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Procknow admits the suit is legal according to current rules and will not be banned from Vancouver races, but she also acknowledged a mid-1990s precedent of the International Ski Federation, FIS, banning Spyder suits from use in future races.Spyder was using a technology that contained a tripwire running down the length of the suit in certain places. American skiers Picabo Street and Hillary Lindh both won World Championships in the suit. In 1997, the Italian team complained that the technology was not available to them and the FIS banned its use in future races.“Yes, we'll be pretty psyched if the suit creates some controversy,” says Procknow.
Well, it certainly worked well enough for Bode Miller, who won a bronze medal Sunday, after a disappointing performnace in Turino four years ago.
But Boulder, Colo.-based Spyder is hardly banking on controversy alone. The ski apparel company boasts a multi-pronged approach to this year’s Games, using Ski Team sponsorships and a ground-zero retail presence to leverage its brand against its competitors for the hundreds of millions of eyeballs viewing Olympic events.Leveraging Olympic Sponsorship
Spyder, which is privately held, has been a sponsor of the U.S. Ski Team since 1989, supplying members with their racing suits and other gear. The company also sponsors the Canadian Ski Team as well as the Jamaican Ski Team’s single member and Vonn herself.
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