U.S. Alpine Ski Team Wears Race Suits to Raise Awareness About Climate Change
Climate change is a stark reality for snow sports professionals
Image: shutterhold, Adobe Stock
In a partnership between U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Kappa and Protect Our Winters (POW), the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team will wear climate change-themed ski suits during the 2023 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships in Meribel-Courchevel, France Feb. 6-19, 2023.
The suits, designed by Kappa, feature climate change-based imagery such as large chunks of icebergs sailing in the ocean and a Protect Our Winters logo. The suits were made in Italy with 100 percent Italian fabrics in a factory certified in terms of environmental sustainability. Kappa is not a brand known for their sustainability practices. In fact, they are rated ‘We Avoid’ by the website Good on You, but hopefully this collaboration is a sign of upcoming environmental initiatives for the brand.
“Although a race suit is not solving climate change, it is a move to continue the conversation and show that U.S Ski & Snowboard and its athletes are committed to being a part of the future, ” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. Based on the number of headlines the partnership has garnered, the conversation is getting some attention at a time where the climate crisis is becoming a stark reality for skiers. “We’ve had so many canceled races this year so it's definitely happening in real time as we speak,” said Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team racer Travis Ganong. The suits will be sold at auction after the World Championships with proceeds going to POW.
Designed by our apparel partner Kappa and with @ProtectWinters, we put together a race suit for the alpine World Champs designed to bring attention to climate change. pic.twitter.com/xx7jOzP5hU
— U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team (@usskiteam) February 6, 2023
