SKINS News and Events - US

SKINS Announces Partnership with Ironman World Champion Leanda Cave

Johnny West — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 08:00:00 GMT

SKINS is proud to announce its official partnership with professional triathlete, Leanda Cave. As the first female athlete to win both Ironman and Half-Ironman world titles in the same year (2012), SKINS is thrilled to provide Cave with the latest technology-driven compression garments as she embarks on her journey to defend both of her 2012 titles in Las Vegas, NV. and Kona, HI.

“I have used SKINS’ product for as long as I can remember. At the level I compete, I need to be able to rely on gear that helps me perform at my very best. SKINS does just that and also offers an added bonus of enhancing my recovery through its gradient compression technology,” said Leanda Cave, 2012 Ironman and Half-Ironman World Champion. “The make-up of SKINS products is of such high quality that they have become an essential part of my training and recovery. They allow my body to compete at equally optimum levels for all three sports: swimming, cycling and running.”

SKINS Chairman Jaimie Fuller commented that, “We truly believe this partnership with an elite athlete, such as Leanda, showcases everything that SKINS stands for: helping athletes perform at their very best. Leanda respects the true spirit of competition and her determined views against doping go hand-in-hand with the SKINS brand philosophy. Leanda is well-known for having one of the best swim/bike one-two punches, and her improving run makes her a serious competitor at any distance. This continued career success coupled with her strength, determination and passion for her sport makes her the ideal ambassador for our brand.”

The British-born athlete, who began her triathlon career in 1994, landed a silver medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, a silver medal at the European Championships and a “World Champion” title in Mexico, all in the same year. In 2006, Cave made the leap from her typical 32-mile Olympic triathlon distance to the 70.3-mile half Ironman distance and 140.6-mile full Ironman distance. Since, Cave has taken home accolades, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) short course World Champion, ITU long course World Champion and third place in the 2011 Ironman World Championships. Cave’s next feat is her season-debut at the Escape from Alcatraz on March 3.

SKINS compression wear is designed to help athletes reach their peak performance with products developed for specific sports and levels of activity. Whatever the sport, SKINS allows athletes to train harder, compete longer and recover faster.

For more information on Leanda Cave, check out: www.LeandaCave.com

SKINS Named Official Recovery Sponsor of Four Top-Ranked NHL Teams

Johnny West — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 09:48:34 GMT

SKINS, the leading gradient compression sportswear company, is proud to announce it has been selected as the “Official Recovery Compression” brand of the National Hockey League’s leading West Conference teams: San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, St. Louis Blues and the Dallas Stars.

The full roster of each team was custom-fit with SKINS RY400 recovery compression equipment designed specifically to accelerate muscle repair and reduce fatigue. Emerging from a four-month lockout without regular practice and intense training, speed of recovery between games and injury prevention can make the difference given the strenuous back-to-back NHL post-lockout 48-game schedule. The Sharks (#2), Blues (#4), Ducks (#5), and Stars (#10) have rebounded successfully from the lockout, clinching top ten spots in the Western Conference rankings thus far.

“With the accelerated schedule and increased travel of this lock out season, we have less time to recover between games,” said Mike Hannegan, Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Anaheim Ducks. “SKINS helps us recover and be ready for the next game in shorter time.”

Designed to help reduce exercise induced muscle damage, the SKINS RY400 product range will help the athletes quickly bounce back to their maximum, regular-season level of performance. SKINS compression clothing works by increasing circulation, accelerating the delivery of oxygen to muscles and improving the lactate shuttle. Unlike its A400 range designed for active use, SKINS RY400 product line is designed specifically to apply the compression needs of muscles in the passive, rebuilding state. The gradient compression in SKINS performance apparel will be key to maintaining the players’ stamina, active recovery time and overall top-level performance throughout this year’s highly-aggressive training program and travel schedule by helping them recover faster while preventing injury.

“The SKINS recovery products are essential for our players’ recovery and performance,” explained Brad Jellis, Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Dallas Stars. “With our demanding game and travel schedule, SKINS allow players to recover quicker and be at their best for the next competition.”

SKINS signs up world cup alpine ski racer Tina Weirather

Mirjam Fluehler — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 10:35:00 GMT

SKINS is the official compression partner of world cup alpine ski racer Tina Weirather. The agreement sees SKINS to supply her with performance enhancing compression garments until and including the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

Image: Getty Images

The talented 24-year-old athlete from Liechtenstein has competed on the World Cup circuit since 2005. With four cruciate ligament ruptures she had bad luck in her career. But Weirather is a real fighter. Thanks to her hard work she has achieved a successful comeback during last season. With five World Cup podiums in 2012, Weirather had her best season to date, and finished second in the downhill and ninth in the overall season standings. SKINS, the pioneering Australian compression sportswear brand, acknowledges such big efforts and is very proud to support Weirather with the latest technology-driven compression garments.

SKINS products have been designed to compress muscle groups to trigger acceleration in blood flow, which means that the teams will be getting increased oxygen to their working muscles - resulting in an enhanced performance whilst in training and speed up recovery after training and competition. SKINS clothing is endorsed by the Australian Physiotherapy Association and is unique in the market because its products are body mapped to compress certain muscles with varying degrees of pressure.

