of the FIS Tour de Ski and will further intensify its brand exposure at all FIS Cross-Country World Cup events.

CRAFT and FIS have collaborated for many years and the new agreement represents a continuation and expansion of the existing partnership. The strengthened cooperation provides CRAFT with first-rate exposure at all FIS Cross-Country World Cup events as well as expanded exposure at the FIS Tour de Ski performance by Craft Sportswear.

“CRAFT was one of the founding partners of the FIS Tour de Ski which by now, in its sixth year, has become an unquestionable highlight of the annual FIS Cross-Country calendar. We are pleased to see CRAFT extend its engagement to cover the entire FIS Cross-Country World Cup season and help further grow the great momentum the discipline is currently enjoying worldwide,” commented FIS President Gian Franco Kasper.

“Cross-Country Skiing is stronger than ever and the partnership with FIS, together with the collaboration with the Swedish, Finnish and Polish national cross-country ski teams allows us to strengthen our position as the world-leading manufacturer of cross-country ski clothing,” says Magnus Månsson, CEO at CRAFT. “It provides us with great opportunities to expose our brand on all key markets”.

November 15, 2011 – With the new World Cup season about to get underway, Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) has decided to start out with new equipment. Last year’s winner of the overall World Cup has already been successful with Fischer skis for a number of years and will now be placing her trust in boots from the Nordic number one as well.

The most successful ski and boot brand in the World Cup for two years running – a convincing record for the perfectionist from Poland. Plus the fact that the 28-year-old is perfectly happy with the RCS Carbonlite Classic boot, as she demonstrated in impressive style in the FIS races last weekend in Muonio (FIN). And, thanks to the WC Carbon Cuff, the RCS Carbonlite Skating is also ideal for her energetic skiing style.

The winner of the Tour de Ski 10l11 likewise took a new approach in her preparations. After five years of training alone she has taken Maciej Kreczmer (POL) on board as a team training partner at times. “It’s hard to always train alone and I want to improve,” says Justyna Kowalczyk. “I hope the training with Maciej will help me achieve this.” Preparations went smoothly with trips to New Zealand, Otepää (EST), Sierra Nevada (ESP) and Ramsau (AUT).

Armed with new equipment and excellent preparations, Justyna Kowalczyk is now looking forward to the new season with a personal highlight: the first World Cup race in her home nation which will be held in Szklarska Poreba in February.

November 02, 2011 (Montreal, QC) – Quebecor announced its new partnership with Canadian skier Alex Harvey as an official sponsor. This four-year partnership is part of Quebecor’s strong commitment to support young talent and encouraging success.

“It is essential for our Olympic athletes to be supported by the international community,” said Pierre Karl Peladeau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quebecor. “Alex Harvey embodies the positive values ​​that we wish to transmit to future generations and in which we recognize ourselves.”

Three-time Canadian junior champion in cross country skiing, U23 Pursuit World Champion, and team classic sprint Nordic World Champion, this rising star cross-country skiing is also pursuing a law degree from Laval University.

Translated from original French press release HERE.

October 28, 2011 – The Finnish Nordic Sports brand ONE WAY has signed a contract today with new rising star on the Swedish cross country team, Daniel Rickardsson. Rickardsson has been one of the most successful racers during the last season with a World Cup victory in Drammen and World Cup podium places in Ottepää and Ruka.

Rickardsson was part of Swedish team relay during the World Championships in Oslo last season.

“I tested the ONE WAY Diamond Premio 10Max and was surprised about the stiffness of the new pole, especially for me as a tall skier and strong in double pulling. It is a unique combination between stiffness and lightweight in carbon shaft technology,” said Rickardsson.

For more information visit www.onewaysport.com

October 25, 2011 – Cross Country Canada’s National Ski Team and Track Attack skiers across the country will hit the tracks this year with custom designed Buff® Headwear thanks to the ongoing support and sponsorship from Buff® Canada.

This is Buff’s® fifth year supporting the National Ski Team. Track Attack programs across the country will also receive a custom Buff created by Buff’s® design team in Spain, making these pieces fun and unique for Canada’s young skiers. The ski community can also purchase a unique selection of Buff’s through CCC’s online Web Store.

“Our team has been using this multifunctional headwear for years. Whether it is in the summer with a bandana under a bike helmet, a neckerchief while training in the hills, or a funky après race piece to warm the ears in the winter, Buff is thrilled to be supporting both the National Ski Team and Track Attack,” said Peter Collins, CEO of Buff® Canada.

Cross Country Canada’s Track Attack program is the second level of the sport’s skill development program and is designed for skiers in the ‘Learning to Train’ stage of development (aged nine to 12). For more information on Track Attack, go to: www.cccski.com > Programs > Athlete Development > Skill Development Programs.

For more information on Buff® Headwear or on custom programs, please visit www.buffcanada.com. Buff® is designed and manufactured in Igulada Spain and is a hip and fun manufacturing company that pushes boundaries in performance just like Canadian Nordic skiers racing to reach their goals. Buff® looks for optimal performance in all products; in business and in the mountains.

