The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced today that men’s and women’s halfpipe skiing will be an Olympic sport at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

The move follows the The International Ski Federation (FIS) unanimously pitching halfpipe skiing while additionally suggesting slopestyle skiing to the IOC Program Commission in September, who approved the sports for inclusion in the 2014 Winter Olympics. The last piece of the puzzle was for the IOC Executive Board to give their final seal of approval on the decision, which was originally scheduled to take place at an IOC Executive Board meeting in Acapulco, Mexico in October, but the Board instead opted to wait until after having the chance to review the events at FIS World Championships in Park City, Utah in February.

Moments ago, at the IOC Executive Board meeting in London, England, officials speaking on the condition of anonymity confirmed that the IOC has made long-awaited decision to include men’s and women’s halfpipe skiing in the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Slopestyle skiing on the other hand has not been ruled out for the 2014 Games, but will be considered for possible inclusion at a later date following site inspections in Sochi on April 23rd, as it is the only new event up for consideration that will require a new venue to be built.

This historic announcement is one of the biggest and most exciting things to happen to the sport of freeskiing, and is a moment that many athletes have hoped and dreamed about for years.

SOURCE:Newschoolers.com http://www.newschoolers.com/ns/content/readnews/id/3829/

BULA, a leading accessories company that has been manufacturing headwear for skiers since 1983, today announced the addition of three new product lines; outerwear, sportswear, and bags. Additionally, BULA’s popular LayerOne line, base layer apparel for women, will now be available in three different weights.

Designed and developed for BULA’s professional team of freeskiers, the new line of outerwear features loads of style, technical aspects, poppy colors, and dynamic prints. The men’s outwear includes six jackets while the women’s line features five jackets. Both men’s and women’s lines feature two styles of pants. Available in plenty of different colors and prints, the men’s and women’s outwear truly offers something for everyone.

BULA’s new sportswear program offers zip-up hoodies, fleece, and tees for men and women designed with long and loose fits, specifically requested by our team of riders. Unique details in select styles include thumb holes, contrasting zippers or cuffs, and color-blocking.

The third category new to the BULA collection is bags, which includes backpacks, a fanny-pack, a boot bag, a ski bag and a duffle. Available in multiple prints and colors, these bags are the perfect solution for all of your travel needs.

Lastly, the popular and eye-catching women’s LayerOne line will now be available in three weights; Micro Velour, Merino, and Micro Stretch. BULA’s Micro Velour LayerOne luxurious plush tops and bottoms are great for layering or on their own and will keep you warm and cozy on even most frigid days. Merino, the finest and softest of all sheep wool, is the ideal choice for a mid-weight top and bottom, best for variable conditions or layering under our Micro Velour pieces. Micro Stretch LayerOne is our lightest weight base layer, made of a high-performance micro polyester fabric with an interior brushed finish, leaving it amazingly soft and comfortable.  

The entire LayerOne collection features BULA’s exclusive Mix ‘N Match program, allowing for mixing and matching colors, materials, and prints throughout the entire LayerOne line.

To book a media appointment to see the entire 2012 BULA line at SIA or ISPO, please contact Mia Troy-Vowell: mia@bulabula.com.

For more about BULA, visit www.bulabula.com, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thisbulalife and follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/bulalife.

MONTREAL, QC (January 10, 2011) — BULA, a leading accessories and cold weather brand, today announced the addition of 21 distributors in 27 countries, increasing global distribution by 120 percent. Since 1983 BULA has been manufacturing quality headwear for skiers, and celebrating a carefree attitude and laidback lifestyle ever since.

“We are excited about our new international alliances,” said Philip Marcovitch, President of Filmar Corporation, the manufacturer of BULA. “The global market is one of growing importance for the BULA brand. BULA has an established business base in regions like Scandinavia, Canada and the United States and we are poised for success in the new regions of distribution.”

The following are new global distributors of BULA:
Andorra, Spain, France and Portugal:     Megasport     www.megasport.es
Argentina:     Board Life     www.boardlife.com.ar
Benelux:     Familia Distribution     www.familiadistribution.com
Bulgaria:     XTM Sports Marketing     www.xtmsports.com
China:     Another Distribution Ltd.     www.anotherdist.com
Czech Republic:    N Distribution     www.ndistribution.cz
Georgia:     DV Sport Ltd.     —
Germany and Austria:     Chris Sports Europe GmbH     www.chrissports.eu
Greece: Water Action www.water-action.gr
Hong Kong:     Island Wake     www.islandwake.com
Hungary:     Acrol Hungary     www.acrol.hu
Iran and UAE:     Mianji Sport     www.mianjisport.com
Israel:     Reshet Ltd.     —
Kazakhstan:     Snowshop.KZ     www.snowshop.kz
Lithuania:     JSC “Modus Otii”     www.xclubshop.lt
Poland:     Frost Distribution S.C.     www.frostdistribution.pl
Romania:     Kenner Distribution     www.kenner.ro
Slovenia and Croatia:     GM 3 D.O.O.     www.gm3.si
Switzerland:     Chris Sports Systems     www.chrissports.ch
Taiwan:     Great Life Science Inc.     www.beam.com.tw
Turkey:     Sporting Group     —

Greg Bardin, VP of Sales for BULA and one of the original founders, had this to say, “Twenty-eight years ago we were operating this company out of my kitchen, so it means a lot to me to see this type of growth for the brand. We like to say that we have been living the good life since 1983, and I am proof of that.”

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ABOUT BULA
Since its inception in 1983 BULA has been living the good life. Started by two ski bums on a trip from New Zealand and inspired by a brief stay in Fiji, the brand was established to represent their fun and unique lifestyle. “Bula Bula” is a Fijian greeting that stands for “good life, health and happiness” – values which remain at the heart of the BULA brand to this day.