SKINS supports women’s cycling with Wiggle Honda

Mirjam Fluehler — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 07:35:00 GMT

In 2013, SKINS will support women’s cycling by supplying Wiggle Honda with its gradient compression clothing for training and recovery.

Jaimie Fuller, SKINS Chairman said: “We believe that women’s cycling is completely under valued by the cycling governing body, the UCI. Women’s cycling deserves attention and Wiggle Honda as a brand partner with SKINS will champion the true spirit of competition. This is the stuff that gets our blood racing. Whilst the sport of cycling suffers from some very real challenges, women’s cycling and in particular, Wiggle Honda, are looking to make positive changes in how the sport is conducted. The team is doing this by publicly supporting and promoting the principles of Bike Pure and establishing a sustainable environment for the riders whereby they can achieve real and clean results. SKINS wants to supports these efforts and do what it can to bring about positive change.

We recognise that the outcome of cycling’s forthcoming independent review process will determine our future involvement in the sport but this 12-month agreement with Wiggle Honda, confirms our ongoing commitment to those who share our values.”

Wiggle Honda is delighted with the new agreement with SKINS and Team Manager Rochelle Gilmore said: “Women’s cycling is a grueling sport. The conditions of training and racing take a toll on the body. It is vital for success for the riders to focus on recovery. In a sport where accumulated marginal gains bring success, we rely upon SKINS compression clothing to significantly aid faster muscle recovery which is a vital factor during competition, long tours and training camps.

Lotto Belisol cycling to use SKINS compression equipment

Mirjam Fluehler — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:25:32 GMT

As an existing official partner of the Belgian professional cycling team Lotto Belisol, compression sportswear brand SKINS will be continuing its support of the team’s pro cyclists in 2013.

The arrangement means the Lotto Belisol men’s team, the women’s professional team and the U23 team will be able to train in the latest technology-driven compression garments.

Lotto Belisol is delighted with the new agreement with SKINS and General Manager Bill Olivier said: “This sponsorship will provide our riders at all levels with cutting edge compression sportswear, helping improve performance and recovery. Importantly, the SKINS research shows that their compression wear significantly aids muscle recovery which is a vital factor during competition, during road tours and during long training campaigns.”

Christian Gut, Global Marketing & Category Director at SKINS said: “We are sure the partnership will be mutually beneficial as we both strive for excellence. We are really excited about the opportunity of working together. SKINS is one of the best kept secrets in sports – the garments incorporate innovative technology and we are looking forward to helping the Lotto Belisol teams to further improve their already impressive results with the use of SKINS.”

Jaimie Fuller, SKINS Chairman said: “SKINS sponsorship of Lotto Belisol reinforces our desire to stay in Cycling. We understand that cycling is undergoing some very real challenges in light of the doping revelations, the Lance Armstrong affair and the alleged involvement of the UCI but SKINS believes in the true spirit of competition and integrity in sport and as such we are doing whatever we can to help effect positive change in cycling. The outcome of cycling’s forthcoming independent review process will determine our future involvement but this 12-month agreement with Lotto Belisol, confirms our ongoing commitment to those who share our values. It truly reflects our belief that the sport itself has a great future, as long as we can provide a foundation for positive change.”

Ski Austria athletes fly high with exclusive SKINS compression all-in-one suits

Kezia Everson — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:11:22 GMT

SKINS, the pioneering Australian compression sportswear brand, continues its official partnership with the Austrian Ski Federation this winter season. The agreement sees SKINS continuing to supply performance enhancing compression garments to the Ski-Jumping team and the Nordic Combined teams up until and including the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

The Austrian national Ski-Jumping team have been using a specially designed, made to measure SKINS all-in-one compression suit under their ski-jumping suits since 2009. Alexander Pointner, head Ski Austria ski-jumping coach, comments that these suits “have one of those little advantages that decide medals at the Olympic Games”. Pointner says, “We always strive to improve ourselves in every detail. With SKINS, we have found a partner with a technology that we can positively apply in a number of areas”.

The Ski-Jumping Team in their SKINS suits

The Nordic Combined Team in their SKINS suits

The SKINS Research & Development team works closely with the athletes to trial new technologies and as a result, the all-in-one-suits are constantly evolving. For the 2012/13 Winter season, unique fabric panels have been introduced in key areas to reduce friction between the SKINS garment and the outer layer jumpsuits. Athletes are also currently wear-testing the next generation of suits for the 2014 Olympics.

Since the partnership with SKINS began, at the beginning of the 2009/10 winter season, the Austrian Ski-Jumping team have competed with consistent success. The team won gold in the large hill team event at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Last season, the quartet of Thomas Morgenstern, Andreas Kofler, Gregor Schlierenzauer and Martin Koch flew into Gold medal position at the 2012 Ski Flying World Championships. The Austrians also dominated the events at the 60th Four Hills Tournament – Schlierenzauer was the overall winner, with Kofler taking 2nd place and Morgenstern 3rd overall.

