PARK CITY, UT – Oakley, one of the leading sports brands in the world, has been named to the U.S. Ski Team's Supplier Group, providing goggles and sunglasses to selected members of the alpine, freestyle and nordic teams. The global company will join nearly 60 industry brands in providing important competition-oriented equipment and service to athletes.
Oakley's agreement as a supplier will extend through the 2015 competition season. That year will be highlighted with the International Ski Federation's Alpine World Ski Championships in Beaver Creek/Vail, CO.
"The most important aspect of U.S. Ski Team Supplier Group companies like Oakley is that they provide technology, equipment and service to help our athletes achieve their goals of being the best in the world," said the Team's Vice President, Athletics Luke Bodensteiner. "This is important for us every season on the World Cup, and as we lead up to Sochi in 2014 and Alpine World Championships in Beaver Creek/Vail in 2015.
"The athletes who comprise the U.S. Ski Team are innovators leading progression in their sport," says Pat McIlvain, Vice President Oakley Global Sports Marketing. "They demand the most of themselves and their equipment. Oakley matches that innovative spirit with industry leading performance eyewear technology, which provides superior clarity, range and protection. Oakley is proud to support the U.S. Ski Team with eyewear that will allow them to perform at their best, regardless of the visual conditions."
"Oakley will be a great complement to our supplier brands," said the Team's Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer Andrew Judelson. "Oakley offers the opportunity to not only support our athletes, but to help promote our exciting, fast-paced action sports through its highly successful marketing programs."
The U.S. Ski Team's Supplier Group includes nearly 60 leading outdoor and winter sports brands. Supplier companies provide technology, equipment and service to team athletes. Supplier categories include skis, boots, bindings, poles, goggles, sunglasses, helmets, wax, tools, training devices, protective gear, communications devices and higher education. Suppliers played a key role in the success of U.S. athletes who won a record 21 medals in Vancouver.
About the U.S. Ski Team
The U.S. Ski Team, as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA), develops and maintains teams of world-class athletes for national and international competition, including the Olympic Winter Games. The USSA selects teams based on objective criteria in all sports for major events such as the Olympics and World Championships as well as for annual teams in those sports where it is a supported program. The U.S. Ski Team coordinates nationwide development and elite programs for all competitive skiing sports while maintaining a strong adherence to core values. For more information, visit www.usskiteam.com.
About Oakley, Inc.
Established in 1975 and headquartered in Southern California, Oakley is one of the leading sports brands in the world. The holder of over 600 patents, Oakley is continually seeking problems, solving them with inventions and wrapping those inventions in art. This philosophy has made Oakley one of the most iconic and inimitable brands on the market, with innovations that are depended upon by world-class athletes around the globe in order to compete at the highest level possible. Oakley is famed for its insuperable lens technologies such as High Definition Optics® (HDO®) which is incorporated into all Oakley sun and prescription eyewear, and goggles. Oakley has extended its leadership position as the world’s leading sports eyewear brand into their apparel, footwear and accessories collections. Laser focused on the consumer, Oakley has both Men’s and Women’s product lines which target the Sports Performance, Active and Lifestyle consumers. Oakley is a subsidiary of Luxottica Group (NYSE: LUX; MTA: LUX). Additional information is available at Oakley.com.