Think Racing, Inc.

Lake Placid, New York, The 2005 National Coaches Conference is almost over. Friday evening and Saturday were packed full of information, discussions, and yes a little bit of fun…

Fridays highlights included a great tech night from all the industry sponsors, party sponsored by Swix, and a huge raffle…

Saturday morning was filled with technical presentations on training and athlete development. USST athletes Kris Freeman and Torin Koos both spoke to the group. In the afternoon the coaches went out to observe the USST training session which was a classic sprint relay.

80 of the top coaches in the US lined a long hill as Americas best skiers dug deep to put on an amazing show…

Kris Freeman dug deep on the final hill to create a small gap over Simons and Newell for the win. Kris registered a 14.9 lactate level at the finish.

Top three teams were:

1. Andrew Johnson/Kris Freeman
2. Chris Cook/Zack Simons
3. Torin Koos/Andrew Newell

1. Kris Freeman talks about his development
”
2. The coaches got schwagged out during the raffle

3. Newell and Simons under the watchful eyes of 80 coaches

4. Bird, semifinal
5. Start of the final

6. Fighting hard up the hill
7. Birds BIG move!

8. Finish
9. Coach Vordenberg taking blood lactate sample from Freeman

FISCHER AND YOGI TEA ANNOUNCE NEW PARTNERSHIP
Sponsorship Agreement to Run Through 2007

Auburn, New Hampshire September 5, 2005: Yogi Tea has signed a two year contract to sponsor Team FSx. Eli Brown, Fischer Nordic Racing manager has brought Yogi Tea on to help American Cross Country Ski racers compete at the top level in national and international competition.
Yogi Tea joins Fischer and Swix as the third official sponsor of the Team FSx Cross Country Ski Team. “Yogi Tea was looking for a way to help America’s cross country ski racers,” said Atma Singh Khalsa, Brand Manager of Yogi Tea, “by partnering with Fischer and Swix, not only are we investing in the future success of our athletes at major competitions, but we are promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for our customers.”
Teamed with ThinkRacing, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of amateur athletes by assisting their development, Team FSx and Yogi Tea will be providing a valuable service to America’s next generation of champions by providing the funds and logistical support necessary for Team FSx’s skiers to properly train and prepare for the 2006 Olympics and beyond.
“We are already seeing the value of being linked with ThinkRacing. This organization, with its wide contact base and strong marketing capabilities will bring new companies into our sport. This is just the beginning of a long period of sustained growth,” said Peter Ashley, VP of Fischer USA.

About Yogi Tea:

In 1969 Yogi Bhajan began teaching Kundalini Yoga in America, sharing the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and healthy living that he had mastered in India. After each class he would serve his students a special spice tea based upon this healing science, which they affectionately named Yogi Tea.
Yogi Tea will be available throughout the ski season at major events across the country. Look for their booth in West Yellowstone and stop by for a free sample.
To learn more about Yogi Tea, and to get a free sample, please visit their website at; www.yogitea.com

About FSx:

FSx is the new program created in partnership between Fischer and Swix to support American Cross Country Ski Racers in their quest to develop and compete at the highest level. The program is made up of three interlinked components: The Athlete Development Program (Fischer Select), the Ambassador program, and the Elite Team.

About ThinkRacing:

A non-profit organization de eote to promoting and developing amateur endurance athletes for national and international competition. Think Racing is the official fundraising partner of the FSx programs. To find out more, please visit: www.thinkracing.org

For more information please contact Eli Brown at ebrown@fischerskis.com, or 603-314-7110.

Nathan Schultz – Team Co-Captain

Profession: Computer Geek, Professional Athlete and Coach
Ski Club/Team: Boulder Nordic
Hometown: Boulder, Colorado
Current Residence: Boulder Colorado
School: University of Colorado
Athletic Accomplishments:
• Overall Champion 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 American Ski Marathon Series
• Champion in 2004 Boulder Mountain Tour, 2005 Pepsi Challenge, 2000/2002 Traverse City Vasa, and 1996 Minn Finn
• Two time NCAA All American

Why do you like ski racing?
I enjoy ski racing because it challenges me physically and mentally, and offers a great lifestyle. I have traveled all over the world and met a lot of tremendous people through ski racing. It is a great community.

Why are you excited to be a part of FSx?
FSx represents a big change for me after 10 years with a previous team. I’m looking forward to new opportunities for me as I wrap up my competitive career and helping to build a solid support structure for developing athletes in this country. I hope to lend my experience as an athlete, coach, organizer and business owner to help FSx build a long-lasting legacy of support and athletic success.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUGUST 3rd, 2005:

Auburn, NH: Fischer Nordic Racing Manager, Eli Brown, has officially announced the formation of a Fischer / Swix Nordic racing program. The team, to be known as FSx is in place for the 2005/06 season.