“Ski-Jumping and Nordic Combined disciplines are highly technical, requiring heightened proprioception and explosive muscle performance,” says Christian Gut, Global Marketing & Category Director at SKINS. “Training for the events is equally demanding and recovery features heavily in their programme. The athletes are convinced of the benefits that the SKINS suits and garments provide during training, competition and recovery”.

Ski Austria’s Research & Development Director, Toni Giger said of the partnership, “For Ski Austria, it’s extremely important that the equipment our athletes use meets the highest possible standards of quality and innovation. SKINS is a flagship partner in this respect and is therefore instrumental in the successes of the Ski-Jumping and Nordic Combined teams”.

Rory McIlroy named PGA Player of the Year

Kezia Everson — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 09:23:52 GMT

Rory McIlroy has been announced as PGA player of the year. McIlroy finished the season with a total of four wins, including his eight-shot victory in the PGA Championship, and made a clean sweep of the biggest awards by winning the money title and having the lowest adjusted scoring average.

“It’s just a great way to end what has been a great year, my best season so far,” McIlroy said.

The 23-year-old from Northern Ireland became the youngest player to win PGA Tour player of the year since Tiger Woods at age 21 in 1997. He also was the third European to win in the last five years, joining Padraig Harington from Ireland in 2008 and Luke Donald of England last year.

After his eight-shot win at Kiawah, Rory went on to win the Deutsche Bank Championship, and then the next playoff event in the BMW Championship.

McIlroy’s first win came earlier in the year, when he held off Woods to win the Honda Classic, which took him to No. 1 in the world for the first time. McIlroy went to No. 1 three more times during an inconsistent summer until he established himself as the best in golf at the PGA Championship.

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, who introduced McIlroy, was as impressed with his behavior off the course as his skill level inside the ropes.

“He has handled himself in terrific fashion,” Finchem said. “He has been very direct with the media and entertaining to the fans inside and outside the ropes. He is at a very young age already making a very solid contribution to what is the most important asset of the PGA Tour, and that is the image of its players. For that, I thank him.”

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and from January Rory McIlroy will no longer be an official SKINS ambassador.

David Ling, SKINS General Manager for the UK, said: “Having World Number One Rory McIlroy endorse our G400 range has given it a real seal of approval. We couldn’t have asked for a better ambassador to promote the products.”

“We will keep a close watch on Rory as his career progresses and wish him the very best for the next season.”

If you think SKINS is wrong to sue the UCI, read this.

Jaimie Fuller — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:13:54 GMT

Since we announced our legal action against cycling’s governing body on Sunday evening, the world has been a bit of a blur! Our decision to serve a demand on the UCI for damages of $2 million for alleged mismanagement of the sport in the lead up to the Lance Armstrong doping scandal has certainly grabbed attention. I’m very grateful for the huge support we’ve had for our stand from customers, cycling fans and also officials from all areas of the sport, as well as fans of other sports who feel as passionately as we do about the true spirit of competition, and the duties and obligations that governing bodies have.

There has been some negativity and I’m not too proud to admit that some have seen our action as cynical and opportunistic. I’ve had messages criticising us – and me personally – for what they see as a brazen attempt to gain publicity and to make money out of cycling’s current crisis. So I want to make our position absolutely clear.

Any financial gain that SKINS may be awarded from a successful lawsuit against the UCI will be put straight back into clean cycling.

Now, that’s not a promise I’m making retrospectively because I’m shocked and hurt by the reaction of a few accusers. I’ve made our intentions in that regard perfectly clear in media interviews since the announcement, so it’s already ‘on the record’ so to speak. Dissenting voices were to be expected. We all know that any definitive statement of intent will always attract criticism and I’d be mad to think a commercial organisation such as ours would get a 100% approval rating. But, fortunately, I’m not as daft as I look. Ironically, one satisfying aspect to the negative messages has been the dialogue I’ve subsequently had with the senders. I have replied personally to every email that we received on the topic and when I explained the reasons I’ve outlined here, I can honestly say that the majority of correspondents have said they understood where I was coming from and better understand our actions. I have absolutely no interest in SKINS landing a commercial windfall from this action. As Chairman of a company that has invested in cycling, I simply want the sport to be governed the way it should be and led by credible, honourable people who can be trusted to clean it up. It really is as simple as that.

Overwhelmingly, the reaction has been supportive. Not necessarily for us as a company, but for the general demand for overhaul within the UCI. It just so happens that with no-one else apparently willing to step forward, we’re the ones who’ve led it. From the responses I’ve had, it’s clear that people who’ve followed the Lance Armstrong affair, want to see change at the top of the UCI. Since USADA presented their report, we at SKINS have actively challenged the UCI’s handling of the process, questioned their faltering responses to the evidence and criticised their feeble leadership during what is now obvious was years of systemic cheating across the sport. Some sponsors have announced their withdrawal, others have demanded the return of bonus payments or prize money, but no-one amongst the corporate partners took up the baton to challenge the ability of the UCI to govern. At SKINS, we believe in the True Spirit of Competition and the UCI have presided over a regime that allowed, in fact one could argue, promoted cheats to prosper.

