Archives: Press Releases

Boston, MA – March 27, 2025 – Intercontinental Football Academy (IFA) New England, Challenger Teamwear, and Craft Sportswear North America are proud to announce a multi-year partnership to provide IFA New England players and coaches with premium uniforms and training apparel. The collaboration brings together three organizations with a shared commitment to excellence and dedication to delivering top-tier products, exceptional service, and a best-in-class experience for athletes.

With Challenger Teamwear as the official uniform provider and Craft Sportswear supplying elite performance apparel, this partnership ensures that every IFA New England player—from those just starting their soccer journey to those competing at the highest levels—has access to premium gear that meets the demands of the modern game.

“This partnership with IFA New England and Craft Sportswear is a huge step for Challenger Teamwear,” said Luke Krawczyk, President of Challenger Teamwear. “At Challenger, we’re all about supporting players at every level, making sure they have the best gear to train, compete, and perform at their highest level. IFA New England’s commitment to developing players and building a strong soccer community—whether it’s those just starting out or those reaching for the highest levels—perfectly aligns with our mission. With Craft Sportswear alongside us, we’re not just supplying uniforms; we’re helping build a culture that puts players first, fosters excellence, and grows the game in the right way. This partnership is about making a real impact, and we couldn’t be more excited to be a part of it.”

The collaboration also reflects a shared vision of fostering ambition and excellence within the IFA New England community. With Craft Sportswear’s deep-rooted expertise in technical performance apparel, the partnership will provide players with gear designed for professional-level performance on and off the field.

“At Craft, we believe in pushing beyond limits, challenging expectations, and never settling. That’s why this partnership with IFA New England and Challenger Teamwear is so exciting,” said Jake Rawson, CEO of Craft Sportswear North America. “IFA New England is building something different, something that challenges the status quo in American soccer, and Challenger Teamwear is the perfect partner to help bring that vision to life. Together, we’re providing more than just uniforms—we’re fueling a culture of ambition, innovation, and excellence. We’re proud to be part of this journey and can’t wait to see where it leads.”

For IFA New England, this partnership represents an important investment in the club’s players and overall soccer culture. Providing top-tier apparel for all players—from the youngest academy members to those competing on the national stage—reinforces the club’s mission to elevate the player experience.

“At IFA New England, we are obsessed with quality and driven by a vision to elevate youth soccer in the U.S.,” said Bill Altieri, President of IFA New England. “This partnership is about more than just uniforms—it’s about identity, culture, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for our players. Challenger Teamwear and Craft Sportswear have shown an incredible attention to detail, not just in the quality of their gear but in their commitment to truly supporting our club and our players. We want every player, from our youngest academy members to those competing at the highest level, to feel like they’re part of something special. With this partnership, we’re strengthening that foundation and giving our players the tools to succeed both on and off the field. We’re proud to be working with partners who share our vision and commitment to the game.”

In the coming weeks, IFA New England, Challenger Teamwear, and Craft Sportswear will unveil more details on the partnership, including a first look at the new kit design that players will wear throughout the season.

ABOUT CRAFT SPORTSWEAR
Craft Sportswear has been a leader in performance apparel for over four decades, designing innovative, high-quality gear that helps athletes push their limits in any condition. Rooted in Swedish heritage and driven by a passion for sport, Craft has collaborated with elite athletes worldwide to develop sportswear that enhances comfort, durability, and performance. Since 2018, Craft has expanded into teamwear, becoming a trusted brand for teams and clubs globally. Committed to sustainability and continuous innovation, Craft creates gear that empowers athletes at every level, helping them train harder, play stronger, and go one step further in their athletic pursuits.

ABOUT CHALLENGER TEAMWEAR
Challenger Teamwear, established in 2001 and headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, has outfitted millions of athletes and thousands of organizations, fueling their passion for sports. Known for its high-quality products and exceptional customer service, Challenger Teamwear offers a comprehensive range of sports apparel and equipment. With in-house production capabilities, they provide personalized and efficient solutions for sports organizations across the United States. With a commitment to supporting its partners and thinking outside the box, Challenger Teamwear continuously finds new ways to help teams and clubs succeed both on and off the field.

