BOULDER, CO, April 2, 2002 -- Spyder Active Sports has signed on as the Official Outerwear Supplier to the Canadian Freestyle Ski Team (CFST). The four-year agreement began April 1, 2002. The sponsorship includes jackets, pants, and accessories for the men's and women's World Cup and Development Team members, coaches, and staff. Freestyle skiing consists of moguls, dual moguls, and aerials events, and new for next season's World Cup and International Ski Federation (FIS) competitions are the halfpipe and ski-cross events. Canada's national team athletes are consistent winners on the international circuit.

Commenting on the team's reaction to their new sponsor, CFST's Marketing and Communications Manager Ian Dalling said, "The team is thrilled that they'll have the backing of a company with the prestige of Spyder. Our athletes recognize the quality and great designs of the line. Ultimately, the product and support will help the team continue to produce world-class freestyle athletes. We are very happy about Spyder's commitment."

Spyder is also an official sponsor to the US Alpine and US Disabled ski teams, and sponsors Team Venom, a group of freeskiers based in the United States. Like Team Venom, the CFST will be wearing the Venom line, a technical apparel collection designed by and for freeskiers.

Spyder founder and president David Jacobs was born in Montreal, Canada, and is excited about Spyder's newest sponsorship. "It's a terrific opportunity for us," he said. "We're able to showcase the Venom line, which is designed for this type and caliber of skier. And personally, it feels good that I can get back to my heritage with the Canadian national level athletes." Jacobs was a member of the Canadian National Ski Team from 1957-1961, and was its first full-time head coach and program administrator during 1964 to 1966.

Spyder and freestyle skiing began about the same time. Spyder was founded in 1978, while the discipline of freestyle was formally recognized by the FIS in 1979.

Spyder is a leading producer of high performance ski and sportswear. Based in Boulder, Colorado, the company sells products in the United States and Canada to over 550 high-quality specialty retailers. Spyder is sold outside of North America through the Spyder-Europe office in Zug, Switzerland, and through independent distributors across the world.

— Posted by Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Staff