So far, they’ve prevaricated at every step of this saga and frankly, their announcement on their intentions for this much-vaunted independent commission fills me with dread. As I’ve said before, an independent commission must be just that – independent, and I don’t believe it can be under the current regime. But if the President and the Honorary President for Life were to give cycling a chance by accepting responsibility for the things that have happened on their watch and resign, then we’d all settle down and let new leaders with enthusiasm, credibility and vision, get on with it. As a sports company, we firmly believe in a principle of fair play and in this case, the UCI, which governs a sport we’re a part of, should be called to account for its actions – or lack of them – and for failing to uphold the concept.

So to the thousands who’ve applauded our stand, I say a massive ‘thank you’ for your support. We will continue to push for change – either alone or with any other like-minded organisation that wishes to join us. It won’t always make headline news but that’s not the point. Some people have written to tell me that despite being ‘loyal customers’ they’ll never buy another garment. You know what? That’s fine. I see it as a cost worth paying if it fuels the debate and is an agent for change. Even if I can’t persuade the doubters that our intentions are genuine, I can handle it. When athletes buy our product, we like to think they’re buying into our ethos of clean, true spirited competition.

It’s their choice. We’ve made ours.

Follow Jaimie Fuller on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaimiefuller

SKINS WINS 'BEST COMPRESSION BRAND' AWARD

Kezia Everson — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 08:00:00 GMT

We’re really proud to announce that UK based Running fitness magazine has named SKINS as the winner in the 'Best Compression Brand' category of the first ever Running Fitness Awards.

The Running fitness Awards were created to give recognition to the products, people, businesses and charities that make up this exciting market place.

"At Running fitness magazine, we’ve worked hard over the past five years to bring you all the latest products, shoes, apparel and gadgets that manufacturers have targeted towards runners. We’ve tried, tested, reviewed and rated each and every one of these. And now, the Running fitness Awards have been introduced to celebrate the best of the best".

A shortlist of nominations was drawn up by the editorial team, which was then published in the August 2012 issue of Running fitness. Readers were then invited to visit the magazine’s website to vote for their favourites.

The response was hugely encouraging, with over 1500 votes cast during the nomination period. The awards created a lot of buzz on various forums, blogs and social media, and the final results were published in the October 2012 issue.

The UCI. Why our hand has been forced into taking legal action.

Jaimie Fuller (Chairman, SKINS) — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 14:29:00 GMT

This weekend, Skins served a demand on the governing body of world cycling seeking damages of $2 million as a consequence of alleged mis-management in the Lance Armstrong doping scandal.

For more than 5 years, Skins has been a proud supporter of world cycling and has partnered with teams, riders and international cycling organisations across the world. As a company we have invested heavily into research and development to build a sports-specific product range aimed at those who participate at every level. We did all this while under the impression that cycling had been fundamentally reformed after the Festina affair in the ‘90’s and that co-ordinated management from the UCI to contain doping activity had minimised the risks and scandals with which the brand of any sponsor would be associated.

The events of the last several months or so have made it abundantly clear that world cycling has not been the sport the general public and the corporate partners thought it was. Consequently, as Chairman of a company that has made a significant financial and emotional investment, I am acting in order to send a message to the UCI and its senior office bearers that gross mis-management and betrayal of trust is completely unacceptable.

The recent report from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) which blew the lid off Lance Armstrong’s systematic control of widespread doping, proved that the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and its two leading figures, President Pat McQuaid and Honorary President For Life, Hein Verbruggen, have failed to eradicate cheating within the sport. In fact, Mr. McQuaid and Mr. Verbruggen refused to even acknowledge that the problem was so entrenched until USADA forced them into submission. In short, we say that the UCI, Mr. McQuaid and Mr. Verbruggen have failed us, the sport and the public who love cycling. We also believe the USADA revelations of widespread doping activity have raised wider, cultural issues within the UCI relating to an apparent inability to rid the sport of doping over an extended period of time.

Consequently, it is now clear that Skins’ financial and emotional investment into cycling has been damaged and our legitimate commercial expectations have been betrayed. If the public no longer have confidence that cycling is ‘clean’ they may question those who support its existence.

The UCI’s decision to uphold the USADA report and strip Lance Armstrong of his 7 Tour de France titles, was proof of their acceptance that he cheated in order to be successful. As a sponsor and commercial partner in the sport, and as a company that produces high performance sports compression wear off the back of cycling’s supposedly clean, vibrant and healthy image, our trust in those at the top has been crushed. Our credibility as a company that promotes true competition, fitness and overall health and wellbeing has been affected by our own promotion of its ‘virtues’.

In addition to sending out a message about our commercial position, it is important that organisations such as ours also look to the future and in taking this course of action I’m also advocating a path towards redemption. Let’s not just bleat about the core problem, let’s consider the wider solution.