October 24, 2011 – The Bliz Active brand is continuing its rapid expansion and taking market shares in Sweden, in Scandinavia and in other countries. Since its inception in 2007, Bliz Active has been actively involved with the various ski associations, and has sponsored several members of the Norwegian and Swedish national cross-country skiing teams.

“The partnership with Norwegian skier Marit Bjørgen, as well as the national teams in general, is helping to establish Bliz Active at a deeper level and confirms our position as one of the absolute top brands in sports eyewear for cross-country skiers,” said Andreas Persson, Marketing Manager at Future Trading AB.

Marit Bjørgen, probably the best female crosscountry skier the world has ever seen, has decided to continue using Bliz Active as her sports eyewear supplier. Since the first contract was signed in 2008, she has been extremely pleased with the products and service provided by Future Trading, the company behind the Bliz Active brand.

Future believes firmly in the partnership with Marit Bjørgen, and is prepared to invest heavily in it. The sponsorship of Marit lends enormous credibility to the brand, and this will prove extremely valuable for the brand’s future expansion and sales.

Future’s objective is to move BLIZ forward by adding more technical and functional products for outdoor activities. At the same time, it is important that BLIZ maintains a price level which makes the brand accessible to a broad target group, which buys and uses our products”, says Jan Jonsson, CEO of Future.

The 3-year partnership and contract will cover competitions such as the World Championships in Val de Fiemme in 2013 and the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi.

May 03, 2011 – The United States Snowshoe Association is pleased to announce that Brooks-Range Mountaineering will be serving as the primary sponsor of the 2011 U.S. National Snowshoe Team. Team Brooks-Range is comprised of sixteen of the finest winter endurance athletes the country has to offer. The team rosters are as follows:

Junior Boys National Team
– Mitchell Kasyon of Colorado Springs, CO
– Ben Palladino of Paul Smiths, NY
– Paul Seliger of Marathon, WI

Junior Girls National Team
– Samantha Lewis of Boulder, CO
– Carolyn Stocker of Westfield, MA
– Michayla Heil of Medford, WI

Senior Men’s National Team
– Eric Hartmark of Duluth, MN
– Scott Gall of Cedar Falls, IA
– Michael Reneau of Corvallis, OR
– Jeffrey Beck of Rochester, NY
– Greg Hexum of Esko, MN

Senior Women’s National Team
– Brandy Erholtz of Evergreen, CO
– Amber Ferreira of Concord, NH
– Erin Ward of St. Paul, MN
– Cheryl Paulson of Nederland, CO
– Laurie Lambert of Austin, TX

Team Director: Mark Elmore of Knightdale, NC

Many of these athletes are expected to compete all across the U.S. as well as abroad in numerous major international snowshoe race events. The 2012 La Ciaspolada Snowshoe Race in northern Italy and the inaugural 2012 Teva Winter Games in Colorado will be the teams’ primary focus events. Past National Team members have competed in Italy, Austria, Japan and Canada. Brooks-Range Mountaineering will be supplying the team with outerwear and accessories.

For more information on the United States National Snowshoe Team and/or the U.S. Snowshoe Association, Inc., go to www.snowshoeracing.com. To learn more about Brooks-Range Mountaineering go to www.brooks-range.com

April 11, 2011 (Canmore, AB) – Paris Glove of Canada Ltd., the premier manufacturer of Auclair racing gloves, will supply the nation’s best cross-country ski athletes with lightweight racing gloves as part of an eight-year deal struck on Tuesday with Cross Country Canada.

The longest-standing partner of Cross Country Canada, dating back nearly 40 years to the 1970’s, Paris Glove of Canada has contributed more than $500,000 in product and financial support to Canada’s cross-country ski athletes, and will continue to do so through the 2018 Games.

“Canadian athletes are proud to be able to compete internationally using Canadian-designed Auclair gloves, knowing they have the financial backing of a Canadian company,” said Davin MacIntosh, executive director, Cross Country Canada. “It is our goal to continue producing podium results, and ultimately, to have the gloves of our Canadian athletes touching a gold medal on the international stage.”

Auclair, the premier sport and outdoor division of the family-owned company, is recognized worldwide for its unflagging desire to create highly technical winter-sport racing gloves that deliver unmatched performance.

As part of the agreement, Auclair has worked closely with athletes and coaches of Cross Country Canada to develop better product that meets the specific needs of each athlete to ease their journey to producing medal-winning results.

In addition, the deal also guarantees annual financial support for the team. Paris Glove will also continue to actively promote racers in advertising and marketing campaigns.

“Paris Glove is excited to be the official glove supplier of Cross Country Canada,” said Peter Monk, president, Paris Group of Companies. “As the national leader in technical handwear, we will continue to find innovative ways to better the equipment for Canada’s cross-country ski athletes in order to help guide, and develop, them into medal-winning athletes.”