Four years of preparation, one defining moment. The upcoming month is undoubtedly the biggest and most important four weeks for the world’s best cross-country skiers, as well as for us at Craft. Collaborating with the superstars of innovative fabrics and the skiers on Ski Team Sweden and US Ski Team, we now launch a new peerless racing suit – the superlight and ultra-fast Stratum!
Since we outsmarted the entire world of cross-country skiing in Sochi four years ago (with the launch of the highly successful Podium suit), the competition has to a large degree replicated our gains to almost close the gap. Until now.
Presenting Stratum, we are outpacing the pack. Again.
Light as a feather. Aerodynamics that would make even the time trial champions of Tour de France green of envy. Cooler than a pair of thin running tights designed for spring days. And stretchier than anything ever designed for cross-country skiing. Well, Stratum is indeed in a league completely of its own.
Superlight, ultra-fast and exceptionally cooling
Working closely together with Schoeller and Jersey Lomellina, two of the world’s leading suppliers of high-tech performance fabrics, and applying all our knowledge and experience from winning Tour de France as well as drawing from our pile of Olympic medals, we have developed the lightest suit ever produced.
In addition, the suit includes revolutionary low-resistance fabric from Schoeller, a high-tech material that features a power dimple structure that provides superior aerodynamics in the 20 to 45 km/h speed range.
Moreover, since elite athletes ski with exceptionally high intensity, producing enormous amounts of body heat, the main objective of their racing clothes is therefore to keep their bodies cool. To meet this challenge, Stratum is a body-mapping wonderland of very thin materials, open structure fabrics and laser-cut perforations, offering superior breathability at the back, chest, armpits and back of knee.
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Craft Sportswear is a Swedish brand specializing in clothing for endurance sports where performance and comfort are crucial for optimal result. Working closely with elite athletes and constantly developing new materials and technical solutions, Craft offers innovative training and competition apparel.
Once again Craft North America is proud to offer an exceptional line of custom nordic ski clothing through our Custom Cross Country product line under the leadership of Custom XC manager and industry veteran John Dyste. “I am excited to build Crafts’ growing Custom program by combining my years of experience with Crafts unparalleled brand quality to bring our new Custom Nordic line to teams, clubs, and schools throughout North America”, says Dyste.
For 2017, Craft is pleased to be celebrating 40 years of striving to provide the best performance sportswear to athletes worldwide. In addition to being our 40th anniversary, we are proud to be the exclusive race suit and warm-up clothing provider for the U.S. National Nordic Team for the 2018 season including the Winter Olympics in South Korea. Craft has a long history in the Nordic Skiing market, and currently sponsors both the U.S. and Swedish national teams. Through testing and developing its product with some of the worlds top nordic athletes, Craft has developed its new Performance XC 3.0 line, designed for the custom nordic ski apparel market, complimented by an in-line assortment of warmup and training clothing. The entire Custom XC line is an ideal choice for teams, clubs, and schools to ENJOY THE HARD WORK through an ideal combination of comfort, performance, and style.
Visit Craft and see the new Performance XC 3.0 line at the West Yellowstone Ski Festival beginning November 21st!
CRAFT- BOOSTING THE SPORT EXPERIENCE SINCE 1977
Craft is a Swedish brand specializing in clothing for endurance sports where performance and comfort are crucial for a good result. Working closely with elite athletes and constantly developing new materials and technical solutions, Craft offers cutting-edge training and competition apparel. WWW.CRAFTSPORTS.US
From left to right: U.S. Nordic Ski Team members Andy Newell and Kikkan Randall, and U.S. Nordic Combined’s Bryan Fletcher during the 2015-16 L.L. Bean and Craft U.S. Cross Country Ski Team and U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team uniform unveiling at the Center of Excellence in Park City, Utah. (Photo: USSA)
PARK CITY, UT (Oct. 19, 2015) – Over the past decade the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team and U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team have taken pride in their dramatic growth to become highly competitive teams in the sport. Monday, that pride was evident as athletes donned brand new uniforms in anticipation of the upcoming World Cup season from first-year partners L.L.Bean and CRAFT Sportswear.
