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2006 Champions! 2005-2006 Subaru Factory Team Stats: •Victories at US National Championships, SuperTour Championships, Russian Olympic Trials, The Great Nordeen, Owl Creek Chase, North American Vasaloppet, The Great Ski Race, California Gold Rush, West Yellowstone Rendezvous, Mora Vasaloppet, and the Subaru Noqeumanon. •6 podiums at US National Championships •6 podiums at SuperTour Championships •5 World Cup Competitors •4 Olympians, including 13th place in Men's Olympic Pursuit •2 F.I.S. North American Cup Champions •1 unrivalled team: the Subaru Factory Team! Three Subaru Factory Team Athletes Named to 2006 US Olympic Team, One Named to Russian Olympic Team. Abby Larson, Lars Flora, Rebecca Dussault, and Ivan Babikov (Russia) Bozeman, MT (January 17) - Subaru Factory Team standouts Rebecca Dussault (Gunnison, CO), Lars Flora (Anchorage, AK), and Abby Larson (Bozeman, MT), were named to represent the U.S. at the 2006 Winter Olympics hosted by Torino, Italy. The group will compete from February 12th through the 26th at the cross-country ski venue located in the mountain-town of Pragelato. The group, including 10 men and 7 women, was named following US National Championship races earlier this month at Soldier Hollow - the 2002 Olympic venue for all cross-country events. Over the course of the 5-race championship series, this trio of Subaru Factory Team athletes racked up 3 medals (including one overall victory), as well as an impressive 9 top-5 finishes amongst all Americans attending. Each of these athletes has prior World Cup experience, however the Olympic Games will be a new notch on Dussault's and Larson's belts. Flora also represented America at the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002. In December, all three of these skiers were selected to represent the U.S.A. at World Cup competitions held in Canada. The US-contingent of skiers travels to Europe within the next week to begin final preparations before the opening ceremonies. Each of these three athletes will have the opportunity to race in one last World Cup, in Davos, Switzerland, just before the Olympic Games commence. Joining our Subaru Factory Team representatives on the 2006 US Olympic Ski Team are: Men: Lars Flora (Anchorage, AK); Subaru Factory Team Women: Rebecca Dussault (Gunnison, CO); Subaru Factory Team Commenting on the team, US Nordic Director Luke Bodensteiner said, "This is a strong team, even stronger than we had four years ago. Those who were rookies in Salt Lake have developed into real performers now, and our first-timers in 2006 are poised for some very noteworthy results themselves, which we can continue to build from." "We had a great group of Americans who did not make the team, but who poured their guts out in their effort to earn a spot. They really pushed each other over the last 12 months and by doing so, raised the level of all our skiers." *In addition to the three skiers representing the United States, Subaru Factory Team member Ivan Babikov qualified for the 2006 Russian Olympic Team. After winning 3 events at US National Championships, he boarded a flight to Russia and continued his streak of fast racing. The Subaru Factory Team, America's premier cross-country ski team, is comprised of 13 champion athletes, including three 2006 Olympians and four national champions. Winners of the American Ski Marathon Series 12 years in a row, our mission is to use the exposure that our unparalleled racing success brings to show America's snowbound populace how cross-country skiing can maximize their enjoyment of winter. We accomplish this by being the source of cross-country skiing imagery, information, inspiration, education, motivation, tools, and support for cross-country racers, touring devotees, and fitness enthusiasts. Without skis, snow is something you shovel. With skis, snow is something you glide on. Wouldn't you rather glide than shovel? Enjoy winter with the Subaru Factory Team Visit www.enjoywinter.com , sign up for SkiPost and let the Subaru Factory Team help you glide through winter, while rewarding you with free Subaru Factory team gear. For more information on the Subaru Factory Team contact Andrew Gerlach, 406-585-2660 endure@endurance-enterprises.com .
