Contact Information: Jim Fredericks Rossignol Ski Company PO Box 298 Williston, VT 05495 Press Release 802-863-2511 ext 2410 January 20, 2006

Take Aim, Fly Long, and Ski Fast

Take aim, fly long, and ski fast will be the send off cheer for 14 Rossignol Nordic skiers who will seek their Olympic dream next month in Torino, . The Olympic trials are over and these 14 athletes were chosen by their respective NGB’s (National Governing Bodies) to represent the U.S. at the Olympic games. “This is the largest group of Nordic skiers ever to represent a single country for Rossignol and I feel this speaks very highly of our products and support” says Jim Fredericks, nordic racing and promotions manager for Rossignol Ski Company.

Heading up this group of extremely talented athletes is Todd Lodwick, representing Nordic Combined. Todd was the first American Nordic skier to become a Junior World Champion (1995) and the first Nordic combined skier to win a World Cup. This will be Todd’s fourth Olympic games having competed in 1994, ’98, 2002. Todd was ranked fourth in the overall World Cup standings in 2005.

Jay Hakkinen leads the contingent as the most decorated U.S. biathlete. Jay made U.S. biathlon history by becoming the first athlete to win a Junior World Biathlon Championship in 1997 and had the top U.S. finish in any Olympics with a 13th place finish in 2002. This will be Jay’s third Olympics (’98, 2002) as both Todd and Jay head into these games with the experience of seasoned veterans. They are focused and their eyes are on the podium.

Alan Alborn, representing the Nordic jumping squad will be heading into his third Olympic Games (’98, 2002). Alan’s best placing was 10th in the 2002 games and he has had three top ten results in World Cup jumping. On the other end of the spectrum, entering his first Olympic games is Anders Johnson who has made U.S. history by becoming the youngest Nordic athlete ever to represent the U.S. at 16 years of age. We expect some great things from Anders in future years.

In the cross-country discipline, Torin Koos will be heading into his second Olympics as a sprint specialist and will be joined by newcomer James Southam. James has recently gained international experience in the 2005 World Championships and various World Cups in the past year along with the most consistent results for U.S. contingent in 2005/06.

Rossignol is proud to be part of the Olympic dream for all these talented athletes and would like to wish the entire U.S. Olympic Nordic squad tremendous success in Torino.

14 U.S. ROSSIGNOL NORDIC OLYMPIC TEAM ATHLETES Biathlon Age Hometown Jay Hakkenin 28 Kasilof, AK Tim Burke 23 Saranac Lake, NY 24 Lake Placid, NY Brian Olson 22 Bloomington, MN Lanny Barnes 23 Durango, CO Tracy Barnes 23 Durango, CO (Biathletes on Rossi Skis, Boots, Bindings)

Nordic Combined Todd Lodwick 29 Steamboat Springs, CO Bill Demong 25 Vermontville, NY (N/C on Rossi Skis (Jump & XC) xc bindings, xc boots)

Jumping Alan Alborn 25 Anchorage, AK Clint Jones 21 Steamboat Springs, CO Tommy Schwall 22 Steamboat Springs, CO Anders Johnson 16 Park City, UT (Jumpers on Rossi Skis)

Cross Country Torin Koos 25 Leavenworth, WA James Southam 27 Anchorage, AK (Torin on Rossi Skis, boots, Bindings) (James on Rossi Skis, Boots, Bindings, Poles)

Lowell Bailey Tim Burke Jay Hakkinen

Tracy Barnes Lanny Barnes

Brian Olsen Torin Koos James Southam

Billy Demong Todd Lodwick

Alan Alborn Clint Jones Tommy Schwall

Missing Photo: Anders Johnson