Over two dozen athletes and coaches gathered at the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s Center of Excellence training facility in Park City as leaders from L.L.Bean and CRAFT unveiled the 2015-16 uniform kits for the athletes, handing out full sets of winter training wear, warmup clothing, outerwear and competition suits.
It’s the first year of the unique uniform partnership with L.L.Bean, a leading outdoor equipment and apparel designer and merchant, and CRAFT Sportswear North America, renowned for its cutting edge technology in world-class competition and training wear. L.L.Bean is providing insulated outerwear and rainwear, as well as casual products and competition hats. CRAFT has developed customized World Cup and Olympic race suits and performance jackets and pants. The Team has been working out this summer in training wear from both companies.
One of the innovative elements of the partnership has been the close working relationship between the teams’ world class Olympic athletes and L.L.Bean and CRAFT, allowing the athletes to be a part of the performance design process.
“I’ve really been looking forward to the uniform unveiling,” said World Champion Kikkan Randall (Anchorage, AK). “L.L.Bean and CRAFT have spent a lot of time working with us to design and provide us with products that we need to perform on the World Cup. It’s so exciting to be kicking off this season with the enthusiasm of two great companies.”
“The team has been fired up for today’s official unveiling of our new L.L.Bean and CRAFT uniforms,” said top-ranked cross country sprinter Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT). “This is the first time we’ve been able to work so closely in the design and functionality of our gear, so there is a lot of team pride involved in our uniforming this year.”
“The clothing presentation from L.L.Bean and CRAFT is a great way to kick off the season” said U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team member Bryan Fletcher. “Having all the athletes from both cross country and nordic combined there to discover the new gear for the first time is exciting and really makes the season feel like it’s upon us.”
L.L.Bean provided over 25 different uniform pieces for the athletes, including base layers, custom-made insulated pants, winter training gear and team-branded outerwear.
The centerpiece of CRAFT’s 13-piece competition wear set is the racing suits from its Podium Collection, featuring innovative design and thermal regulation properties resulting from extensive research and development. One of the most important elements is CRAFT’s Moving Wing Technology TM, a wing-like design across the back that helps not only helps regulate the athletes’ core body temperature, but also allows skiers to move more freely and unleash their power into the ski track.
“Clothing is a major factor in our sport today,” said Head Cross Country Coach Chris Grover. “It’s a unique balance of comfort and performance, which is especially important given the high level of athleticism required to win and the extreme, variable weather conditions we face both in training and competition.”
Much of the L.L.Bean and CRAFT gear that the athletes will wear this season will also be available to the public.
“It’s going to be really special that the entire U.S. ski community will have access to all of the same great products being used by the national team,” said Randall. “Fans will now be able to show their support by sporting their new U.S. Ski Team L.L.Bean and CRAFT Sportswear gear.”
The cross country team is in the midst of its final dryland camp in Park City before heading to its opening World Cup Nov. 27-29 in Ruka, Finland. The nordic combined team just returned from a training camp in Slovenia and opens its World Cup tour Nov. 28-29 in Ruka.
HIGHLIGHTS
Over two dozen proud athletes and coaches from the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team and U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team were on hand for the unveiling of the 2015-16 team uniforms on Monday, Oct. 19 at the team’s Center of Excellence training center in Park City, UT.
The team welcomed leaders from its uniforming partners L.L.Bean and CRAFT Sportswear.
As a part of the unique partnership, team athletes played a key role in the development of the performance gear from both companies.
Fans of the U.S. Ski Team will be able to purchase much of the same gear from L.L.Bean and CRAFT. U.S. SKI TEAM UNIFORMING
Highlighted L.L.Bean U.S. Ski Team Uniform Products
Wind Challenger Down Jacket
Insulated Pant (custom made for U.S. Ski Team)
Polypro Base Layer
Ultralight 850 Down Sweater Jacket & Vest
Bean’s Sweater Fleece Pullover
Women’s Trail Tech Quarter-Zip
Men’s Crosswinds Training Tee
Men’s Wool Tek FZ CRAFT Sportswear U.S. Ski Team Uniform Products
Podium Collection line:
Active Extreme Baselayers
Active Extreme Windstopper Baselayers
Active Comfort Baselayers
Podium Race Suits
Podium Jacket and Pants
High Function Vests and Pants
Hydration Drink Belt QUOTES
Kikkan Randall, U.S. Cross Country Ski Team
I’ve really been looking forward to the uniform unveiling. L.L.Bean and CRAFT have spent a lot of time working with us to design and provide us with products that we need to perform on the World Cup. It’s so exciting to be kicking off this season with the enthusiasm of two great companies.
