Las Vegas, NV (Tuesday, January 27, 2004) - SnowSports Industries America (SIA) and the U.S. Ski Team are recognizing Rossignol as the recipient of the first annual Doc Des Roches Award. The new award will recognize an SIA member and U.S. Ski Team official supplier for its integration of Team athletes into its marketing campaigns. The award is named in honor of the late Des Roches, a pioneer in the formation of SIA and instrumental in the development of the Ski Team's early national fundraising efforts.

According to SIA President David Ingemie, Rossignol was recognized for the depth and diversity of its marketing campaign surrounding U.S. Ski Team global superstar Bode Miller. The award will be presented to Rossignol during the SIA Membership Meeting tomorrow during the annual SIA.04 Snowsports Show in Las Vegas.

"The U.S. Ski Team is a well-known brand, but we need help from our partners to help tell our story," said U.S. Ski Team President and CEO Bill Marolt. "We have great support from our industry partners in integrating our athletes into marketing campaigns. While this award could really go to any of our suppliers, the work Rossignol has done to help develop a national, and global, image of Bode Miller has been extraordinary."

"We're excited about this new award as a way to honor the tremendous contributions of Doc Des Roches to our organization of SIA, but also to recognize the support our members provide in helping to market our great U.S. Ski Team athletes," said Ingemie. "Doc was always a tremendous supporter of the Team and he would be honored to be a part of this award."

In selecting the award winner, SIA and the U.S. Ski Team looked at a number of criteria including integration of U.S. Ski Team athletes and overall brand into campaigns, as well as diversity of media offering opportunities to expose the Ski Team and its athletes to new markets. Rossignol's extensive domestic campaign included:

Global Print Campaign - Integration of U.S. Ski Team athletes Bode Miller, Julia Mancuso and Sarah Schleper into global print campaign, including significant image-building campaign around Miller and over 15 different individual advertisements.

Film/Video - Integration of Bode Miller into sponsored segment in Warren Miller film; distribution of Bode Miller video/DVD to 2,000+ retailers.

Television - Production of two 30-second television spots featuring Bode Miller, used by local retailers and also run in U.S. Ski Team television broadcasts

Race Centers - of U.S. Ski Team poster and imagery display in over 50 Rossignol Race Centers

Web/Email Marketing - Integration of U.S. Ski Team athletic results in web site news and email marketing distribution.

Athlete Appearances - Appearances by key U.S. Ski Team athletes at retail locations.

"On behalf of Rossignol,our employees and our athletes,we are extremely honored to receive this award," Rossignol USA President Hugh Harley. "Ski racing has been the essence and heritage of our brand for over 50 years. This award brings two legends together-- Rossignol and Des Roches. How fitting."

Des Roches, who died last June, served from 1963-1981 as executive vice president and CEO of the then-Ski Industries America. He played an integral role in shaping the association as the industry knows it today.

"Doc was SIA. He was responsible for developing the organizational foundation that saw SIA grow into its leadership role in the ski industry. He was a great inspiration to me and others in the industry. SIA would not be where it is today without Doc DesRoches," said Ingemie.

He was also named national chairman of the U.S. Ski Team Fund Committee in 1963, and chairman of the Olympic Ski Games Committee. In 1967 he co-founded the New York Ski Ball, which now raises over $1-million annually for the Team. He later sat on the U.S. Ski Association board and served in TV and press officer capacities at several Olympics. He has been awarded USSA's highest honor, the Julius Blegen Award, the Gold Quill Award of the U.S. Ski Writers Association (now North American Snowsport Journalists Association), and is an honored member of the National Ski Hall of Fame.