“It’s great proof that our team has been able to build a ski that works. A ski like that would never have been built without a competent team.”–Harri Kirvesniemi, CEO of KSF Sport.
NATO’s recent acceptance of Finland in the organization is paying dividends for a cross-country skiing company. YLE News reports that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has ordered thousands of cross-country skis from KSF Sport. The contract between the two sides, which is valued at three million Euros, will give 8200 skis at Kainuu and Jäger Brigades.
According to YLE News, “the all-white skis with special quick-release metal bindings are wider than many cross-country skis available to the public, and the end of each ski is reinforced with aluminum for protection during transport.”
The CEO of KSF Sport, Harri Kirvesniemi, is kinda a big deal in Finland. He was a professional cross-country skier from 1980 to 2001, he became a world champion and won six bronze medals. His career ended in controversy, but he remains beloved in his home country.
The order will create five new full-time jobs. Previously, they’ve had to force workers to take time off during the slow summer months. Now, they can keep everyone on throughout the year.
They’re also planning to sell a pair of NATO skis to the public, which they’re planning to release this fall.
Image Credits: KSF Sport, NATO, Harri Kirvesniemi (Pictured above)
