WIDIA and Partners Fastenal and Hi-Speed Corp. Join the Team
The United States Bobsled & Skeleton Federation (USBSF) announced today that WIDIA, the world´s premiere manufacturer of metalcutting products, and their trusted partners Fastenal and Hi-Speed Corp. have joined the team as sponsors for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 World Cup seasons leading up to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. They join BMW, Under Armour, National Guard and KOA as full sled sponsors.
Right out of the gate the dynamic four-man bobsled team of Nick Cunningham, Adam Clark, Andreas Drbal and Chris Fogt won a bronze medal while racing the WIDIA sled in the World Cup season opener in Lake Placid, NY. The tour continues through Europe, culminating with the World Championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland (January 25 - February 3, 2013) and then an Olympic dress rehearsal in Sochi, Russia (February 15-17, 2013).
The WIDIA, Fastenal and Hi-Speed Corp. partnership goes beyond simple sponsorship, as this trio is also now USBSF´s official metalworking champions, ensuring that USA´s athletes are sliding down the track with the fastest machined bobsled runners possible. Bernie McConnell, Vice President of WIDIA, sees the partnership as an extension of his company´s extreme engineering.
"We're extremely excited about our USBSF sponsorship and their prospects for winning the World Cup," McConnell said. "This team personifies the strength and passion of the WIDIA brand, as well as our partners, Fastenal and Hi-Speed Corporation. Our company's brand is built on providing customers with the highest levels of productivity in the most extreme environments - just like this team."
"In a sport that´s often won by a mere hundredth of a second, a quality runner program can easily make the difference between a podium finish or placing outside the medals. It is an essential component for success and one of the reasons we are excited to have WIDIA behind us." Darrin Steele, CEO of USBSF and bobsled Olympian, said.
The U.S. team are the reigning World Champions, winning four gold medals out of six events at the 2012 World Championships in Lake Placid; 86 medals during the 2011-2012 World Cup season; 24 Olympic Medals (nine gold, eight silver, seven bronze since 1928); and 56 World Cup Victories (19 gold, 16 silver, 21 bronze since 1985).
For media inquiries, please contact Amanda Bird, USBSF Marketing & Communications Manager, at abird@usbsf.com, or at (518) 354-2250.
About the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation
The United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, based in Lake Placid, N.Y., is the national governing body for the sports of bobsled and skeleton in the United States. The USBSF would like to thank its sponsors, suppliers and contributors for their support: BMW of North America, Under Armour, United States National Guard, Kampgrounds of America, WIDIA, Vivat!, Global Forwarding, KBC Helmets, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Autism Speaks, Park City Lodging, EDAS/Ripxx, UberSense, Tesa Tape and Ferris Mfg. Corp. For more information, please visit the USBSF website at bobsled.teamusa.org.
WIDIA-brand products and services have defined innovation in the metalcutting industry for more than 80 years - from the world´s first patent for carbide indexable inserts to the development of the world´s first coated grades. The WIDIA brand offers a complete portfolio of precision-engineered products and custom solution services. With thousands of milling, turning, holemaking, and tooling systems products available through a worldwide network of authorized distributor partners, you´ll find everything you need from one single source.
To locate a WIDIA distributor, contact: WIDIA Products Group 800-979-4342 or visit our webiste www.widia.com
