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Press Release - August 2002 - Rider Ownership
CHORUS SNOWBOARD TEAM TAKES OWNERSHIP
STAKE
-Team Acquires Greater Control of Company and Plans for Growth-
Portland, Ore., August 20, 2002 - Continuing its
philosophy of supporting and building from the team up, Chorus
Snowboards has announced that it will further engage its core
team by granting partial ownership to each of its athletes. The
team, which includes world-class professional snowboarders Leslee
Olson, Cara Beth Burnside, Roberta Rodger and Tomo Yamakoshi,
will thereby acquire greater control of the direction and future
growth of the company.
"We always felt like we owned the company before
and we worked just as hard with as much passion then as we will
now. But, it's a nice compliment and it makes us even more dedicated
to the success of this company," said Leslee Olson. "I
just got back from tuning and waxing 22 boards and delivered them
to a camp, so you can see I'm more than just a rider."
Moving into Chorus Snowboards' second successful
season, plans are in place for the company's continued growth
and expansion. In response to the many hits on the Chorus website
- over 400,000 visitors visit the Chorus site every month, many
of whom are beginners anxious to get involved with snowboarding
- Chorus has plans to develop an entry-level board for beginners
for winter 2003. The company will also expand its soft goods line
to include more rider-designed street wear and accessories.
Since the brand's emergence into the market one
year ago, Chorus has made a considerable impact on the women's
snowboard market. As seen by the response from its consumers,
the popularity of the brand lies in the strength of its team.
Chorus, in turn, provides consumers with extraordinary access
to the team through special events, the company web site and other
channels.
One example is the Chorus Nights program at Oregon's
High Cascade Snowboard Camp and Canada's Camp of Champions. During
Chorus Nights the Chorus team answers questions, shares stories
about snowboarding and spends time getting to know the campers
during dinner. In response to last season's program, a majority
of the repeat campers brought along their newly purchased Chorus
snowboards this season.
The team also spends time throughout the summer
guest coaching at summer camps and this spring hosted a women's
3-day camp at Mt. Bachelor. All levels participated with campers
aged 9-60. "There were even mom's out there riding the halfpipe!"
said Olson.
Chorus is the first-ever snowboard company founded
in October 2000 by five professional, world-class female snowboarders
that manufactures progressive, innovative product for women only.
Chorus snowboards are built with women in mind, offering customized
flex and shape with a strong focus on freestyle performance. Although
each rider works with artists to design a graphic to suit her
personality, Chorus boards are not signature models. The team
works closely together to test, ride and collaborate on design
of the entire line. Chorus offers cap construction snowboards
in five lengths from 142cm-157cm and sidewall boards in lengths
of 145cm, 150cm and 155cm. The company also offers a girls' collection,
featuring boards in lengths of 118cm and 128cm. Chorus snowboards
and apparel are sold at select specialty snowboarding stores worldwide.
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