DUMONT TO WEAR BULLSEYE: Simon signs with Target
As two-time defending X Games superpipe gold medalist, you know Simon Dumont will have a target on his back this weekend in Aspen. Now he'll have one on his skis, wristband and belt buckle too.
The logo is courtesy of his newest sponsor, Target. The Minneapolis-based retail giant says they’ve hooked up with Dumont to help establish their place in the skiing industry and they’re “looking forward to watching him lead the growth of freeskiing.”
“We like to be creative and do new, unexpected things,” says Target spokesperson, Lena Michaud. “Sponsoring an athlete like Simon helps us enter into another area of the action sports industry and connect with customers who are fans of freeskiing.”
Dumont joins several other action sports athletes adorned with the red bullseye, including Shawn White, Nate Adams and Matt Hoffman. He’ll sport the Target logo on his skis and on a wristband or belt buckle during competitions and he’ll make appearances at exhibitions, community events and special store programs, says Michaud.
In an era where out-of-industry sponsorship is becoming more popular everyday, Dumont says he was surprised when asked to wear the famous Target bullseye.
“I was amazed when they approached me,” says the 19-year-old defending Winter X Games Ski Superpipe gold medallist. “It’s works out great for me, but does a lot more to support the industry and the growth of skiing.”
Michaud says her company looked toward Dumont because “he’s at the top of his game, he’s an impressive young athlete and he’s a wonderful personality.” Although Dumont is focused on a repeat of last year’s Winter X gold this week, he says it’s nice to have a sponsor who simply want’s him to enjoy the ride.
“It takes a lot of pressure of me to have a sponsor (like Target) that doesn’t care if I win or loose,” he says. “I’m just in it to put on a good show and as long as I do that with a smile on my face it doesn’t matter if I win.”
Check back on Sunday to see if Dumont takes Worst Slam at the 2006 POWDER VIDEO AWARDS.