Salomon to sponsor Birds of Prey downhill at Beaver Creek, Colorado{mosimage}Salomon announced today that the company will sponsor the Birds of Prey World Cup downhill in Beaver Creek, Colorado, one of the most prestigious races on the World Cup. The downhill is part of a four-event series that is scheduled for November 30 through December 5.

‘The Birds of Prey is the preeminent downhill in North America, and helping this event develop helps promote the exposure and growth of ski racing in North America’ said Ted Wardlaw, Salomon North America’s sports marketing manager. ‘Along with the Birds of Prey, Salomon supports some of the most popular North American events in winter sports, including the American Ski Classic, the World Ski and Snowboard Festival, U.S. Freeskiing Open, North American Freeskiing Championships, U.S. Extreme Championships, and Saab / Salomon Crossmax skiercross races, among others.’

Salomon’s announcement was part of their “2004/2005 Ski Racing Program Update.” In addition, the update confirmed that many of the athletes who brought the French company its five World Cup crystal globes in 2004 have signed agreements to remain with Salomon in the future.

Among returning Salomon athletes are Anja Paerson, Renate Goetschl, Denise Karbon, Janica Kostelic, Ivica Kostelic, Davide Simoncelli, Massimiliano Blardone and Frederic Covili.

With the U.S. Ski Team, Salomon has had a less successful summer. Bode Miller tested the equipment in March, but decided to move onto Atomic product. Meanwhile Caroline Lalive, Kaylin Richardson and Libby Ludlow are no longer committed to skiing on Salomon.

Nevertheless, Marco Sullivan is sticking with Salomon, and the company is continuing to scout new talent. According to Salomon, the company is going after junior programs placing greater emphasis on young racers, their coaches, and the product to support them. ‘Salomon is investing more in junior programs and putting them on the best product possible,” said Wardlaw. “We are dedicating more resources in manpower, program support, and with a new junior and adult product in every discipline for 2004, Salomon Racing and S-Lab programs are building impressive momentum.’

Salomon’s recent investments at its Mt. Hood Test Center have dramatically increased as well. Completely re-tooled and remodeled, the Mt. Hood Test Center is staffed with a rotating crew of sponsored young athletes from around the country, each taking 2 week stints to get closer to the business, be more deeply involved in Salomon’s race efforts, and build excitement with young athletes at summer camps.

While supporting junior programs and grassroots programs are high priorities for Salomon, high profile competitive events help create greater media visibility and generate broader interest for the sport.

Founded in the late 1940s in the French Alps, Salomon has grown from ski binding innovator to global winter sports leader. Unprecedented in the history of skiing, Salomon established itself in 2003 as the No.1 manufacturer in all of the alpine disciplines (Racing, Freestyle, and Skier-X) both in men’s and women’s categories. Only twelve years after the launch of its first ski, Salomon has become the youngest manufacturer to achieve such outstanding results.