Latest Update: December 5, 2000

Captain Morgan Sponsors US Snowboard Team

(WARNING: the following is a PRESS RELEASE which means it could include all kinds of hair brained, corporate machinations. Beware!)

NEW YORK, and PARK CITY, Utah, Dec. 5 -- The United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) has announced that Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum will be its exclusive distilled spirit sponsor for USSA's 2000-2001 season and title sponsor of the new Captain Morgan Freestyle Adventure.

"Captain Morgan, who first came to life in February 2000 when we launched the Captain Morgan for President campaign, is pleased to bring his message of responsible, fun and adventure to the USSA freestyle skiing tour," said Scott Geisler, Director-Global Marketing Events and Public Relations, Seagram Spirits and Wine Group. "There could be no better fit for this brand than a sport that captures not only the Captain's penchant for the daring, but the most exciting social scene at more than 5,000 feet."

Captain Morgan will make his debut December 10, 2000 in Winter Park, Colorado, as a title sponsor of The Captain Morgan Freestyle Adventure, a series of three freestyle ski competitions. The two other events in the series are scheduled for Sunday River, Maine, on January 27, 2001; and in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire on March 17, 2001. The tour will feature events in dual moguls, big air and ski halfpipe competition for selected elite-level athletes in conjunction with USSA's domestic freestyle World Cup and U.S. Championship events.

"In developing world-class athletes, one of our goals is to bring some exciting, new TV and spectator-friendly events into our sport world to attract new interest in freestyle skiing," said USSA President and CEO, Bill Marolt. "The Captain Morgan Freestyle Adventure will add some real spice to our freestyle tour across the USA."

In addition to the event sponsorship, Captain Morgan will work to ensure that people of all abilities have the opportunity to experience the thrill of skiing, through its support for skiers with disabilities. A donation will be awarded to the U.S. Disabled Ski Team in the name of the winner of the 'Captain Morgan Original Spiced Run Award' -- an honorary award personally selected by The Captain at each of the three Captain Morgan Freestyle Adventure events.

"This brand is about fun and good times. We at Seagram are very pleased to support the efforts of the USSA Foundation in promoting the enjoyment of the sport for all," said Geisler.

As part of the sponsorship agreement, Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum will have category exclusivity and usage rights of USSA logos and marks, including the U.S. Ski Team. In addition to its title sponsorship of the Captain Morgan Freestyle Adventure, Captain Morgan will receive on-site sponsorship of six World Cup and U.S. Championship events, which includes a broad range of print advertisement commitments.

About Seagram Spirits & Wine Group

Captain Morgan is one of the fastest growing brands in the U.S. today, selling 2,500,000 million 9-liter cases last year. Introduced in 1983, Captain Morgan developed the flavored rum segment bringing consumers a splash of the unexpected. Earlier this year, Captain Morgan introduced an on-line retail store at http://www.rum.com offering branded merchandise and also ran his first television commercials to support his bid for President of the United States.

In addition to advertising, the brand is supported with extensive on- and off- premise programs as well as event marketing. The Captain Morgan family is comprised of Original Spiced, Silver Spiced, Private Stock and Captain Morgan's Parrot Bay.

About USSA

The United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) is the national governing body for Olympic skiing and snowboarding. Over 100,000 athlete members, parents, coaches, volunteers, officials and supporters help to create a positive environment for athletic success. USSA's management and staff coordinate a nationwide program in six distinctly different disciplines - alpine skiing, cross country, disabled alpine and cross country, freestyle, ski jumping and nordic combined and snowboard.