Subaru Factory Team 2 for 2 at U.S. Nationals! SOLDIER HOLLOW, Utah (January 3, 2006) -The Subaru Factory Team www.enjoywinter.com was 2 for 2 today in the Men's and Women 15k/30k National Championship Freestyle races in Soldier Hollow, UT. The top-ranked cross country skiers from around the U.S. are competing Jan. 3-10 at Soldier Hollow for their last chance to qualify for the 2006 Olympic Games in Torino, Italy. Athletes' Olympic dreams are riding on their performances
at Nationals as several days after the close of U.S. Championships
on Saturday, Jan. 17, the U.S. Olympic Cross Country Team will
be announced. Up to eight men and up to eight women will be named
to represent the United States in Italy. Teammates Rebecca Dussault and Ivan Babikov both crossed the finish line in first place, each winning a SuperTour National Championship. The win was also the 8th U.S. National title for Dussault who is a top favorite to represent the U.S. at the Winter Olympic games in Torino. Joining Dussault on the podium today was her teammate Abby Larson. Larson has been quickly moving up the USSA points ranking and with today's finish, it looks like Larson will join Dussault as an Olympic teammate as well. Ivan Babikov once again proved he deserves to be considered amongst the world's best skiers by crushing the rest of the field, finishing a minute and a half over his closest competitor. The defending SuperTour National and Grand Champion, inspired by his recent 4th place World Cup finish, will attempt to make the 2006 Olympics as a member of the Russian national team.
Speedy Salomon skis help propel
Ivan Babikov to stunning Vernon, British Columbia (Saturday December 10, 2005) - FIS World Cup cross-country competition, Men's Pursuit 15 Classic + 15 Freestyle. Ivan Babikov, by taking the race lead and ultimately finishing a mere 8.6 seconds out proved two things: 1. Babikov is world class, Babikov, who is a member of the Subaru Factory Team, competed in his first world cup race as a Russian citizen, in a Canadian uniform. He started the mass start 30 Km Pursuit (15km classic+15km freestyle) in the 43rd position. From the gun Babikov immediately started to pick off skiers. His Salomon skis provided mule like kick on every uphill, which allowed him to surge past numerous World Cup and Olympic victors. By the end of the 15km classic leg he was in 18th place, a mere 4 seconds out of 1st. In the skate leg Babikov continued his forward march until he and his super fast Salomon Equipe 10 skate skis took the race lead at around the 21km point. Babikov remained in the top 5 until he got tangled up with another racer and spun out. The crash dropped Babikov from the lead pack of 25 with 3.5 km remaining. Still, Babikov kept his composure and battled back to catch the pack, eventually passing 10 skiers to place 14th, only 8.6 seconds out of 1st. Equally as stunning as Babikov's performance is the history of his wicked fast Salomon Equipe 10 skis. He raced the classic leg on a pair of 38 kg (FA), 0.8 (HR), 201cm cold, Salomon Equipe 10 skis that were borrowed by him from the Salomon Event Force demo fleet at the West Yellowstone Fall Camp. These skis, complete with demo scars, were stone-ground by FinnSiSu in St Paul, MN and shipped back to Babikov in Vernon. Babikov (67kg) skated on a pair of 107 kg Equipe 10 cold skis that were selected in October for their 107 kg flex from the ski wall at Gear West in Minneapolis, MN. (I requested skis from a couple of retailers this fall because I had not requested certain flexes for the Subaru Factory Team from the Salomon France worldwide warehouse this summer) These skis were ground with a Zack Caldwell Z40 grind for Rocky Mountain cold humidity snow and given to Babikov three weeks ago at the West Yellowstone Ski Festival. What is stunning, is that the skis used by Babikov, the Subaru Factory Team and all Salomon sponsored racers are identical to the skis that are available to every day skiers at their local Salomon retailer. We selected our Subaru Factory Team fleet of skis from the exact same boxes at the warehouse in Lyon France as those that were ultimately delivered to Salomon retailers worldwide. I have full confidence that if I am ever in need of additional skis, I like any skier, can go to a Salomon dealer and get skis that could win a World Cup. Men's Pursuit 15km C + 15km F Top 20 Results: Subaru Factory Team athletes selected to compete on World Cup
