Eddie Bauer announced that professional freeskiers, Drew Tabke and KC Deane, have joined its elite Guide team.
Recognized as world-class talents with a strong passion for the outdoors and adventure, their expertise will further enhance the Eddie Bauer First Ascent series featuring award-winning technical outerwear and gear.
“Eddie Bauer’s Guide-Built approach to developing product is unparalleled within the industry,” states Mike Egeck, CEO for Eddie Bauer. “We believe that the successful creation of world-class technical gear and apparel requires us to conceptualize, build and test collectively with experts in the environments for which these goods are intended. Nothing goes to market without the approval of our team.”
Drew Tabke is a two-time world freeskiing champion. Born in Utah and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, Tabke won his first national contest at Snowbird in 2004. Since then, he has spent the past ten years circling the globe on tour, stacking up numerous consecutive podium finishes and two coveted Sickbird awards. In 2011, Tabke earned his first Freeskiing World Tour title at the same Snowbird venue that started his competitive career. After finishing second in 2012, he repeated as overall world champ last winter-this time on the unified Freeride World Tour and also clinched the 2013 tour crown in Verbier, Switzerland. He is about to embark on the 2014 Freeride World Tour to defend his championship, kicking off in Courmeyer, Italy on January 18. Tabke now calls Seattle home and Crystal Mountain his training ground.
KC Deane was a member of Team America’s 2014 freeskiing ski team, which recently won the Swatch Skier’s Cup, a head-to-head, invitation-only, backcountry slopestyle and big mountain contest in Zermatt, Switzerland.
Deane grew up honing his freestyle ski skills on Idaho’s Schweitzer Mountain before joining the competitive circuit and turning pro in 2008. When winter ends, Deane takes his big-air skills to the dirt as a professional mountain biker in Whistler, BC.
“Drew and KC are a valuable addition to our team,” adds Egeck. “They possess an inherent drive to be on the forefront of their sport. We are excited to see the impact they will have on our brand and ultimately the products that will result from their partnership.” Deane and Tabke join an impressive roaster of guides and athletes for Eddie Bauer, which include Zach and Reggie Crist, Andy Mahre, Lexi Dupont, Lel Tone and Lynsey Dyer. The team is excited about the new additions and future ski expeditions. Follow both athletes and all the action on Eddie Bauer’s Facebook page and on Instagram @eddiebauer.