It’s going to be really special that the entire U.S. ski community will have access to many of the same great products being used by the national team. Fans will now be able to show their support by sporting their new U.S. Ski Team L.L.Bean and CRAFT gear.
Andy Newell, U.S. Cross Country Ski Team
The team has been fired up for the official unveiling of our new L.L.Bean and CRAFT uniforms. This is the first time we’ve been able to work so closely in the design and functionality of our gear so there is a lot of team pride involved in our uniforming this year.
For me personally, I couldn’t be more proud to be representing L.L.Bean, a brand that has been a staple in the New England skiing community since my youth skiing days. The whole team is stoked to be partnering with these two companies – L.L. Bean for its wide variety of outerwear and CRAFT for its World Cup and Olympic-proven baselayers, race suits and training outerwear. We’ve all worked together to come up with a kit that will look cool and help display our team pride.
Bryan Fletcher, U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team
Both L.L.Bean and CRAFT have long-standing records of making great products – our teams can trust this reputation! We can go into the season confident that our gear will be functional for our specific needs, fit well and withstand all that mother nature can throw at us. Personally, I am really excited for the new partnership with L.L. Bean and CRAFT.
The clothing presentation from L.L.Bean and CRAFT is a great way to kick off the season. Having all the athletes from both cross country and nordic combined there to discover the new gear for the first time is exciting and really makes the season feel like it’s upon us.
About L.L.Bean, Inc. L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. Still family owned, Shawn Gorman, great grandson of Leon Leonwood Bean, was named Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2013. While its business has grown over the years, L.L.Bean continues to uphold the values of its founder, including his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors. L.L.Bean products are rigorously tested, guaranteed to last and always shipped free. In the past five years, L.L.Bean has donated over $6 million toward conservation and land stewardship. The 220,000 sq. ft. L.L.Bean retail store campus in Freeport, ME, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide at www.llbean.com, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Google+ and Instagram.
About CRAFT Sportswear CRAFT Sportswear is a Swedish brand specializing in clothing for endurance sports where performance and comfort are crucial for a good result. Founded in 1973, CRAFT Sportswear is a product of sweat and pain, of wind and rain, of falling and rising, and the euphoria experienced when pushing endurance limits. Whether at the Olympics or at home, in the woods or in the streets, CRAFT always aims for optimal performance. Craft specializes in clothing for endurance sports where performance and comfort are crucial for a good result. Working closely with elite athletes and constantly developing new materials and technical solutions, Craft offers cutting-edge training and competition apparel. Learn more about CRAFT Sportswear at www.craftsports.us, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
CRAFT North America has hired DS Specialty Sports to represent New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Eastern Pennsylvania.
DS Specialty Sports is led by Dan Sims, who began the agency in 1989, and represents brands across multiple channels, including run, cycle, outdoor, and ski. Current clients include Camelbak, CEP, Clif Bar, Timex, Balega, and Linus Bike.
Eric Schenker, CEO of CRAFT Sportswear North America, believes the agency is well positioned to drive new growth:
“DS Specialty Sports has proven success in the endurance and outdoor industry,” Schenker said. “Dan brings decades of experience and relationships that will allow him to make an immediate impact in this critical territory. We see the Northeast as one of our strongest regions but at the same time one with the most potential for growth, and we believe Dan and his team are ready to make it happen.”
Sims is joined by Dan Haselbauer who got his start in the industry in ski and bike hardgoods. Haselbauer was previously a sales and merchandise manager with Paragon Sports and Metro Bicycle Stores before moving into brand representation. Sims and Haselbauer work out of offices in Katonah and Brooklyn, New York.
