Iditarod Teams Benefit from Northern Outfitters Sponsorship

March 2, 2010 - PRLog -- Why does a small, hi-tech clothing company choose to sponsor a dozen of the world’s top sled dog teams?  In part, it’s due to the top-quality athletes found in the mushing world, explained Jim Harrison, owner of Northern Outfitters.

“A race like the Iditarod gives my company access to unmatched athletes who are up against the worst, extreme, bitter cold, wet, harsh weather conditions,” he explained.  “Where on Earth could I find a better way to test my product line?”  Northern Outfitters makes rugged parkas, snow pants, boots, mittens and other winter clothing insulated with Vaetrex, a patented super-insulating material that also transports moisture away from the body.

He went on to point out that the Iditarod athletes are not all two-legged.  “I can’t say enough about the dogs who run in these races.  While they don’t wear Northern Outfitters parkas, mushers who aren’t worrying about the cold weather are more free to closely monitor their dogsled team and to make adjustments as necessary,” he explained.  “These are very well cared for and happy dogs.”

Northern Outfitters is sponsoring twelve teams in the 2010 Iditarod:  Martin Buser, Hans Gatt, Paul Gebhardt, Sven Haltmann, Matt Hayashida, DeeDee Jonrowe, Wattie McDonald, Allen Moore, John Stewart, Tom Thurston, Scott White, and last but certainly not least, Aliy Zirkle.

The 2010 Iditarod race starts in earnest Sunday, March 7 from Willow, Alaska. The week of March 1-7 is filled with pre-race festivities including the ceremonial race start from Anchorage on March 6.

“This is an extreme sport that requires extreme gear,” Harrison said.  He cited this year’s Yukon Quest race where Northern Outfitters sponsored four of the winning teams:  Hans Gatt won the 1000-mile main race in record time, and the top three winners of the shorter Yukon Quest 300 were Sven Haltmann, Magnus Kaltenborn and Sean Williams, also all Northern Outfitters Pro Staffers.

“World class mushers know you can't win a 1,112 mile race over some of the most extreme country and extreme temperatures on the planet if you’re cold,” Harrison said.  “In reality, they put their lives in the hands of Northern Outfitters’ extreme cold weather systems, primairly the complete Arctic system at http://northernoutfitters.com/p-43-9-piece-arctic-system....”

“Our lightweight, ultra-warm parkas, boots and snow pants will keep anyone warm, whether you're a world-class musher or a weekend snowmobiler or skier,” he said.  “And with our complete Arctic systems priced at about $1,000, the best cold weather clothing in the world is available to almost anyone.”  One example of such a system is the waterproof system at http://northernoutfitters.com/p-44-10-piece-exp-waterproo....  

Northern Outfitters' full line of cold weather gear is available at http://NorthernOutfitters.com.

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About Northern Outfitters: Find parkas, snow pants, boots, mittens and other cold weather gear sold exclusively at Northern Outfitters’ website, http://northernoutfitters.com. The parka insulation, patented by Northern Outfitters, has been scientifically proven the best in heat retention, moisture wicking and wind chill resistance when compared with other winter clothing.