Kalle Leinonen becomes figurehead of Halti’s Freeride Collection 3.12.2008

Kalle Leinonen, one of Finland's most internationally successful Freestyle skiers and winner of two Half Pipe World Championships, is strengthening Halti's team of partner athletes. Kalle brings a youthful stimulus from the world of new-school skiers to Halti's team of piste skiers and outdoor specialists.

The goal of this cooperation on Halti's side is to strengthen links to the young virtuosos who weave their magic on two skis in pipes and boxes. Leinonen, on the other hand, will challenge Halti's product design to take freestyle skiers' wishes, clothing and trends into account when creating downhill skiing products.

Through his cooperation with Halti, Kalle will receive his own Halti "Kalle Leinonen" Collection, bearing his own name. The collection, which will arrive in the shops in autumn 2009, will initially consist of two different outfits, with accessories to match. The product names will originate from the Freeride genre, where the terms Blunt, Bluff and Ledge take on meanings of their own.

Kalle hopes that in future, the collection will also sport a kaleidoscope of colours, perhaps in shocking combinations, with matching details in skis and goggles. Freeride skiers also prefer clothing that's designed with a loose fit.

The multi-year agreement between Halti and Leinonen also aims to create opportunities for Kalle's future success in the world. The high-school graduate from the town of Ylöjärvi in Western Finland sums up his future objectives as follows: "To ski as well as possible".

Halti, which has just been rated Finland's Most Respected Sports Clothing Brandi*, has supplied clothing to outdoor enthusiasts since 1976. Over time the business, which began with hiking and outdoor products, has also taken Halti into the world of winter clothing. This coming summer, Halti will, for example, be the main clothing supplier to the 2009 Alpine World Ski Championships in Val d'Isere, France.