North Face Expands U.S. Freeskiings Partnerships
February 7, 2013
The North Face, an original partner of U.S. Freeskiing, has expanded its partnership with the association by supporting U.S. Freeskiings new Rookie Team.
This partnership builds off the brands charter sponsorship of the U.S. Freeskiing Team, which began in 2011 just before halfpipe and slopestyle skiing were announced as new Olympic sports. The North Facewill also add U.S. Freeskiing Pro Team athlete Maddie Bowman to its global team roster. Bowman, a two-time X Games medalist, recently took gold at the Winter X Games and first at the Visa U.S. Freeskiing Grand Prix competitions at both Copper Mountain and Park City to earn the national title.
U.S. Freeskiings new Rookie Team provides support and training with expert coaches for teen athletes looking to advance their skills and competition level in both halfpipe and slopestyle skiing with the goal of eventually making the U.S. Freeskiing Pro Team. The support of The North Face has been instrumental to the growth of the new Olympic sport of freeskiing, including U.S. Freeskiing’s elite pro team and its new development-focused U.S. Freeskiing Rookie Team, which both foster talent that will help the USA be Best in the World in Olympic freeskiing leading up to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games and beyond. The 10-member U.S. Freeskiing Rookie Team is coached by Ben Verge (halfpipe) and DJ Montigy (slopestyle).
“Since the beginning of the freeskiing movement, The North Face has maintained an ongoing commitment to helping elevate the sport to the global stage,” said Mike Jaquet, CMO of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association.
“Starting before freeskiing was recognized as an Olympic sport, weve worked very closely with The North Face to identify unique opportunities to further the development of the sport at the grassroots level, both on the athlete side and through competition. Its great to work with sponsors that are so committed to fostering the sports growth.”