Gill Increases Support of US SAILING’s
USA Junior Olympic Sailing Program

Portsmouth, R.I. (January 31, 2007) – Gill North America, a long-time Technical Supplier of US SAILING’s USA Junior Olympic Sailing (JO) program, has increased its sponsorship of the popular youth development program. Under the new two-year agreement, Gill becomes Official Sponsor and Technical Apparel Sponsor of the program.

Through the multi-year partnership, Gill will provide support to the nearly 50 JO events scheduled to take place in 2007 and 2008 combined. Gill’s support of the program consists of several aspects, including financial support and the supply of high-quality products for each event. Since US SAILING created the USA Junior Olympic Sailing program in 1997, more than 32,000 youth sailors nationwide have participated in the program. Gill has been a dedicated supporter of the program since 2001.

“US SAILING’s JO program is the only nationally organized multi-event junior sailboat racing program of its kind in the country,” said US SAILING’s Marketing Director Dan Cooney. “Gill’s commitment to sailing is ‘for every age and for every stage.’ We couldn’t be more excited for Gill to have stepped up to a new level of support for this incredibly successful program.”

“Gill has enjoyed the partnership with US SAILING’s JO program for the last six years,” said Dave Pritchard, president of Gill North America. “Our company supports sailors at all levels of the sport with its high-quality gear and by reaching out to the youth sailors, we get to have a direct impact on the growth of the sport.”

In addition to its support of the JO program, Gill is also the Exclusive Technical Apparel Supplier/Sponsor of the US Sailing Team.

About the USA Junior Olympic Sailing Program
The USA Junior Olympic Sailing (JO) program is organized by US SAILING, national governing body for the sport of sailing and sailboat racing. This year, more than 4,000 junior sailors will participate in 22 Junior Olympic events hosted by yacht clubs and community sailing organizations across the country. Since the program first began in 1997, more than 32,000 youth sailors have participated in the program. For more information about USA Junior Olympic Sailing, please visit www.ussailing.org/youth/racing/jo.  

About Gill North America
Gill North America (NA), with headquarters near Atlanta, Ga., is the distributor for the Gill brand in North America. Gill is a leader and innovator in the worldwide marine industry for over three decades and specializes in high tech, breathable waterproof
clothing. Gill NA markets a variety of performance-oriented, award-winning apparel and accessories for virtually every type of boating activity with product lines that include foul weather gear; interactive layering systems; footwear; gloves; yachting watches; bags; junior gear; scholastic gear and team wear. For more information, visit www.gillna.com.

About US SAILING
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING) is the national governing body for sailing and sailboat racing. Headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the organization’s mission is to encourage participation and promote excellence in sailing and racing 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.  

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