Spyder Bestowed with 2012 USSA Innovative Licensing Award

BOULDER, Colo. – For over thirty years, Spyder Active Sports, Inc. and the U.S. Ski Team have shared an illustrious partnership to promote the athletes and accolades of winter sports. This season was no exception as Spyder ramped up its initiatives to expand the partnership. At the recent U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) Partner Summit in Park City, the USSA honored the Colorado-based manufacturer of premium technical ski apparel with the 2012 Innovative Licensing Award for its outstanding support of the U.S. Alpine Ski Team.

The iconic brand received the honor for their unique product designs, event based marketing initiatives and athlete promotions. Most notable this season was the Spyder Land Yacht, a graphically converted Four Winds Fun Mover that served as a team and event support vehicle. The Land Yacht provided a comfortable space for the U.S. Ski Team athletes to recover between runs in Beaver Creek and Aspen, both on-site and in the finish area.

Spyder continually progresses skiing with cutting edge technology, as seen in their speed suits, to help advance and increase sport performance. USSA chose Spyder as recipient of this year’s award to showcase its advancements, including the custom Julia Mancuso and Lindsey Vonn speed suits sold at retail. Additional programs included the U.S. Ski Team integration with Spyder Audi vehicles, athlete signing and retail interaction at the Audi FIS Birds of Prey World Cup event, and innovative showcasing of the partnership throughout all advertising and promotional materials and in their tradeshow booths at industry events.

“Spyder’s illustrious, time tested partnership with the U.S. Ski Team has spanned over three decades and has progressively deepened throughout that time,” noted Russ Rowan, Spyder’s VP of Sales and Global Marketing. “Having the USSA as a partner – and the culture that comes along with it – enables us to push the envelope of innovation with both our product development initiatives and our marketing outreach efforts. This award is a testament to the fact that the USSA feels as strongly about the partnership as we do, and we look forward to continuing to grow and deepen it moving forward to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and beyond,” continued Rowan.

“Spyder is vital for the U.S. Ski Team as both a strong marketing and athletic partner,” said USSA Chief Marketing Officer Mike Jaquet. “Spyder’s innovation in racing suit technology helps our athletes go fast and its ability to translate that into a marketing message is a big help for both of our brands.”

Previously winning the award in 2010, Spyder shares the honor with past recipients including SmartWool, High Sierra Sport Company, and Huge Sportswear.


About Spyder Active Sports
Renowned for integrating high-tech fabrics, fashion and functionality, Spyder is the world’s leading skiwear and mountain-based apparel brand. Launched in 1978 with the development of revolutionary padded slalom race sweaters, the iconic brand continues to develop progressive apparel, season after season. Rigorously tested by top athletes across the world including the U.S. and Canadian Alpine Ski Teams plus big mountain, freeski, and park & pipe professional skiers. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Spyder products are distributed in over 50 countries worldwide. For more information and to view the current collection, please visit www.spyder.com. You can also follow and interact with Spyder on Facebook (facebook.com/spyderactivesports) and Twitter (@SpyderAntidote).