The UCI has announced that it will invite an independent commission to investigate cycling’s obvious problems but the fact that it took another organisation’s report to force them into action (and greatly delayed action) is a disgraceful reflection of incompetence at best. It fills me with absolutely no confidence that the UCI is either capable of leading global rehabilitation or commissioning a suitably independent and unrestricted group to conduct the forensic enquiry the sport crucially requires. Those at the top have presided over the mess, so how can they possibly be given the responsibility of commissioning and overseeing its review?

Skins’ demand against the UCI sends out a serious corporate message that the support of partners and sponsors in any world sport cannot be abused and must be preserved by unimpeachable leadership. The unequivocal overhaul of cycling can only be achieved by a credible and capable governing body. In serving this action, Skins’ is also serving notice that the UCI is not currently the organisation that cycling needs it to be. For the last 22 years, there have been 2 people at the head of this organisation and we allege that they are directly responsible for the culture of denial within the UCI. It’s past time for change.

Photograph - Jaimie Fuller, SKINS Chairman: [JPG, 229kb]

Follow Jaimie Fuller on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaimiefuller

The English Football Association and another case of racism. This time it’s the REF who’s on trial...

Jaimie Fuller — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 09:20:08 GMT

When I saw that English Premier League club Chelsea had made a formal complaint against a referee for using “inappropriate language” towards two of their players, I’ll admit I thought it was a bit rich. After all, supporters and TV viewers the world over see footballers abusing referees on a regular basis. A ref makes a decision, a player disagrees and then lets rip. Most of the time you don’t have to be a skilled lip reader to know what’s being said with close ups and slow motion repeats. My basic view has always been; “Don’t give it, if you can’t take it”, so, why have Chelsea got so touchy all of a sudden?

I soon realised this is a far more complicated issue than just a referee apparently speaking out of turn. For starters, there are allegations of racist remarks being made by the ref in question, Mark Clattenburg. If proven, that’s a whole new ball game. Whatever pressure a referee or umpire is under, that type of response is unforgivable. In fact, it’s unforgivable in ANY walk of life.

But, the situation brings up some important questions about morality in sport. I hate seeing the regular mistreatment or verbal abuse of referees or umpires. For me, it boils down to a lack of basic social responsibility. As a parent, I don’t want my children to be fed a TV diet that effectively says: “It’s OK kids, you can say what you like to whosoever you like. Go on, give it a try!” I know nobody actually says that, but you get my point...

Kids copy their heroes, and high profile sports men and women (including referees) are amongst those individuals who must accept the responsibilities that accompany the trappings of their profile and success. But instead of accepting their moral responsibility, some (not all) appear happy to flout it.

So is there a direct correlation between the substantial rewards players get at the top level these days and an apparent rise in issues with officials to the point where there is almost a breakdown in the relationship?

Before you say “yes” I’d ask you to consider Rugby Union as an alternative example. In a generation, international players have gone from unpaid part-time battlers to elite professional athletes but they still retain respect. Why is it that a six feet five inch second row forward, when confronted by a diminutive referee who can do nothing but stare at the player’s naval, is still disciplined enough to call him; “Sir”?

The ref is miked up, he’s giving some gargantuan lump of muscle and sweat a right ear-bashing and all you hear back on the mike is; “Yes sir, no sir”. In one way the sight of Little and Large makes me laugh out loud. In another, it puzzles me why (some) soccer players have allowed themselves to gain a reputation for either having no discipline, or for not caring enough to use it. Perhaps they’re simply not encouraged to be respectful? Or perhaps the feeling is that because a player has rolled up to the game in his brand new Aston Martin, carrying a plush Louis Vuitton wash bag and has signed a few autographs, he feels being respectful would be a sign of a weakness? Someone should be telling them it’s actually a sign of strength.

So cue the administrators. Where is their moral fibre in calling those who transgress to account for their actions? Perhaps that’s where Chelsea’s complaint against the referee is put into wider context? Perhaps in this instance, it’s actually because the English Football Association has got itself in a bit of a pickle?

For those who don’t know, one of Chelsea’s players, John Terry, is a former England captain, who recently faced charges relating to a racial abuse allegation against an opponent during a game in 2011. Unusually, a criminal case was brought against him but the magistrate’s court in London concluded there was insufficient evidence against him, and he was cleared.

Three months later, the English Football Association banned him for four matches and fined him £220,000 (about $350,000) after reviewing the same incident and finding him guilty. In their report the FA said that Terry’s defence was “improbable, implausible and contrived”.

So now the tables have turned and both the Metropolitan Police and the FA are investigating a racial allegation made by Chelsea themselves. If the referee is found guilty, the message should be clear and unequivocal. Or will the FA suggest that Chelsea’s evidence was “improbable, implausible and contrived”? Either way, I hope it’s not the start of a whole new world of sporting meltdown. Has Mark Clattenburg reacted because he’s fed up with being verbally abused himself? If so, two wrongs don’t make a right – especially if there are racist overtones.

