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NEWS RELEASE
Photos available www.flickr.com/acvbpr

Alaska Ski for Women: Costumes, Competition and Compassion
Women skiers raise money to support domestic violence programs

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – Jan. 29, 2010 – The Alaska Ski for Women returns to Kincaid Park in Anchorage, Alaska, for its 14th year on Feb. 7, 2010, with a twofold mission: encourage women of all ages and abilities to take part in an organized Nordic skiing event and raise money to support local non-profit organizations that provide safe harbor and support services for women and children affected by domestic abuse.

Billed as North America’s largest women-only cross-country ski event, the Alaska Ski for Women is comprised of four individual events: a 4K Classic Ski Race, a 4K Freestyle Ski Race, a 4K just-for-fun Party Wave, and the new 8K Combined Duathlon.

For the classic and freestyle races, waves of skiers will tackle four kilometers of trail in Anchorage’s Kincaid Park in timed race waves, whether dressed in costume or their favorite racing apparel. But it’s more than a ski race.

With good reason, someone once referred to this event as the Mardi Gras of the North. A majority of the ski partners and teams don elaborate or at least colorful costumes, which makes this an amazing spectator event. Due to the growing popularity of the costume aspect, a non-timed party wave was added to accommodate skiers who enjoy a more leisurely tour, and there is a costume parade around the ski stadium and awards for the best costume duo, team and annual theme. This year’s theme, “Alaska, the Next 50 Years,” is sure to inspire a panoply of designs.

The Duathlon is a new addition to this year’s Alaska Ski for Women. Participants in the 8K event will ski the first wave of the Classic Race and the first wave of the Freestyle Race. The skier with the best combined time will be named the Alaska Ski for Women Race Diva. With only 30 minutes between the starts of each skiing event, the winner definitely earns some bragging rights.

The Alaska Ski for Women doesn’t end at the finish line. Over the years, this event has donated nearly $800,000 – raised through sponsorships, participant contributions and sales from a silent auction – to local community, non-profit organizations working to stop the cycle of domestic abuse against women and children: Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center, Covenant House, Eva Foundation, Mary Magdalene Home, YWCA and Abused Women's Aid in Crisis, Inc.

The idea is growing; the Alaska Ski for Women has served as inspiration for events in other Alaska communities, such as Homer and Fairbanks, as well as events outside of the state. The Women’s Souper Bowl – a ski and snowshoe event also held on Super Bowl Sunday in Spokane, Wash. – is one such event that spawned from the Alaska Ski for Women.

More information about the Alaska Ski for Women can be found at www.anchoragenordicski.com/skiforwomen.

The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (ACVB) mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage as a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO). ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by lodging associations. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund, and one-third to service the bond debt and operations of the Anchorage Convention Centers. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. 2010 marks ACVB’s 35th year of bringing business to Anchorage. Explore www.Anchorage.net for more information.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jack Bonney
Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau PR Manager
jbonney@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118

Allison Knox
Publicity, Alaska Ski for Women
allison@akprconsulting
(907) 250-1480 www.anchoragenordicski.com/skiforwomen
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