The group, including 16 men and 11 women, was named following SuperTour races Friday and Saturday on the Rendezvous Ski Trails in West Yellowstone, MT. The athletes will race in two events Dec. 10-11 at Sovereign Lake in Vernon, B.C., and in three more races Dec. 15-18 at Canmore, Alberta, the 1988 Olympic cross-country venue. "I was so happy that I raced well," said Larson, 26, who will appear in her first World Cup. "This is a big step in going to the Olympics. Only a select group goes to the Olympics. I'm happy to be art of that." "This is the largest team we've ever taken outside the United States," said U.S. Nordic Director Luke Bodensteiner. "We have a chance to expose a lot of athletes, many of whom will be racing at the Olympics, to strong international fields and we're taking advantage of it." Selection was based on SuperTour and other results, Bodensteiner said. "This is a good group. We've got some veterans, several college skiers, and it's going to be a good opportunity for many of them to see what happens at the World Cup level. It will be the first World Cup race for some of them, and I think," said Head Coach Trond Nystad, "it's going to be a real eye-opener for some of these athletes, but it's also an excellent opportunity, especially in an Olympic season, to rise to the occasion and show what they can do." The team named for Canadian World Cups (* - designates 2002 Olympian): Men: Carl Swenson (Park City, UT*), Torin Koos (Leavenworth, WA*), Andrew Johnson (Greensboro, VT*), Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT*), Kris Freeman* and Justin Freeman (both Andover, NH), Chris Cook (Rhinelander, WI), James Southam (Anchorage, AK), Lars Flora (also Anchorage*), Eli Enman (Huntington, VT), Dave Chamberlain (Bethel, ME), Dave Stewart (Ripton, VT), Colin Rogers (Limestone, ME), Leif Zimmerman (Bozeman, MT), Chad Giese (St. Paul, MN) and Kevin Hochtl (Vail, CO). Women: Wendy Wagner (Park City, UT*), Sarah Konrad (Laramie, WY), Kikkan Randall (also Anchorage*), Alison Crocker (Poughkeepsie, NY), Brooke Hovey (Ketchum, ID), Kate Whitcomb (Presque Isle, ME), Taz Mannix (also Anchorage, AK), Lindsay Williams (Hastings, MN), Rebecca Dussault (Gunnison, CO), Abby Larson (Bozeman, MT) and Lindsey Weier (Mahtomedi, MN*). **Subaru Factory Team member Ivan Babikov also qualified to race the World Cups as a members of the Russian Ski Federation contingent. "This is an Olympic year," Nystad said, "and all of these skiers are fighting for an Olympic spot. These races will be a chance to help separate themselves from some of the others."
The Subaru Factory
Team, North America's Premier Cross-CountrySki Team, Bozeman, MT (August 16, 2005) - Enjoy winter! Go cross-country skiing with the help of the Subaru Factory Team. (www.enjoywinter.com) The Subaru Factory Team, now entering their 12th season, is pleased to announce the team's 2005-2006 athlete roster and major sponsors. North America's Premier Cross-Country Ski Team, with continued and unparalleled support from title sponsor Subaru of America and Ski, Boot, and Binding sponsor Salomon North America, will in conjunction with a host of other visionary sponsors, continue to pursue their racing dreams and show America's snowbound populace how cross-country skiing can maximize their enjoyment of winter. This season's stellar team includes Olympians, Lars Flora and Patrick Weaver, 7 Time National Champion Rebecca Dussault, National Marathon Champion Abigail Larson and SuperTour /Spring Series Champion Ivan Babikov. Rounding out the deep 13-member roster are Chad Giese, Justin Easter, Eric Meyer, Kristina Strandberg, Caitlin Compton, Tim Weston and Rob Whitney. Both Dussault, the #1 ranked U.S. Female who returns to the team after a year with the U.S. Ski Team, and Flora, the #4 ranked U.S. Male, should be shoo-in's for this winters Olympic Team. Larson, after an impressive season that included her first US National Title, along with Giese who was a World Cup qualifier, will be looking for early season success to land spots on their first Olympic team. The 2005-2006 racing season kicks off in Fairbanks, AK, Nov 5, 2005. The chase of the Olympic dream and sharing of expertise would not be possible without the vision of the team's sponsors. Subaru of America, the team's title sponsor for the past 