The FSx program (acronym for Fischer – Swix – and XC) is made up of three interlinked programs; The Athlete Development program, the Ambassador Program and the new Elite Team. While the athlete development program and the ambassador program are critical components of the program– the Elite Team is the core of FSx. This new professional race team was created in response to the USST budgetary problems in an effort to support athlete development. The members are up and coming, committed athletes that WILL have an impact on US Skiing in a big way in the coming years. This small but effective group of skiers is made up of the 2005 US Super Tour Sprint Champion, 2 former American Marathon Series Champions, and three other young aspiring recent college graduates.

“Fischer and Swix have a long and successful history together”, said Brown, “this partnership is an ideal match to bring two market leaders together to support, develop and raise the level of cross-country racing in the US.”

The FSx program has been constructed with an unprecedented amount of athlete participation. To make the best conditions for the athletes and the companies involved, a collaborative effort has taken place to create the vision and direction of this program.

Leading the team is 2005 American Ski Marathon Series Champion, Dave Stewart. Dave sees the strength in working with Fischer and Swix; “It’s the most winning and recognized combo in ski racing and makes the team attractive to consumers, potential athletes, and sponsors. I think it’s really positive.”

The focus of FSx will be to support and inspire Cross Country Ski Racing in the US by developing and fielding a competitive team made up of America‘s most elite racers. The goals of the program are to provide a supportive and competitive environment for Americans top developing cross country ski racers. Early season will find the athletes zeroing in on the Olympic tryouts, with the goal to make the 2006 Olympic Team. While most of the athletes are young and 2006 is a strong possibility, 2010 is the main focus for this group. The athletes will compete in a variety of domestic races throughout the 2005/06 season including Super Tour events, major citizen races, and local events.

Members of the FSx Elite Team are: David Stewart, Nathan Schultz, Kate Whitcomb, Zach Violett, Zack Simons and Colin Rodgers. These athletes also serve as a great source for product development testing. They will use the latest products and provide critical feedback that Fischer and Swix can incorporate into their future product development.

“We are very excited to be an integral part of the team and continue our partnership with the Fischer brand. This partnership fits in perfectly with the reorganization of our Nordic division and our new focus on the racing market in the United States. This program ultimately shows support to the top athletes, juniors and ambassadors in the country!” commented Steven Poulin, Swix Hardgoods Sales Director.

The Team will be managed by Fischer Race Manager, Eli Brown. All Team members will ski exclusively on Fischer skis, Fischer boots and bindings, and use Swix Poles, wax, tools, and clothing.

For more information please contact FSx Team Director Eli Brown at ebrown@fischerskis.com, or 603-314-7110.

Fischer Sports, the recognized world leader in cross country ski equipment; Think Racing, a nonprofit organization that promotes and develops amateur athletes; and Team Today, an independent fundraising program run by athletes of the US Ski Team, have joined forces in an effort to change the current financial conditions of the sport in the US.

“We all have the same goal - to help raise the level of the sport. Our methods are not identical, but similar enough that we actually complement each other” said Pete Vordenberg, Assistant US Ski Team Coach. “Think Racing and Team Today are non-profits working to support athletes. FSx is a professional racing team - also working to support athletes. Together we have created an opportunity for sponsors and donors to become involved in ski racing and we are a growing force for athlete and program support.”

the USST budgetary problems in an effort to support athlete development.

With the recent news of USSA budgetary problems, leading to a cut back on programs, there couldn’t be a better time to rally together to improve the situation. Within this new partnership, athlete development is the goal. The mission of Think Racing, Team Today and the FSx program is to increase the support for developing American Cross Country Skiers. “Within our programs 85% of every dollar goes to support athlete travel, and training expenses.” said Todd Carter, President of Think Racing. “I am excited to be working with Fischer, because they are not only the leading brands in the sport, but also the leaders in giving back to the sport.”

The FSx program is the only professional race team in America that is made up entirely of domestic athletes. Eli Brown, Fischer Race Director commented, “I like that we have high level foreign athletes competing here in the US. This increases the competition, but USST needs our help!” In an effort to help raise the level of US Skiing, FSx will provide direct support to only American Athletes.

The FSx Athletes and Ambassadors have a mission; to find additional opportunities to raise awareness and support for cross country ski racing in America. Already FSx Elite Team members have been identifying potential donors for not only the FSx program but Team Today as well.

“As a group, we (Fischer, USST –XC, Think Racing, Swix and Team Today) have taken responsibility to get things to the next level. Instead of complaining and just taking what we’ve come to expect, we quit shrugging our shoulders and put them to the wheel. This is our opportunity and we’re not going to let it slip away.” Said Vordenberg.

Fischer, Team Today, and Think Racing invite you to join the efforts to make America a stronger ski nation. Please contact Fischer Nordic Race Director, Eli Brown for more information, ebrown@fischerskis.com