HighGear has inked an agreement with the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) to become an official supplier of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team. The two-year agreement gives HighGear exclusive worldwide sponsorship in the sports instrument category, and calls for HighGear to produce electronic watches, altimeters and heart rate monitors for the team whose training program requires accurate and user-friendly sports instruments.

“We are very excited to have HighGear as an official supplier and licensee to the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team,” said Ted Morris, USSA vice president of sales and marketing. This partnership will assist our coaches and sports science staff by providing them with tools needed to track athletes’ fitness levels and progress while training. In addition, it will help generate funds for the Team through retail sales that support our training and competition programs.”

The partnership coincides with HighGear’s entrance into the winter sports market this fall/winter. HighGear will introduce two ski/snowboard watches in early 2005, the “Alterra” and the “Aerial,” which measure speed, real-time accumulated descent values and total number of runs. Additionally, the company’s first altimeter watch with ECG accurate heart rate monitor, the “Loft,” will be introduced to consumers this fall. All three new products will be put through rigorous testing by USSA’s sports science staff and will carry the Team logo.

“We are thrilled to be able to partner with the USSA and add to the invaluable support they provide to the many talented young athletes with an Olympic dream,” says Mike Hosey, president of HighGear. “The highly credible endorsement of our products by the USSA athletes, trainers and coaches will help to validate our position in the industry and in the mind of consumers.”