Posted by Mark
on 2/19/2002, 6:13 pm
The 2002 season has been crazy for me. Coming into the season I was placed in the biggest amateur mogul event of my life, U.S. Selections where I ripped it pretty good and qualified for equally large contests, the Nor-Ams. I skied one Nor-Am, the first one, at Snowbird and laid down one conservative run that put me in 24th. Knowing that I had miracles to perform to keep Predator online, I bailed on the remaining Nor-Ams, and set out to prepare for sales at SIA Vegas, and regional trade shows.
What I've learned during those adventures is that only certain people are noticing us. I had figured that with the right product and image at trade shows, the buyers would find us and buy. That is the case for the few core shops that have buyers who still rip it up and stay in touch with the action. The vast majority of the buyers look like they're b-lining it to the Bogner booth with blinders on! They don't even see us. At that point, I realize that in the big picture, our core image, based on both executives competing in mogul and freeride competitions, is fairly worthless in the trade-show scene. Old relationships outweight hot new lines far too freqently for my taste, though I am a bit biased.
Where do we go from here? We keep chargin'. It's in our blood, and no one said it would be easy. Look for Predator turning up in cool ski and board shops near you as we struggle to bridge gaps in this newschool/oldschool grudge match.
I am pleased to announce that Predator appeared in the Olympic mogul events on several occasions. U.S. Team members, Travis Cabral and Brady Johnson, shedded their appointed Marker pants and dawned Predator peregrine cargo pants for their rippin' foreruns at the men's event, while a Swiss customer turned out to be Christian Stohr, an Olympian, and ripped his run! I was highly amused as I watched the camera close-up of the stinger evolution knees on the Olympic Jumbotrons. The four french mogul coaches were rockin' the red kauai and navy mantis jackets and made television every time a french skier was in the gate or finish area. Look for that during Richard Gay's podium run.
In addition, I was warmed by the site of friends, Olympians who have rocked Predator in the past, but forced to dawn Phenix for the FIS events. The list was deep. Predator riders included, Hannah Hardaway, Travis Mayer, and Ann Battelle, all of whom ripped it hard and honored the U.S.A.
Special congratulations to Janne Lahtela, Travis Mayer, Jonny Moseley, and Shannon Bahrke, who brought great joy to their fans on their big day. Smokin'!
New stores that will carry 2003 Predator include: Base at Vail, Bootdoctors in Telluride, Vertical Sports in South Tahoe, a new Australian distributor, and I am proud to announce that former world champion, and current French head mogul coach, Eric Berthon, will be distributing Predator in France and eventually through Europe. We are looking forward to dealing with Eric, a legend.
I would like to apologize to anyone who experiece difficulties with Predator as we hit the Olympics and trade shows. The company picked up and hit the road, leaving the voicemail on and infrequently occupied office behind. Thanks for bearing with us.
Love is the answer, and the love burns strong. Predator will rise with the heat of that fire and the vapors rising off our quads and up through our fleece linings as we attack fields of moguls and massive kickers.
-kendrick-
Message Thread:
« Back to thread