5 years, extended its commitment to the program through spring 2008. The Subaru Factory Team relies on Subaru Symmetric All-Wheel Drive vehicles' capabilities and safety features to get them to the start line in even the worst of weather conditions. Consumers that purchase new Subaru vehicles through the Subaru Factory Team's "Enjoy Winter" rewards program will continue to receive a free custom vest made by the team's clothing sponsor, Craft. "The incentive has been a huge success over the past few seasons and we hope to continue rewarding consumers for purchasing our sponsors' products", commented Liberty Brown, Marketing Manager for Endurance Enterprises, Inc., managing company of the Subaru Factory Team. More information about Subaru of America, Inc. and Subaru vehicles can be found at www.subaru.com. Other long time team sponsors that have extended their support include Salomon, skis, boots and bindings www.salomonsports.com, Swix wax, poles, and gloves www.swixsport.com, Rudy Project eyewear www.rudyprojectusa.com , Craft Race Wear www.craft-usa.com, Nathan, human propulsion laboratories www.nathansports.com ,Gary Fisher bikes www.fisherbikes.com, and the West Yellowstone Holiday Inn www.doyellowstone.com Outside Magazine www.outside.away.com and Ski Racing Magazine www.skiracing.com are Subaru Factory Team media sponsors. The Subaru Factory Team, North America's premier cross-country ski team, is comprised of 13 champion athletes, including two Olympians and four national champions. Winners of the American Ski Marathon Series 11 years in a row, their mission is to use the exposure that the team's unparalleled racing success brings to show America's snowbound populace how cross-country skiing can maximize their enjoyment of winter. They accomplish this by being the source of cross-country skiing imagery, information, inspiration, education, motivation, tools, and support for cross-country racers, touring devotees, and fitness enthusiasts. For more information on the Subaru Factory Team contact Andrew Gerlach, 406-585-2660 endure@endurance-enterprises.com .
Portland, OR (May1, 2005)- Salomon and Endurance Enterprises announced today the Subaru Factory Team has chosen to use Salomon Cross-Country Skis, Boots and Bindings exclusively for the 2005-2006 season and beyond. "This is an awesome opportunity for Salomon Nordic", said Ted Wardlaw, Sports Marketing Manager for Hardgoods at Salomon. "The Subaru Factory Team is arguably the premier group of Nordic athletes in North America, and for the Subaru Factory Team to make the switch to Salomon skis in the coming Olympic year gives us a lot of pride in the job that our developers have done engineering our new ski line." "The Team tested Salomon's off-the-shelf Equipe 10 skating and classic product against the very best Team skis in their large and proven quivers and came back smiling", remarked Subaru Factory Team founder and director Andrew Gerlach. "The Salomon Equipe skis tested so favorably against the Team's own proven skis, the Team committed to the new Salomon skis without hesitation". Salomon has been the official Boot and Binding of the Subaru Factory Team since the Team's inception in 1994. During that span Subaru Factory Team athletes have won 11 consecutive American Ski Marathon Series titles and Salomon Boot and Binding systems have won 85% of all Olympic, World Cup, and World Championship Medals. Today, Salomon becomes the official Ski, Boot, and Binding supplier to the Subaru Factory Team. "We absolutely want to have the same impact with skis that we have had with our boots and bindings over the years," commented Wardlaw, "and with the great athletes and outreach, education and development programs that the Factory Team continues to develop, this goal is within our reach." The Ski, Boot and Binding sponsorship, made between
Salomon North America and the Subaru Factory Team's parent company
(Endurance Enterprises, Inc) will allow the Subaru Factory Team
athletes to continue their winning ways. It also guarantees that
America's leading cross-county athletes and coaches will continue
to gain unparalleled support through the Salomon Athlete Force;
and ski enthusiasts across the country will continue to receive
the knowledge they seek through SkiPost, the definitive cross-country
skiing email-newsletter.
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