ABOUT INTERCONTINENTAL FOOTBALL ACADEMY NEW ENGLAND
Intercontinental Football Academy (IFA) New England is a premier soccer program based in Massachusetts, dedicated to elevating the standard of youth development in the U.S. Serving a large, highly committed player base across the region, IFA New England provides top-tier training for both boys and girls, combining a player-first approach with an unwavering commitment to excellence. Their program features advanced training methods, video analysis, and specialized coaching designed to develop top-level players who are well-prepared to excel in the modern game. With a strong European influence and a diverse player base, IFA fosters a unique footballing culture rooted in quality, ambition, and innovation. Their teams compete at the highest levels, reinforcing their commitment to developing elite talent while strengthening the broader soccer community.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Challenger Teamwear
Luke Krawczyk, President of Challenger Teamwear
lkrawczyk@challengerteamwear.com

Intercontinental Football Academy New England
Bill Altieri, President of IFA New England
baltieri@ifanewengland.com

 

 

 

 

 

TACOMA (March 20, 2025) –EXPED, a leader in Swiss designed outdoor equipment, has been recognized as a Global Vision Honoree, by Travel + Leisure. The Global Vision Awards honor the people, companies and nonprofits that are changing the way of travel for the better.

Every year, Travel + Leisure presents its Global Vision Awards, where individuals, products, destinations, and organizations are acknowledged for pioneering sustainable and eco-friendly travel. These visionaries are focused on the future of travel—and are dedicated to ensuring that we, as humans, can continue to explore the world without damaging it as we go along.

Travel + Leisure’s Global Vision Awards will be featured in the April 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure and a link to the results can be found HERE.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by Travel + Leisure as a leader in sustainable travel products and thoughtfully moving toward a brighter, carbon-conscious future,” said Ted Steudel, president of EXPED USA. “We are proud to uphold environmental and social standards, ensuring that EXPED gear not only enhances outdoor experiences but also has a lighter footprint on the places we explore.”

Sustainability has been a core principle at EXPED from the very start. Durability, reliability and reparability of all products are key focus areas in their development. EXPED’s longstanding and close relationships with partner factories and strong emphasis on environmentally friendly production practices that reduce harm on the planet allow the company to make outdoor gear that is responsibly and ethically made.

For more information, visit https://www.expedusa.com/pages/sustainability.

About EXPED

Started in 1981 by Swiss adventurers Heidi and Andi Brun, Exped builds truly innovative outdoor equipment, refining every detail to produce quality, sustainable gear suited to all your outdoor pursuits. The result is incredibly sleek, minimal designs that forgo unnecessary frills while maximizing both performance and comfort. www.expedusa.com

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (March 18, 2025) – Kahtoola, in partnership with Q Stories, is excited to announce the online premiere of “Designed by Disaster” a deeply personal and inspiring documentary about a life-changing accident of Kahtoola’s founder, Danny Giovale.

An official selection at over 20 film festivals in seven countries including Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival, and Kendall Mountain Film Festival, the 20 minute film is now live for online viewing. Directed by award-winning filmmaker James ‘Q’ Martin, the film follows Giovale, a passionate climber whose nearly tragic accident in the icy Italian Dolomites compels him to address a critical safety gap in mountain travel.

“Thirty years ago, after a life-changing event, I realized the importance of being given a second chance and making a positive impact,” said Danny Giovale, owner and founder of Kahtoola. “This understanding led to the creation of our company, with a dual purpose: to innovate outdoor gear and be a force for good. Without the intent to significantly contribute to both areas, I wouldn’t have started this journey.”

“Designed by Disaster” tells the story of Giovale’s journey from near-death to innovation as he develops a trailblazing solution to the very common and dangerous problem of accidental falls in snow and ice. Through tireless dedication, hundreds of prototypes and an iterative design process, Giovale invents a revolutionary type of crampon and spawns an entirely new category in the outdoor industry.

