Speedo(R) to Extend Cutting Edge Technology to Sledding Sports
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Speedo(R) announced today that it has
signed individual endorsement deals with American 2006 Winter Olympic sledding
hopefuls Vonetta Flowers, Todd Hays, Noelle Pikus-Pace, Jean Prahm (formerly
Racine), and Chris Soule. These are the first-ever winter sport sponsorships
for the world's top-selling swimwear brand, whose Olympic heritage dates back
to 1932. Today's announcement precedes the unveiling of evolutionary suit
technology that will make its Olympic debut during the 2006 Winter Games in
Torino, Italy, February 10-26.
In 2004, Speedo launched FASTSKIN(R) FSII, the world's fastest swimsuit.
Developed with and worn by American Olympic Gold Medalist swimmers Michael
Phelps, Amanda Beard, and Natalie Coughlin, FASTSKIN FSII underwent extensive
research and athlete testing, including drag analysis, Computational Fluid
Dynamics (CFD) testing, state of the art laser modeling and the fabric
replication of shark skin. Ultimately, 47 Olympic medals were won by athletes
wearing Speedo FASTSKIN FSII at the Athens Games, more than twice the number
of medals won by athletes wearing the second most popular brand.
Speedo now turns its success from the water to the ice. Speedo athletes
are expected to compete in Olympic sledding sports.
"The difference between gold and silver will be hundredths of a second,"
said Flowers. "I'm excited to be working with a brand that has not only been
at the forefront of speed for more than 75 years but has been very engaged
with our specific needs during the suit development for Torino."
"Speedo's dominance in the pool is built around a research and development
process that engages the world's best swimmers," said Sheree Waterson,
president, Speedo North America. "This approach now extends to sledding
athletes, opening up unprecedented opportunities for speed."
Below are short biographies of the respective athletes.
* Flowers was the 2002 Olympic Gold medalist in the 2-man bobsled. She is
the first African American to win an Olympic Gold medal in the Winter
Olympics.
* Hays was the 2002 Olympic Winter games Silver medalist in the 4-man
bobsled and finished in the top-five in every four-man race in the 2005
season in which he competed, including two World Cup wins.
* Pikus-Pace, the 2004-2005 overall World Cup champion, was the first
woman from the United States to complete a season as the No. 1 ranked
competitor in the world in women's skeleton.
* Prahm, a 2002 Olympian, was the overall World Cup champion in 1999-2000
and 2000-2001.
* Soule was a 2002 Olympian and Team Captain, 2003 World Cup champion, and
has earned the most World Cup medals of any American (17).
Team Speedo(R) athletes also include American Olympic champions Michael
Phelps (swimming), Amanda Beard (swimming), Natalie Coughlin (swimming), Karch
Kiraly (beach volleyball), and Kerri Walsh (beach volleyball).
SPEEDO(R) and the Boomerang Device are registered trademarks of and used
under license from SPEEDO(R) International Ltd.
Warnaco Swimwear Inc., a division of The Warnaco Group Inc.
(Nasdaq: WRNC), is the authorized licensee of the Speedo(R) trademark in North
America and the Caribbean.
ABOUT SPEEDO(R)
Born on Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia in 1928, SPEEDO(R) is the
world's top-selling swimwear brand. The brand's heritage derives from its
leadership in competitive swimming, where more Olympic Gold Medals have been
won in Speedo(R) than any other brand. Eight-time Olympic Medalist Michael
Phelps and seven-time Olympic medalist Amanda Beard are among the elite
swimmers who wear SPEEDO(R) Fastskin(TM) technology. Building on its
authentic base, the SPEEDO(R) product line has dramatically expanded over the
years. It now includes women's fashion and fitness swimwear, men's water
shorts, kid's swimwear, active wear, footwear, and a comprehensive collection
of aquatic and fitness equipment. For more information visit,
http://www.SpeedoUSA.com.
ABOUT THE WARNACO GROUP, INC.
The Warnaco Group, Inc., headquartered in New York, is a leading apparel
company engaged in the business of designing, marketing and selling intimate
apparel, menswear, jeanswear, swimwear, men's and women's sportswear and
accessories under such owned and licensed brands as Warner's(R), Olga(R),
Lejaby(R), Body Nancy Ganz(TM), Speedo(R), Anne Cole(R), Op(R), Ocean
Pacific(R), Cole of California(R) and Catalina(R) as well as Chaps(R)
sportswear and denim, J. Lo by Jennifer Lopez(R) lingerie, Nautica(R)
swimwear, Michael Kors(R) swimwear and Calvin Klein(R) men's and women's
underwear, men's accessories, men's, women's, junior women's and children's
jeans and women's and juniors' swimwear.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release, as well as certain other written, electronic and oral
disclosure made by Warnaco from time to time, may contain "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and relevant legal decisions. The forward-looking statements involve risks
and uncertainties and reflect, when made, the Company's estimates, objectives,
projections, forecasts, plans, strategies, beliefs, intentions, opportunities
and expectations. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated
results or expectations and investors are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on any forward-looking statements. Statements other than statements
of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements may be identified by, among other things, the use of
forward-looking language, such as the words "believe," "anticipate,"
"estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "project," "scheduled to," "seek,"
"should," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," or the negative of
those terms, or other similar words and phrases or by discussions of
intentions or strategies.
The following factors, among others and in addition to those described in
Warnaco's reports filed with the SEC (including, without limitation, those
described under the heading "Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Disclosure,"
as it may be modified or supplemented from time to time, in such reports),
could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those
expressed in any forward-looking statements made by it: economic conditions
that affect the apparel industry; the Company's failure to anticipate,
identify or promptly react to changing trends, styles, or brand preferences;
further declines in prices in the apparel industry; declining sales resulting
from increased competition in the Company's markets; increases in the prices
of raw materials; events which result in difficulty in procuring or producing
the Company's products on a cost-effective basis; the effect of laws and
regulations, including those relating to labor, workplace and the environment;
changing international trade regulation, including as it relates to the
imposition or elimination of quotas on imports of textiles and apparel; the
Company's ability to protect its intellectual property or the costs incurred
by the Company related thereto; the Company's dependence on a limited number
of customers; the Company's dependence on the reputation of its brand names;
the Company's exposure to conditions in overseas markets in connection with
the Company's foreign operations and the sourcing of products from foreign
third-party vendors; the Company's foreign currency exposure; unanticipated
internal control deficiencies or weaknesses or ineffective disclosure controls
and procedures; and the sufficiency of cash to fund operations, including
capital expenditures.
In addition, Warnaco encourages investors to read the discussion of the
Company's critical accounting policies under "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Discussion of
Critical Accounting Policies" contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended January 1, 2005, as such discussion may be modified or
supplemented by subsequent reports that the Company files with the SEC. The
discussion in this press release is not exhaustive but is designed to
highlight important factors that may affect actual results. Forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and, except for
the Company's ongoing obligation under the U.S. federal securities laws, the
Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
SOURCE Speedo
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Related links:
http://www.SpeedoUSA.com
CONTACT:
Kimberly Moran, +1-818-344-6195, ext. 121,
kimberlym@bzapr.com, or Audra Silverman, +1-212-708-1703,
audras@bzapr.com, both of Brener Zwikel & Associates, for Speedo
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