Biathlon is the number one Watched Sport in Europe! Minnesota Biathlon Olympic Development Team Sponsorship 2005.2006 Bound For Torino w w w. m i n n e s o t a b i a t h l o n. c o m
Biathlon is a sport that captures the attention and imagination of everyone who sees it. In so many ways, it is a typical Olympic endeavor combining the most physically demanding sport of cross-country skiing with the intense precision of rifle marksmanship. These opposing disciplines collide at the shooting range. With hearts pounding nearly three times a second, athletes struggle to control their breathing as they shoot, knowing that every shot and the number of seconds it takes to make it, will determine who stands on the podium that day. It is this drama, combined with wonderful visual images of the competitors, which has lead biathlon to be the top rated winter sport on European TV. What is Biathlon? place finish at the World Jr. Championships and he ll be back again in 2005 along with a stronger, more experienced team. With 12 of 15 members of the 2004 U.S. World Junior Team coming from Minnesota, our athletes have been, and will continue to be the core of the U.S. team for years to come. US Biathletes are well respected on the international arena and have been producing strong results. Our Olympic Development Team is among the strongest in the world with numerous medals at World Junior Championships and European Cup. In 2004, Minnesota athlete Ben Byrne led the US team with his fourth What is Minnesota Biathlon About? Our Mission: We are an Olympic development program dedicated to: Providing the opportunity for young athletes to learn about the sport of biathlon and to provide them the coaching and support so they can make long term progress Recruiting and training athletes to compete at an international level Supporting our national caliber athletes in their efforts to compete with the best in the world Promoting the sport of biathlon and cross country skiing through events, media, and programs Developing new biathlon programs and facilities around the country. Sponsor the Minnesota Biathlon Olympic Development Team and help these dedicated athletes face the challenge of biathlon with the support they need to win!
Why Sponsor The Minnesota Biathlon Olympic Development Program? Who: Young athletes aspiring to be the best cross-country skier / rifle marksmen in the United States What: Training & competing to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team at the U.S. Trials in Ft Kent Maine in January 2006. Also to win medals at the World Junior Championships in Fort Kent, Maine in January 2006, and the 2006 Olympics, February 2006, Torino, Italy. Where: Programs are based in Duluth, Twin Cities, Ely, Grand Rapids, Brainerd, and St.Cloud, and training sites in West Yellowstone, Mt, and Park City, Utah. When: Champions are athletes 24 hours a day 7 days a week Why: Biathlon is one of the toughest Olympic sports and if you can do it, you can do anything No American has ever won an Olympic medal in biathlon Challenge is good for the soul The hard work and discipline required of a successful biathlete are life lessons that transcend sport Why are these great marketing opportunities? These events bring attention and dollars into the Upper Midwest, and are a celebration of winter and winter sport. These events are a great showcase for sponsors for a number of reasons: Biathlon and Cross Country Skiing are sports with (a) clean reputations - athletes are clean cut, modest, and well spoken. Biathletes and Cross country skiers are in it for the love of the sport, not the big dollar contracts and endorsements. Minnesota is home to a number of biathlon and cross country skiing Olympians who will be competing at the Junior World Championships, U.S. Olympic Trials, and hopefully the Olympic Games. Cross country ski racing is a lifetime sport and is a very family oriented activity. All Minnesota Biathlon race venues, Elk River, Duluth, St Cloud, and Mt. Itasca, have been developed and maintained by local volunteers. These volunteer operations host major events to promote biathlon and cross country skiing, as well as to bring people to their communities. C Skier Demographics: Minnesota has the biggest xc skiing high school league in the nation, with over 80 high school programs. Gender Participation runs 50/50 60% of Americas 6.6 million cross country skiers are between 35-54. Average age is 38. Junior skiers (age 14-20) are the future of our sport. Juniors also grant sponsors a great entry into the lives and lifestyles of active and affluent families nation-wide, not to mention that they are grand consumers in their own right. Masters Skiers (age 35+) identify with athletes that juggle families, full time careers and active outdoor lifestyles. Average cross country skier earns $52,000 per year. More than 70% of America s cross country skiers earn incomes exceeding $35,000 Education: 82% attended college 40% post graduate education 43% of America s Cross country skiers have children 61% are married 78% own personal computers 500,000 C skiers in Minnesota/ Wisconsin.