“DS Specialty Sports has a history of representing the foremost endurance and outdoor brands and Craft is certainly a strong addition to our portfolio,” said Sims. “We’re proud to partner with them, and we look forward to many years of growth.”
About CRAFT: CRAFT is the pioneer of functional apparel for serious athletes. Since 1977 CRAFT has devoted itself to developing innovative clothing built to withstand extreme weather in all conditions. CRAFT works closely with its many sponsored athletes and national teams, and focuses on designing the highest performance gear. The brand’s foundation is its authentic understanding and love for the sporting culture, reflected in its strong involvement in cross-country skiing, biking, running and alpine skiing. Constantly working on optimizing construction technologies and innovative materials, CRAFT sportswear is the ideal training and competition gear for all activities year-round. For more information on CRAFT in North America, visit www.craftsports.us.
Falun, cross-country skiing and the world championships is a classic combination that has resulted in great victories for Sweden. Now it’s time again. Supported by The Kurbits Race Suit − a new super garment developed exclusively for the upcoming world championships in Falun − Kalla, Olsson and the other Swedish skiers aim to repeat Torgny Mogren’s feat from 1993.
Torgny Mogren’s victory in the 50 K event at the world championships in Falun 1993 is one of the most celebrated moments in Swedish ski history. Twenty-two years later, the championships are finally back at home. And again Sweden boasts a world-class national team, unleashing intense passion and enormous expectations.
Technically Advanced Super Garment In close collaboration with the Swedish skiers, CRAFT has developed yet another revolutionary racing outfit − The Kurbits Race Suit. This innovative garment is based on the suit that reaped great success at the Olympics in Sochi, where Charlotte Kalla won one gold and two silver medals.
Compared to its predecessor, The Kurbits Race Suit is made from a new material, a very thin and lightweight Italian polyester that offers superior function and body-temperature management. Compression fabrics in the legs keep the muscles focused while ultrasonic taped seams create a smooth surface for optimal aerodynamics.
The suit comes packed with innovative features such as Moving Wing Technology ™, which is a wing-like construction piece at the upper back that ensures total freedom of movement and allows the skiers to transmit all their power into each pole stroke. In addition, three-dimensional ergonomic design provides perfect fit and optimal comfort.
“We know that the suit delivers, as we saw during the Olympics,” says CRAFT’s CEO Jonas Peterson. ”It’s really exciting to dress one of Sweden’s best national teams for the season’s greatest ski event.”
A Tribute to Traditions The Kurbits Race Suit combines the classic Swedish cross-country colors blue, yellow and white with a modern kurbits’ pattern uniquely designed for the great event on home soil.
“By letting the suit be inspired by traditional Swedish handicraft we connect the graphic expression and the beautiful decorations to the event in Falun,” says CRAFT’s designer Lena Karlsson. ”We have based the design on the old traditions of kurbits and given it a modern twist.”
The national team’s head coach Rikard Grip is very pleased with the new suit. “It’s extremely important that the skiers can perform optimally − both during training and races,” he says. “And I’m sure it will be a great experience for the skiers to put on this exclusive suit and race in front of the home crowd.”
The Kurbits Race Suit is developed exclusively for the world championships in Falun.
About Swedish Brand CRAFT:
CRAFT is the pioneer of functional apparel for serious athletes. Since 1977 CRAFT has devoted itself to developing innovative clothing built to withstand extreme weather in all conditions. CRAFT works closely with its many sponsored athletes and national teams, and focuses on designing the highest performance gear. The brand’s foundation is its authentic understanding and love for the sporting culture, reflected in its strong involvement in cross-country skiing, biking, running and alpine skiing. Constantly working on optimizing construction technologies and innovative materials, CRAFT Sportswear is the ideal training and competition gear for all activities year-round. For more information on CRAFT in North America, visit www.CRAFTsports.us.
The Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center has started testing its new high-end custom race suits, body mapped with carbon fibers to enhance temperature management in all conditions. Thanks to a partnership with CRAFT Sportswear North America, APU will benefit from the same high tech design apparel as the Swedish National Nordic ski team.
