The North Face Team Welcomes Harrington, Segal

THURSDAY, 24 JANUARY 2008

SAN LEANDRO, California - The North Face, the world's premier supplier of authentic, innovative and technically advanced outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear, today announced climbers Emily Harrington and Matt Segal have joined its athlete team. The North Face has a team of more than 40 professional athletes which includes rock climbers, mountaineers, skiers, snowboarders and endurance runners.

"Matt and Emily embody the passion of The North Face," said Joe Flannery, VP of Marketing. "They are poised to become the world’s next generation of outdoor icons."

Emily Harrington, 21, has been climbing for 10 years and boasts an impressive list of achievements. She started as a member of the USA Junior Climbing Team in 1998 and has been a member of the USA Climbing Adult Team since 2004. In 2007, Emily became the second female American to climb 5.14b and she finished second in the Sport Climbing World Championships in 2005. She is currently the only American, male or female, consistently placing in the top five on the World Cup circuit. While busy accumulating these athletic achievements, Emily also graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor's Degree in International Affairs in 2007.

"Aligning with The North Face allows me to help the sport of climbing progress internationally on both youth and adult levels," said Emily. "I am inspired by those who try hard and have passion for what they do."

Matt Segal, 23, transitioned from the white sandy beaches of southern Florida, thus earning him the nickname "Miami Vice Grip," to the mountains of Colorado. He worked his way through the competitive scene and began to earn a name for himself due to his natural talents on the wall as well as his outspoken nature elsewhere. He began the transition from comp-killing youth to budding rock talent. Matt established the first 5.14 climb in Colorado's El Dorado Canyon, with The Iron Monkey. He continues to explore boundaries, both for himself and the sport, always seeking a three-pointed balance between the progression of his ethics, spirituality, and the sport he loves so much.

"I am psyched to be alongside athletes who are constantly raising the bar in regard to difficulty and style," said Matt. “The North Face has supported my climbing for the past few years, and being able to take it to the next level is exciting."

About The North Face®
The North Face, a subsidiary of VF Corporation, was founded in 1968. Headquartered in San Leandro, California, the company offers the most technically advanced products in the market to accomplished climbers, mountaineers, snowsport athletes and explorers. The company's products are sold in specialty mountaineering, backpacking and snowsport retailers, premium-sporting goods retailers and major outdoor specialty retail chains. Additional information about The North Face® can be found on the company's website, www.thenorthface.com.

Source:
www.climbing.com