Events and opportunities International Event Sponsorship: World Junior Biathlon Championships Presque Isle, ME January 30-February 5, 2006 The World Junior Biathlon Championships brings together the very best Junior (age 19-20) and Youth (age 17-18) biathlon competitors from 30 countries. This event will mark the first time in their 39 year history that these championships will be held in the United States. Organizers are expecting hundreds of the top athletes from around the world, and their support staff to descend on Aroostook County, Maine for the twoweek event. Thousands of spectators will also be on hand. The World Junior Biathlon Championships will be televised in the U.S. on Outdoor Life Network as a part of the 12 week Biathlon World Cup series. World Junior Championships will also be distributed in Europe by the European Broadcast Union and will be televised in Germany, Sweden and Norway, as well as other European countries. national Event Sponsorship: World Junior Trials and North American Cup December 17-20, 2005 Mt. Itasca, Minnesota The World Junior Trials/North American Cup will bring together the top North American biathletes as they prepare for the Olympic Trials in the U.S. and Canada. This event will chose the teams for the U.S. and Canadian World Junior Championship Teams (ages 17-20), and provide a tune up event for the senior competitors (age 21 and up) who will be in final preparation for the Olympic Trials in January. Mt Itasca is one of the most popular, as well as the toughest, biathlon venues in North America, and was designed specifically to maximize spectator viewing of the races. This will be the 4th time that Mt. Itasca has hosted the World Junior Biathlon Trials/North American Cup. Minnesota Olympic Development Team athletes have dominated the ranks of the US Junior team over the last 10 years, so local interest in this event is high.
Olympic Development Team Training and Competition Schedule May-June Mt. Itasca Training June 25-July 2 Altitude Camp, Park City, UT July 5-July 30 Mt. Itasca Training July 30-Aug 7 Testing Camp, Olympic Training Center, Lake Placid, NY Aug 8-Aug 14 Summer Race Festival, Ethan Allen Firing Range, Jericho, VT Sept 5-20 Oct 18-20 Altitude Camp, Park City, UT Fall Race Festival, Camp Ripley, Little Falls, MN Nov 18-Dec 5 On Snow Camp, West Yellowstone, MT Dec 10-11 Dec 17-20 North American Cup, Canmore, Alberta World Junior Trials/NorAm Cup, Mt Itasca, MN Dec 27-Jan 1 Olympic Trials, Fort Kent, ME Jan 15-Jan 25 Preparation Camp, Presque Isle, ME Jan 26-Feb 5 World Junior Championships, Presque Isle, ME Feb 10-27, 2006 Olympic Games, Torino, Italy w w w. m i n n e s o t a b i a t h l o n. c o m
Sponsorship Visibility Visibility on the course: Ski and Rifle Markings: Sponsor logo applied to competitor s equipment for ski control and visibility Racing Bibs: Logo and name featured on Race Bib - this is the most visible area for sponsor logos Race Course: Banners on course fencing, at start/ finish area and at shooting range Announcing: Name featured during race by announcer and on radio and TV reports Visibility off the course: Podium Backdrop: Banner space at podium, postrace awards, interview and banquet Official Documents: Logo and name featured in press releases, poster, spectator guide and website Spokespeople: Athletes and Coaches available for trade shows, corporate events, and speaking engagements. Biathlon is a sport with a clean reputation - athletes are clean cut, modest, and well spoken. Promotional: Use of relationship, logo and imagery for individual sponsor promotion VIP Access: VIP lounge, mingle with international coaches and athletes
Sponsorship packages World Junior Trials - Mt Itasca, MN Event Title and Minnesota Olympic Minnesota Olympic Development Team - Team Sponsor Development Team Sponsorship Cost $80,000 $70,000 On the course Racing Bib Ski Marking / Rifle Marking - Sponsor logo stamp or sticker applied to all competitors skis and rifles On Course Banners Start / Finish Area - Stadium Banners Announcing Event Podium Backdrop Title TV, radio, newsprint, sponsor name included in event name Official Documents: Event Press Releases and Publication Event Poster, Program, T-shirt, Website, Provide spokespeople- Athletes and coaches provided for sponsor events (eg, trade show) Team Clothing Norweigan Style Team Sweater- 2 team sweaters will be presented to sponsor at special event Norweigan Style Team Sweater- 2 team sweaters will be presented to sponsor at special event Dev Team Photos and letter of Appreciation Image Rights- Use of athletes and coaches images in a a manner agreed upon by both parties Promote- relationship between sponsor and Dev Team at all times Off the course High Res JPEG Images- will be provided for marketing opportunities Opportunity to Ski with Dev Team in W. Yellowstone Training Camp VIP Access in Jr World Trials VIP Access at World Junior Champs w w w. m i n n e s o t a b i a t h l o n. c o m
Please Contact: Piotr Bednarski Director Minnesota Olympic Development Team 5032 28th St. St Louis Park, MN 55416 952.924.0381 mnbiathlon@aol.com Angus MacGreigor Assistant Coach and Marketing Director Minnesota Olympic Development Team PO Box 518 Park City, Utah 84060 Cell 360.303.6535 Altius2006@yahoo.com www.minnesotabiathlon.com
Biathlon is the number one Watched Sport in Europe! Minnesota Biathlon Olympic Development Team Sponsorship 2005.2006 Bound For Torino w w w. m i n n e s o t a b i a t h l o n. c o m