The upshot of all this is that those in high places have a massive responsibility to act with dignity and honour to preserve the true spirit of competition and the basic elements of social decency. If the investigations find that the referee has acted improperly, they must punish him accordingly. If they find that it’s a complaint from an organisation that sees an opportunity for a vengeful test, they must reveal the evidence that exonerates Clattenburg, and tell them to shut up.

Hopefully this time, the two investigations will be in accord and a sporting body and a law enforcement agency will show that sport is not a dumping ground for anarchy and lawlessness. Respect is not about the power of officialdom or the size of your pay packet. It’s about common decency and social responsibility. And it’s about time the governing body leaves no-one in doubt with a consistent stand that means I’m not on tenterhooks next time my kids sit down to watch a game of football.

Follow Jaimie Fuller on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaimiefuller

The Lance Armstrong scandal: Is Pat McQuaid simply incompetent or is the UCI basically corrupt?

Jaimie Fuller — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:22:04 GMT

The ongoing performance of the UCI in the Lance Armstrong drugs scandal, is nothing short of shambolic. This week, cycling's governing body took the only decision open to them by confirming their support for USADA's decision to impose a life ban on Lance Armstrong for using performance enhancing drugs. Armstrong has also been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles.

Initially the UCI had indicated they would need all of the 21 days available to them to respond, but this announcement - seven days early - left me feeling it was a moment forced upon them by the sheer weight of public opinion rather than it being the right thing to do. The initial statement contained the bare minimum and it certainly left us all with more questions than answers as in one, dismal hour, they failed to provide me with any confidence that they were capable of putting cycling back on course, they also dodged an ideal opportunity to completely nail allegations that the UCI actually covered up evidence in order to protect Lance Armstrong. Frankly, I have no confidence in any of the senior officers to handle the next stage with impartiality and I certainly don't trust them to do what is right for the sport in preference to self preservation.

So is the UCI simply incompetent or basically corrupt? It has to be one or the other. It could actually be both.

During his address at a press conference in Geneva, the President, Pat McQuaid, tried to make all the right P.R. noises by saying that; "Lance Armstrong has no place in cycling" and; "He deserves to be forgotten."

So that's alright then.

Well actually, no it isn't!

Mr. McQuaid's answers to journalist's questions, prove that the organisation as a whole - and the President himself - are still in denial. A man who openly said that when he took office in 2005 that he; "...made the fight against doping a priority" has said he has no intention of resigning for failing to deliver. But this is a man who has been in office since 2005 and his colleagues at USADA have been investigating this case since November 2008. Information citing Lance Armstrong's involvement has been with USADA since 2010. So, as World Cycling's governing body, it's clear to me that he and his organisation have systematically failed to grasp the depth of a problem that's now been laid bare in a report containing sworn statements from more than two dozen witnesses. This includes 15 professional cyclists and 12 members of Armstrong’s cycling teams. Oh, and his former masseuse. Add to that, accusations that payments made to the UCI by Armstrong to "develop the sport" were actually sweeteners to ensure positive tests were covered up, and you're left with a pretty dismal picture of the UCI as an organisation incapable of leading a world sport.

Mr. McQuaid said in Geneva on Monday that a crisis was an opportunity. Well if that's the case, the USADA report alone suggests he's missed a lot of opportunities. Why didn't he ensure the UCI piled in to maximise the investigation? If I was President and I knew this investigation was going on and that, at some point, it would inevitably fall on my desk, I'd want to make damned sure I was right at the heart of it.

Here's just one example of an arguable dereliction of duty that demands an answer: Why, in 2010, did they simply leave the allegations made by Armstrong's former team mate Floyd Landis to be dealt with by USADA? Landis was one of many who provided evidence of doping activity, but, significantly, he also dragged the UCI into the equation by alleging that they covered up a "positive test" in 2001. Landis and another team mate, Tyler Hamilton also attested that Armstrong had told each of them he could make positive tests go away after agreeing to donate $125,000 for anti-doping programmes.

All the UCI did was send Landis a letter demanding he retracted the allegation of a cover up! But what about the other side of the allegation that they clearly ignored? Well, on Monday, they simply said they left USADA to get on with the rest of the investigation. Personally, I can only come to the conclusion that they weren't in a position to get involved because of what had happened before. There is also an allegation that $500,000 changed hands to cover up a positive test on Armstrong for cortisone in 1999.

So has the UCI simply been part of a conspiracy by accepting "hush money"? If so, they would hardly be able to treat these widespread and mounting allegations as a priority. That makes them a complicit and therefore a corrupt organisation. And if that isn't the case, why wasn't the previous President, Hein Verbruggen, who was in office for 14 years before Mr. McQuaid took over, present at the press conference to refute allegations that were clearly going to be justifiably reflected in questions from the press? Mr. McQuaid simply said he could only be held accountable for the time while he's been President. In that case, Mr. Verbruggen, who now enjoys the prestigious title of Honorary President for Life, should have been there. After all, he has nothing to hide, has he?

Monday's announcement and subsequent answers to media questions were too little too late.

If the UCI is not complicit, this was an opportunity to answer questions and ease the pressure on the sport they represent.

