US SAILING NAMES EXTRASPORT AS SPONSOR OF US SAILING TEAMS

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (May 24, 2005) – US SAILING, national governing body for the sport, has announced that Extrasport, the well-known manufacturer of lifejackets, has been named the Official Personal Flotation Device Sponsor of the US Sailing Team, the US Disabled Sailing Team, and the US Youth World Team. Under the multi-year agreement, which runs through 2009, Team-members will receive an Extrasport lifejacket.

"Extrasport has been a proud US Sailing Team supplier for several years and it has been a valuable partnership for us,” said Greg Enos, Extrasport Brand Manager. “Thanks to feedback we’ve received from the members of the Team over the years, we’ve been able to continue to create the highest quality safety gear. In return, we’re proud to supply the best sailors in the country with our best products.”

According to Dean Brenner, Chairman of US SAILING’s Olympic Sailing Committee, the renewed partnership acknowledges Extrasport’s long-time support of competitive sailing. "It’s important our sailors can compete on the water with the best safety gear on the market and Extrasport is able to supply our best athletes with exactly that."

About the US Sailing Team
Created in 1986, the US Sailing Team recruits and develops athletes for upcoming Olympiads. It annually distinguishes the top-five ranked sailors in each of the classes chosen for Olympic competition. The US Disabled Sailing Team, created in 1998 to develop athletes for Paralympic competition, annually recognizes the top-three ranked sailors in the Paralympic disciplines. The US Youth World Team is selected annually to represent the U.S. at the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Youth Sailing World Championships.

About Extrasport
Extrasport has been manufacturing sport specific life vests for 30 years and has led the way in innovative designs allowing athletes to perform with maximum freedom of movement while competing and training safely. Extrasport is part of the Johnson Outdoors family of innovative, market-leading brands. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of top quality products for the global marketplace across four categories: Watercraft, Marine Electronics, Diving and Outdoor Equipment. Johnson Outdoors' other familiar brands include, among others: Ocean Kayak, Necky Kayaks, Old Town Canoes, Old Town Kayaks, Extrasport, Minn Kota motors, Humminbird fish finders, SCUBAPRO dive equipment and Eureka! tents. For more information on Extrasport products, please visit www.extrasport.com.  

About US SAILING
The US Sailing Team is managed by US SAILING, national governing body of the sport. Headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US SAILING’s mission is to encourage participation and promote excellence in sailing in the U.S. US SAILING offers training and education programs, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including the US Sailing Teams and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Teams. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.  

-End-