From the elite team to the junior club, APU will be training and racing in CRAFT custom gear, creating a unified look across all APU programs.
“We got our one piece race suits this week, and have been able to test them out in intervals during training,” said Becca Rorabaugh, a member of the APU Nordic Elite team. “The legs are the perfect combination of fitted and fast, while the top allows the shoulders range of motion.”
Rorabaugh equated the team’s new race and training gear options with selecting the perfect skis for snow conditions.
“It’s important for skiers to optimize our layers so that we can train in any conditions, whether we’re dealing with horizontal sleet at 35ºF on Eagle Glacier, 0ºF in Fairbanks, or perfect 20ºF extra blue tracks in West Yellowstone,” Rorabaugh said. “As professional skiers, we spend a lot of time perfecting our ski selection for all different snow types and temperatures. The best skis often test well in a range of conditions, so why should our training and racing gear be any different?”
Anchorage communications firm, Yuit LLC, designed the custom suits that CRAFT produced. The Craft team says they could not be more excited about the new partnership and will be cheering for the APU team throughout the season.
Craft’s new Nordic custom program offers world-class performance and personalized service, with Elite and Performance collections designed for professional athletes and teams of all levels.
About CRAFT: CRAFT is the pioneer of functional apparel for serious athletes. Since 1977 CRAFT has devoted itself to developing innovative clothing built to withstand extreme weather in all conditions. CRAFT works closely with its many sponsored athletes and national teams, and focuses on designing the highest performance gear. The brand’s foundation is its authentic understanding and love for the sporting culture, reflected in its strong involvement in cross-country skiing, biking, running and alpine skiing. Constantly working on optimizing construction technologies and innovative materials, CRAFT Sportswear is the ideal training and competition gear for all activities year-round. For more information on Craft in North America, visit www.craftsports.us.
Beverly, MA (October 7, 2014) – CRAFT Sportswear North America announces the hiring of Ming Tan as its sales rep for Northern California. Tan will represent all Craft categories, including Cycling, Run, Nordic, and Custom.
Tan has nearly 20 years of experience in the outdoor sports industry, having served as vice president and general manager for companies such as Ritchey Design and Upland Sports Group. Tan also established LOOK Cycle USA, a stand-alone subsidiary to LOOK International, and managed that startup until 2010.
“With CRAFT, I’ll be getting back to what I love best—working in the field and interacting with customers,” says Tan. “Plus, this position is an opportunity to align myself with a brand that I sincerely believe in. I can say, having previously competed against CRAFT, that this is a company that promises and delivers both quality and innovation.”
Eric Schenker, COO of CRAFT Sportswear North America, says Tan’s experience will be an asset:
“We’re thrilled to have an industry veteran like Ming on board to represent CRAFT Sportswear in Northern California. Our brand has experienced tremendous growth across so many regions and Ming is the right person to carry that momentum west,” Schenker says.
About CRAFT: CRAFT is the pioneer of functional apparel for serious athletes. Since 1977 CRAFT has devoted itself to developing innovative clothing built to withstand extreme weather in all conditions. CRAFT works closely with its many sponsored athletes and national teams, and focuses on designing the highest performance gear. The brand’s foundation is its authentic understanding and love for the sporting culture, reflected in its strong involvement in cross-country skiing, biking, running and alpine skiing. Constantly working on optimizing construction technologies and innovative materials, CRAFT Sportswear is the ideal training and competition gear for all activities year-round. For more information on Craft in North America, visit www.craftsports.us.
Craft is looking for a GRAPHIC DESIGNER with web experience!
JOB DESCRIPTION
CRAFT Sportswear is seeking a graphic designer with email marketing, print advertising and web development experience. The ideal candidate has at least 2-5 years experience in graphic design. The individual must be familiar with all pre-press terminology and practices and possess a solid knowledge of design- related and file format terminology (vectors, pdf, eps, rgb, cmyk, jpg, tiff, png, ai, psd, etc.).