If the UCI is not incompetent, then they should have led from the front long before it got to this point and not ignored many opportunities to do so.

So now we wait for Friday when the management committee meets to discuss "measures" to ensure this doesn't happen again. I simply can't wait.

After such a scandalously weak attempt to explain themselves, we're left with a discredited organisation plotting its own future. Unbelievable.

An internal investigation is out of the question. No-one within the UCI has the credibility or the confidence of the outside world to hold such a thing together. That would be nothing more than turkeys voting against Christmas. So two things have to happen. Firstly, a cycling Oversight Committee must be created that includes representatives from key stakeholders. This would include the cycling teams, the cyclists, the anti-doping organisations, the sponsors, the UCI itself and also a media representative. The obvious media choice would be campaigning journalist, David Walsh of the Sunday Times whose determination to uncover the truth on Lance Armstrong and doping in general, has been remarkable in the face of fierce opposition and denial - sometimes even from his own profession. The make up of this collective would immediately restore confidence in the recovery process and its first responsibility would be to appoint an impartial figure to lead a full and transparent inquiry. This would be someone who is beyond reproach - a Lord Levenson type figure or someone of equally unimpeachable standing - who must be given the powers of unrestricted access to ensure they rip the scab off the sore and allow the wound a chance to breathe and then begin a full recovery. Any recommendations would be theirs and theirs alone and I'd be surprised if it didn't result in some sort of longer term decentralisation of some of UCI's current power. But if its not a power thing and it REALLY IS about the future of the sport, that wouldn't be a problem. Would it?

The only other way forward is for those at the top of the UCI to resign now and let others with enthusiasm, energy and credibility take the reins to put these actions into place. After the events of the last few weeks and the systematic failure of those in office over an extended period, there is no way on this earth that ANYTHING they say as a lone voice will be received with anything other than complete contempt. As Chairman of a company that has commercial affiliations with cycling teams and organisations across the world, I don't want to turn my back on a sport I personally love and professionally feel has (still) so much to offer. But it's clear there is no way it can offer what its capable of if Mr. McQuaid and his cronies remain in unilateral charge of World cycling.

Follow Jaimie Fuller on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaimiefuller

SKINS Chairman writes to UCI President demanding action

Jaimie Fuller — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 10:38:03 GMT

This week, I took the unique step of publicly writing to the President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to offer a little advice on how to do his job. In short, Pat McQuaid needs to radically step up to the plate, or resign.

Now, for anyone who knows me, you may be surprised that its taken me this long to give someone that sort of advice in an open forum, but the current drugs scandal surrounding Lance Armstrong and the serial performance-enhancing culture it has revealed, meant it was time someone who has both a personal and commercial interest in world cycling aired a few home truths.

SKINS has been proud to be associated with a number of cycling teams and organisations around the world and while no criticism of our own partners is intended in any way, we’re all connected to the same sorry mess. A 1,000 page dossier has been presented to the UCI by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) which includes sworn statements from witnesses about serial performance-enhancing drug violations by Lance Armstrong. Armstrong has decided he won’t fight the charges, so there is immediately implied guilt by association. But where does that leave the sport? The UCI has to act to restore confidence in a fallen product – and I’ve said so.

I admire Lance Armstrong’s outstanding work in support of his cancer charity, but, assuming the USADA report is accurate, he can go to ‘hell in a hand cart’ as far as his ‘achievements’ as a cyclist are concerned. This means the UCI will be left holding the baby and at the moment, I have little confidence in the ability of those in charge to even steady the ship – let alone steer a confident path to towards the future. That is why I wrote the letter.

You can read it for yourself by clicking here, but as you do, let me ask you this: What happens to world cycling if the array of stakeholders who have heavily invested into world cycling, decide to take legal recourse to recover investment, sponsorship and bonuses that have been contractually paid out on the basis of what is now seen as flawed and fraudulent performance? What if major international companies sue for breach of contract across the whole of the sport? What happens then? We already have one US organisation who paid Armstrong 12 million dollars over three years as incentive for 4 consecutive TdF victories saying they are considering their options. If they don’t institute legal proceedings soon to retrieve their money plus some then I’ll change my name to Shirley, put a flower in my hair and start wearing skirts. There are no doubt many others.

The UCI have to act. Not just to force Lance Armstrong to respond, but also to create and publish a plan that stops the whole thing imploding. At the moment, with alarming allegations surrounding the possible involvement of senior UCI officials in a major cover-up and bribery, I have little confidence that they’re capable – or suited – to act in the best interests of world cycling.

Read my letter to Pat McQuaid and judge for yourself. I’d be interested in your comments.

One other thing. I wouldn’t like to be in Lance Armstrong’s shoes today. He could easily find himself facing perjury charges based on evidence that he has given under oath denying any involvement in doping. We saw Marion Jones sentenced to prison for perjury and it’s not impossible that the same could happen to Armstrong.

Strange times indeed…

Two GOLD awards for SKINS in-store displays

Kezia Everson — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:01:50 GMT

SKINS new in-store displays have been awarded two gold statues at the 2012 POPAI Marketing Retail Awards.