Three decades post-accident and equipped with the product he created, the film documents Giovale return to the Italian mountain range to complete his near fatal climb with long-time friend and professional rock climber, Timmy O’Neill. An inspirational origin story, “Designed by Disaster” highlights Giovale’s passionate work to keep others from experiencing the same near tragedy, or worse.

About Kahtoola: Established in 1999, Kahtoola crafts exceptional outdoor gear with a commitment to philanthropy, conservation, and sustainability. Kahtoola’s gaiters, hiking crampons, and flexible footwear traction systems, including MICROspikes®, EXOspikes™ and NANOspikes®, are built to improve safety and performance. Every product is thoughtfully designed and vigorously tested at the brand’s Flagstaff, Ariz. headquarters high on the Colorado Plateau. Owned and operated by founder Danny Giovale, Kahtoola proudly grants 1% of annual sales through the Kahtoola Philanthropy Program to organizations that support indigenous cultures, outdoor community and environmental responsibility. For more information, please visit Kahtoola.com.

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About Q Stories: Since its inception in 1998, Q Stories has evolved from the vision of James “Q” Martin into a collective of passionate storytellers dedicated to sharing impactful narratives from the outdoor world. With a foundation rooted in the outdoor industry and a drive to address complex environmental and social issues, Q Stories specializes in crafting narrative-driven media with a global reach. Leveraging their diverse expertise, the team at Q Stories excels in bringing unique stories to life, emphasizing the “Why” behind each project.

Media Contact:

Catherine Donovan

Terra PR

323-708-6953

CatherineD@terrapublicrelations.com

 

Boulder, Colo. (Mar. 18, 2025) – Krimson Klover releases their newest line of performance shorts, light knits, and sun protection for Spring 2025 featuring fresh colorways and prints.  Krimson Klover is a women-founded outdoor brand committed to empowering women to stay active all year long through functional fashion that is responsibly sourced.

Performance and aesthetics are not mutually exclusive for Krimson Klover. Whether exploring switchbacks, paddleboarding  on the lake or heading to the farmer’s market with the family in tow, the brand is dedicated to crafting sustainable, high-quality and well tailored apparel so that active outdoorswomen can not only perform, but also look and feel their best while getting outside.

“We’re very fortunate to collaborate with amazing illustrators and print designers to bring this art to life for our Spring and Summer ‘25 Collection,” said Rhonda Swenson, Founder of Krimson Klover. “We worked with our print designer to create new spring-inspired prints. Our floral prints are inspired by all the amazing wildflowers you see in the Rocky Mountains. The colors are beautiful and bright—vibrant pinks, soft blushes, brilliant blues, fresh greens. And our geo prints reflect the jagged peaks we’re so lucky to have in our backyard. In short, our print designers have outdone themselves this season.”

Designed to be both practical and fashionable, this spring collection includes items made for casual travels, summer hikes, or lakeside activities. Fan favorite sun shirts and spring knits return with charming details; while the leisure line proudly features new colors of the french terry, with a soft broken-in vintage feel, in the Julia Hoodie (MSRP $99) and Harper Pant (MSRP $89). Other key new styles include the Rory Short (MSRP $89) made to crossover between mountain biking, hiking, running, farmer market strolls and even golf.

For more information about Krimson Klover and for its current collections, please visit krimsonklover.com. Sign up for the newsletter or follow along on social media on Facebook, Instagram,  Tik Tok,  and Pinterest.

Please visit KrimsonKlover.com for additional product information.

About Krimson Klover

Krimson Klover was founded in 2009 and brings performance, comfort and style to your everyday adventures. Krimson Klover creates playful, mountain-inspired apparel using low impact fabrics and responsible sourcing with a commitment to elevating women. Krimson Klover is a fashion-forward outdoor & lifestyle brand powered by women passionate about living a life fueled by outdoor adventure, meaningful connection, and giving back. Krimson Klover doesn’t just design high-performance base layers, durable hiking shorts, stay-put swimsuits, or fun and flirty dresses. Krimson Klover designs clothing that empowers you to pursue your passions. https://krimsonklover.com.