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Hands-on Designer – Must be able to take projects from concept through completion • Must work effectively in a deadline driven environment while maintaining a professional attitude at all times
• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple projects while meeting deadlines and design goals • Be able to work in a fast paced environment with a relaxed attitude
• Take creative feedback easily
• Motivated self-starter
• Displays strong interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail
• Reviews work for accuracy before final production
• Remains current on industry trends and technology
JOB REQUIRMENTS
Education and Experience
• Bachelors degree in Graphic Design
• Minimum of 2-5 years related experience
• Experience with design and production of various print collateral (brochures, posters, flyers, magazines, etc.)
• Strong understanding of color, typography, and layout
• Expert in Adobe Creative Suite – Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver
• MS Office – Word, Powerpoint, Excel
• Email Software
• Experience with Print Production and Printers
• Experience using MAC OS / PC
Skills that are a Plus but not Required:
• Experience coding HTML and CSS
• E-COMMERCE architecture
• Copyediting, Copywriting or Branding experience
• Product Photography and Editing
• Tradeshow booth design
• Video editing 1
• Enjoy the outdoors
Want to be part of our team? Craft is always looking for qualified people with a passion for sports. If this sounds like you, please send us an email at erin.maclachlan@karhu.com.
The world’s best cross-country skier Marit Bjørgen has signed a 4-year contract with the Swedish functional sportswear brand Craft. The freshly signed contract means that the Norwegian superstar will use Craft’s training and racing clothes as of May 2014 until the 2018 Olympics in South Korea.
”I have always paid great attention to the quality of the equipment I use,” says Marit Bjørgen. “So when choosing a new provider of training and racing clothes it was important for me to choose a partner I could trust and that has the quality required to perform optimally. It’s no accident that my choice fell on Craft. In order for me to continue winning ski races, I must work out with the best, be on the best team and have the best training and racing clothes.”
Craft is of course very pleased with signing the world’s best cross-country skier. ”We are very proud to have reached this agreement, and I must admit that I am very happy that Marit has shown this trust in us. That she has chosen us because of our product quality proves that we are doing a good job. At the same time, I am incredibly impressed with Marit’s professional attitude,” says Anders Corwin Bristol, a very satisfied sales and marketing director at Craft Norway.
INSPIRED BY KALLA
Over the last years Marit has trained closely together with Swedish star Charlotte Kalla, who is also part of Craft’s cross-country skiing campaign. During this time the two skiers have exchanged experiences regarding training and equipment, and there is no doubt that Marit has been influenced in her choice of a new provider.
”Charlotte has shown me a lot of the functionality of Craft’s clothes and told me how she works closely with the company. Now I also get to be part of the development and actively participate in the testing of products, which I am looking forward to,” says Marit.
“This is very exciting news for Craft. Having both Charlotte Kalla and now Marit Bjorgen wearing Craft really speaks to the brand’s quality and functionality,” says Katie Swenson, Nordic sales manager for Craft Sportswear North America. “It’s absolutely fantastic to have such talented athletes wearing Craft.”
AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Former Olympic sprint champion Björn Lind is responsible for Craft’s cross-country collection, and he has big plans for the collaboration with Marit. ”For us it’s important to collaborate with the best athletes in order to develop the best clothes. Elite athletes spend many hours in their training clothes and have huge demands when it comes to functionality and comfort. We use their feedback in the development of our design, technology and quality. Marit will play an important part in this process,” says Björn Lind.
ABOUT CRAFT: Craft is a Swedish brand specializing in clothing for endurance sports where performance and comfort are crucial for a good result. Working closely with elite athletes and constantly developing new materials and technical solutions, Craft offers cutting-edge training and competition apparel. www.craftsports.us
It’s time to save up on your leave days, sick days and what-ever days you need to be able to stay at home and follow the cross-country ski events at Sochi in February. This time, there will be a suit in place that will blow your mind and leave you shouting for the ultimate victory.
The races in Sochi will most likely be a warmer-than-usual experience for the cross-country skiers, considering the fact that the Russian city on the Black Sea coast boasts an average temperature of +5 degrees Celsius for the month of February. In order to meet this weather challenge, Craft has developed a new groundbreaking racing suit – Podium Suit – designed to fight the heat and set the skiers free.