The awards were picked up in the following categories:

- Department Stores/Mass Merchants permanent displays for the SKINS in-store wall and floor units

- Digital & Interactive Solutions for the SKINS interactive kiosk

SKINS challenged their agencies to develop an in-store display system that would provide a strongly branded SKINS destination within the crowded sports retail environment. The solution needed to provide clear product segmentation and act as a silent salesman to educate and inspire consumers.

A modular in-store solution for both wall and centre store locations was created to satisfy varying merchandising requirements. The upper illuminated, interchangeable graphic displays provide targeted, strongly branded messaging, while the scrolling LED signage on the wall units can be programmed to support various sports or promotions. Bright LED strip lighting fills the individual bays with light, inviting customers to interact with the products displayed. The units not only stand out as a point of interest for shoppers, but also give consumers the opportunity to touch and try on the garments, reaffirming the price premium.

Purchasing the right size garment is essential to get the maximum compression benefits and almost every SKINS product has a unique size chart. The high-tech kiosk integrates into the wall unit display and encourages interactivity. A touch-screen product configurator recommends the most suitable SKINS products, based on the users’ sport or fitness preference. Once the user has selected the final top or tights for their needs, calculation based software recommends the correct SKINS size for that specific product.

Results

The new in-store solution offers a memorable user experience and creates a key point of differentiation amongst competitors. It has been identified as a direct catalyst for sales growth for the SKINS brand within the retail sector in excess of 30% across retailers in Australia, Japan and Europe.

“Good to hear that our in-store displays have been recognised by the POPAI awards,” SKINS CEO Nic Versloot commented. “We have had great feedback from our customers too. We are committed to growing the category; on this occasion with an impactful, hi tech brand experience that educates the consumer and encourages product trial. This has led to double digit sales growth with every placement.”

Ode to The Greatest Golf Competition of Them All

Jaimie Fuller — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:46:40 GMT

Here's this weeks blog from Jaimie Fuller at the Water Cooler...

At the risk of sounding like your friendly, local forecaster, there's a storm brewing in the U.S state of Illinois, but its got nothing to do with the weather.

This weekend at the Medinah Country Club, Golf's Ryder Cup takes place for the 39th time. It will be 3 days of spine tingling tension, as the best golfers from the United States and Europe battle it out in a crackling, tinderbox atmosphere. The American fans will be raucous, partisan and intimidating and the European players will be staring adversity in the face at every step. In short, it will be one of the most intense sporting occasions in the global sporting calendar... And I can't wait!

It's not often that an event between two such geographically specific regions grabs world attention, but this is definitely one of those moments. When the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup come round every four years, the whole world wakes up. And as much as fans of other sports might like to think otherwise, it doesn't happen with Rugby Union or Cricket. But for Golf's biennial show piece, I reckon it does.

For a start, the two teams are filled with the best players in the world. 17 of the top 20 in golf's current world rankings will be there; the other three are an Australian and a South African, who obviously don't qualify and an American who simply didn't make their team. All 24 players on show are seen on the European, U.S. or world tour on a regular basis by club golfers across the entire world who can only dream of hitting a golf ball like they do.

Golf on the tour has always been a sport where the spectators can literally touch the players. At tournaments such as The Open, or The Masters, its rarely a problem. The atmosphere is lively but its impossible for a crowd to be collectively partisan when the field is full of individuals playing for themselves. At the Ryder Cup its totally different and at times in the past the enthusiasm has spilled over into ugly patriotic vitriol.The players and officials have worked hard to nip such nonsense firmly in the bud while ensuring that healthy patriotism remains intact. And that's exactly how it should be.

Two years ago at Celtic Manor in Wales, the U.S. team felt the wrath of locals which means this year, its the turn of the Europeans to run the gauntlet stateside and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 24 focused individuals who are used to fending for themselves will be thrust into one of the toughest sporting atmospheres in world sport and become part of a team. They will be desperate not to let their mates down and they will suffer increased nerves and anxiety because of it. The players say there's no feeling like it; there's the supreme 'high' because you're a part of it all, and, at the same time, the dreadful feeling of sickness... because you're a part of it all.

As a sports fan, that's what makes it so fantastic. This is gladiatorial sport at its very best. The commoners in the amphitheatre are baying for sporting blood while the competitors are hoping not to make that one, tactical mistake that could leave them and their mates for dead. Hardened professionals admit they're intimidated by the whole thing, but then again, they wouldn't miss it for the world.

In 1997, Lee Westwood couldn't get the ball on the tee in Valderrama because he said: "My hands were shaking and my eyes glazed over" and two years ago, the current world number one and Skins brand ambassador Rory McIlroy said of his first tee shot on day one: "I was just happy to make contact with it."

Remember, these are guys who play the game for a living and make a fortune by doing it brilliantly. But this weekend, they'll be plagued by an electric atmosphere and an intense fear of failure that will probably produce one of the finest spectacles of sporting competition anywhere in the world.

Bring it on!