L.L.Bean announced a multi-year partnership with the most successful U.S. cross-country skier in history, Kikkan Randall. A World Champion and two-time World Cup sprint title winner, Randall will work with L.L.Bean, testing products in her native Alaska, providing advice and insights on new designs, as well as serve as a brand ambassador making appearances on behalf of L.L.Bean.
Randall is a widely recognized as the face of cross-country skiing in the United States and is considered a global ambassador for her sport, serving as a respected athlete representative for the International Federation of Skiing (FIS). In addition to her decorated competitive career, Randall is a proponent for leading a healthy and active lifestyle, and enjoys biking, running, hiking, backcountry skiing and other outdoor activities.
“Kikkan and L.L.Bean share many of the same values a love and reverence of the outdoors as well as a passion to inspire others, especially youth, to enjoy the outdoors,” said Steve Fuller, L.L.Bean Chief Marketing Officer. “She will be a great brand ambassador around the world, both for the Bean brand as well as outdoor activities.”
With L.L.Bean having celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012, the company focused efforts on creating events and activities that encourage young people to participate and enjoy outdoor sports, something that Randall aims to do every day. A self-described “get-activist,” Randall is the president of Fast and Female, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to empowering girls aged 9-19 through the participation in sports and outdoor activities.
“Born and raised in Alaska, I’ve been an outdoor junkie my entire life and have been using L.L.Bean products since I was a kid, so I am excited to have the opportunity to work with them in a design and product development role,” said Randall. “Alaska is similar to Maine in the sense that the outdoor opportunities that are available to us are endless. With that comes the need for quality products to take part in sports like skiing, hiking, biking and running, and L.L. Bean has been a staple of the outdoor sports world for over 100 years.”
The partnership between L.L. Bean and Randall will include support of Fast and Female which she hopes to continue to grow every year.
A 17-time U.S. National Champion, 2013 World Champion and two-time World Cup sprint title winner, Kikkan Randall is one of the most successful U.S. cross-country skiers in history. She is the first American woman to win a World Cup, a medal at the World Championships (2009), a World Championship (2013 with teammate Jessie Diggins) as well as a World Cup discipline title (sprint in 2012 and 2013). A self-described “get activist”, Randall is the President of Fast and Female USA, a non-profit organization the works to empower girls through the participation in outdoor sports. A native of Alaska, Randall’s sponsors include: L.L.Bean, BP, Kelloggs, Alaska Seafoods, Subway of Alaska, Rudy Project, Fischer, Salomon and Swix. Randall is represented by Octagon.