Laser-cut ventilation holes.
FIGHTING THE HEAT
Developing the new suit we employed technologies that have never before been used for cross-country garments. The result is a racing suit with smooth laser-cut holes all over the back and on the sleeves that provides a revolutionary high level of ventilation and body-temperature management. Mesh legs and a thin, highly functional fabric add to the suit’s superior cooling and heat-fighting qualities.
MOVING FREELY
The cross-country skier’s ability to move unrestricted is pivotal for his or her success. Featuring the Moving Wing Technology (a wing-like construction piece across the back) and pre-shaped sleeves and legs, the suit allows the skiers to move freely and unleash all their power into the tracks.
COLLABORATING WITH THE STARS
The Sochi climate has of course played a major part in the R&D process of the new suit. And in order to find out how the body is affected by high temperatures we had some skiers on the Swedish cross-country ski team swallow a thermometer (!), allowing us to study their body temperatures from the inside. This collaboration provided us with lots of interesting findings that we could use when choosing materials, seams, and the placement of laser-cut ventilation holes.
The final version of the suit has been tested and approved by world champions Charlotte Kalla and Johan Olsson.
DAZZLING THE FANS
Few things can excite and electrify TV audiences as much as big sports events. And the races in Sochi will for sure be something extraordinary. The Podium Suit knows this, and has all the features to make you jump out of the couch, stand on your toes and scream at the top of your lungs. Indeed, it has all the qualities for turning Sochi into an 18-day long golden feast – in Russia, across the world, and in your home.
PODIUM COLLECTION
Podium collection includes Podium Suit, Podium Jacket, Podium Vest, Podium Tights and Podium Pants, all designed for the mild winter conditions that are to be expected in Sochi.
ABOUT CRAFT
Craft is a Swedish brand specializing in clothing for endurance sports where performance and comfort are crucial for a good result. Working closely with elite athletes and constantly developing new materials and technical solutions, Craft offers cutting-edge training and competition apparel. www.craftsports.us
Craft Custom Nordic Collection Developed for Cross Country Clubs and Teams Who Live Their Sport
BEVERLY, Mass. (October 29, 2013) –Craft North America announces a new custom Nordic program developed for teams and clubs of all levels. The full package of Craft Nordic gear will include race suits, jackets, pants, vests, and accessories.
The Craft Custom Nordic program offers two product categories: The Craft Elite line which takes elements from Craft’s top race suit (developed in collaboration with the Swedish National Cross Country team) and the Craft Performance line for teams seeking a more affordable technical solution.
“We learned a tremendous amount from the success of our growing custom bike program and will be putting this information to work as we move our new Nordic program forward,” says Don Snoop, senior custom sales representative. “Adding this category, along with our current baselayer custom program, really allows us to create the full package for teams and clubs.”
“The Nordic program is a great extension for us,” says Katie Gould Swenson, baselayer and Nordic sales manager. “Our custom programs have seen strong growth with club and high school teams, so we feel confident we have plenty of options for athletes at all levels.”
Craft offers customizable baselayers as a complement to Nordic kits. Craft baselayers are constructed to manage your body temperature and transport moisture away from the skin, distributing it to the outside, where it either evaporates or is passed on to the next layer, keeping you dry and comfortable in cool to cold conditions. Teams, clubs, and shops can sublimate their logo on Craft’s well-known baselayer offerings.
“At KEEN Racing, we chose Craft as our custom uniform supplier because we simply wanted the highest quality bike and ski uniforms available,” says Eli Brown of Keen Technical Solutions. “The customer service and quick turn-around times are just a bonus. We recommend Craft if you want the best.”
“Cross-country skiing is often practiced in extreme conditions and places great demands on the clothes. That’s why I’ve chosen clothes from Craft since 2007 when I became a professional skier,” says Olympic and World Champion, Charlotte Kalla.