MANCOS, Colo. (March 18, 2025) — Alpacka Raft, the industry leader in packrafting, has partnered with Immersion Research (IR), the industry leader in kayak spray skirts, to introduce the Immersion Research Sixmile Skirt. This new spray skirt combines a kayak proven neoprene tunnel, neoprene casing, and high tension full bungee with a packraft-compatible hybrid nylon and neoprene deck to meet the growing demands of packrafting capabilities and the advancing paddler skill set.

“At Alpacka, innovation is at the core of everything we do, and the spray skirt is one of the most critical components of a whitewater setup,” said Thor Tingey, CEO and co-founder of Alpacka Raft. “We’re also big believers in collaboration, especially when we can team up with another industry leader with shared values. Immersion Research has spent decades perfecting spray skirt technology for kayakers, and together we’ve developed a skirt that offers the best combination of functionality, durability, and ease of use for serious packrafters.”

The collaboration between Alpacka Raft and Immersion Research brought together two companies with a shared goal: to create the most innovative spray skirt ever built for the evolving packrafter. Drawing on Alpacka’s deep understanding of packraft design and IR’s expertise in skirt construction and fit, the teams developed a unique skirt that allows a kayak-style casing and bungee to fit on Alpacka’s breakdown and packable cockpit and rim design.

The Sixmile Skirt aims to bridge the gap in packraft innovation and paddler progression by providing the driest, properly fitting spray skirt for those seeking to explore more whitewater paddling opportunities. The new benchmark in performance and safety for the advancing class III-IV+ paddler, while being an ideal investment for those beginning their progression into class II-III whitewater.

The Sixmile Skirt is made with a sized neoprene tunnel, a heavy-duty nylon deck with stretchy neoprene corners to fit over the paddler’s knees, and a full neoprene casing and bungee to fit over the packraft’s deck rim. The high-tension bungee provides greater implosion resistance when running harder whitewater, while the specialized neoprene casing provides an easy experience when putting the sprayskirt onto and off of the rim of the packraft. Additionally, silicone grips on the underside and 1.5mm neoprene corner panels help keep the skirt in place and accommodate a variety of paddler sizes.

“A reliable sprayskirt isn’t just about keeping you dry—it’s a key piece of safety gear,” said John Weld, co-founder and president of Immersion Research. “We’ve spent years fine-tuning our bungee skirts to provide the best possible fit and retention, and by bringing that technology to packrafting with Alpacka, we’ve created a skirt that offers a superior seal while remaining easy to use in the field. The Sixmile Skirt is a game-changer for paddlers pushing the limits of whitewater packrafting.”

Designed for high-performance packrafting, the Sixmile Skirt is recommended for Alpacka’s Mage and Valkyrie models, where maximum water resistance and retention are essential for running technical whitewater. For paddlers seeking a lightweight alternative, Alpacka continues to offer the Ultralight Skirt, which is best suited for models like the Refuge, Caribou, Mule, and Expedition.

The Sixmile Skirt is now available at www.alpackaraft.com. Be sure to visit immersionresearch.com for more quality dry wear and paddling gear for your next packrafting adventure.

About Alpacka Raft

Founded in 2000 by mother-and-son team Sheri and Thor Tingey, Alpacka Raft makes the world’s best packrafts. With packrafts designed and handmade by a talented group of makers in its Mancos, Colorado facility, Alpacka Raft packrafts have been used and trusted on expeditions by some of the world’s most well-known adventurers. Alpacka Raft is committed to building a diverse community of boaters and is proud to provide high-quality, living-wage manufacturing jobs in a rural, mountain-town economy. For more information, visit alpackaraft.com

About Immersion Research
IR started in 1997 on a home sewing machine in our basement, and before too long we were running a small sewing factory in a renovated high school. Since then, we’ve grown a lot, and we now work in great factories all over the world. Now a time-trusted industry leader in paddlesports, producing the highest quality technical outerwear and gear for paddlers, by paddlers. We’ve never forgotten where we came from, nor have we lost our passion for making great gear on our own. We continue to produce small batches of experimental gear, completely in-house in Hood River, Oregon.