In addition, Craft offers a full Custom Promotional Program including a selection of personal and promotional apparel such as the Leisure Full Zip Hoodie, the Craft Polo Shirt, and training tees—all of which can be custom printed or embroidered. This embellishment program provides a great way to promote your shop, team, club or event while keeping your team and staff members extremely comfortable with a professional look.
“There’s still plenty of time to order for the coming season,” says Snoop. “With Craft’s 35-plus years of performance knowledge, Nordic teams will not be disappointed.”
About CRAFT: CRAFT is the pioneer of functional apparel for serious athletes. Since 1977 CRAFT has devoted itself to developing innovative clothing built to withstand extreme weather in all conditions. CRAFT works closely with its many sponsored athletes and national teams, and focuses on designing the highest performance gear. The brand’s foundation is its authentic understanding and love for the sporting culture, reflected in its strong involvement in cross-country skiing, biking, running and alpine skiing. Constantly working on optimizing construction technologies and innovative materials, CRAFT Sportswear is the ideal training and competition gear for all activities year-round. For more information on Craft in North America, visit www.craftsports.us.
Everyone Is Back To School, Time To Get Back To Training.
Send us your best back to school photo in Craft apparel and/or Karhu shoes—dropping off the kids at the bus stop, jogging laps while you wait in the carpool line, whatever!
Get creative — you could be featured on our Facebook and Twitter pages and be entered to win a head-to-toe Craft and Karhu outfit! We’ll be sharing your photos all month long, and one lucky winner will be chosen at the end of September.
Fine print: Photos must be submitted by 9/30/13. Winning outfit includes top, bottom, hat, socks and shoes.
Beverly, MA – CRAFT Sportswear North America (www.craftsports.us) announces the hiring of Katie Gould Swenson as its Sales & Marketing Manager for Craft Base Layers & Nordic Skiing.
As part of this newly created position, Swenson will be responsible for creating an in-store merchandising solution, improving educational tools for retailer sales staff, launching a new Nordic Custom program, and refining a collection that is more geared toward a North American market.
Swenson joins CRAFT with more than a dozen years of professional experience in the outdoor industry, including leadership positions with Salomon and Swix. Most recently, she worked as the national sales manager at Tecnica Outdoor.
As a student, Gould skied competitively for Bates College and then went on to coach for programs at the Ford Sayer Ski Clinic, the National Sports Foundation, and Dartmouth College. She spent four years as the U.S. Nordic Team Manager.
“CRAFT is the perfect fit for me. It targets my three favorite sports: Nordic skiing, running, and cycling,” says Swenson. “I was already a user and a believer in the products, so that made it a no-brainer. To be involved in selling products that I can honestly back and that I’m passionate about – that’s a solid combination.”
Huub Valkenburg, CEO of CRAFT Sportswear North America, says Swenson will advance the company’s focus on base layer integration into other categories.
“Katie comes to us with a wealth of experience. She has fresh ideas and intimate knowledge of the marketplace,” Valkenburg says. “This function will be pivotal in helping us drive growth across our core categories and solidify our base layers franchise.”
About CRAFT: CRAFT is the pioneer of functional apparel for serious athletes. Since 1977 CRAFT has devoted itself to developing innovative clothing built to withstand extreme weather in all conditions. CRAFT works closely with its many sponsored athletes and national teams, and focuses on designing the highest performance gear. The brand’s foundation is its authentic understanding and love for the sporting culture, reflected in its strong involvement in cross-country skiing, biking, running and alpine skiing. Constantly working on optimizing construction technologies and innovative materials, CRAFT Sportswear is the ideal training and competition gear for all activities year-round. For more information on Craft in North America, visitwww.craftsports.us.
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Presenting Stratum, we are outpacing the pack. Again.![](http://fasterskier.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2018/02/2018-01-24_OS18434.jpg")
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![From left to right: U.S. Nordic Ski Team members Andy Newell and Kikkan Randall, and U.S. Nordic Combined's Bryan Fletcher during the 2015-16 L.L. Bean and Craft U.S. Cross Country Ski Team and U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team uniform unveiling at the Center of Excellence in Park City, Utah. (Photo: USSA)](http://fasterskier.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2015/10/LLBEAN_CRAFT.jpg")
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