Statement von Fila zum Rückzug vom World Inline Cup

[austinrover]

Oktober 2005

Fila Says World Inline Cup Didn't Provide Enough Visibility

Skate Maker Describes Pull Out as 'Vacation'

(Word leaked out during the Northshore Inline Marathon last month about Fila's decision to abandon the World Inline Cup in 2006. Fila's coach, Danilo Sinigaglia, said Fila could no longer afford the team's $200,000 U.S. annual budget. ... Below is Fila's official statement about the decision:)

Fila Team Takes Vacation

We, as Fila skates, were the last brand entering the inline skates market. Since the beginning we always coached and invested a lot in our speed team. Team members' dedication together with MGM new technologies, has been a tremendous winning machine. We dominated the last two seasons placing our athletes in the first and second place of the worldwide ranking, as well as in the most important international circuits.

The introduction of the 100mm wheels, made by Fila skates in 2002, gave impulse to the whole racing market, changing the standards.

Our goal has been reached, we obtained the deserved respect in the most difficult category of the inline market.

Unfortunately, the actual structure and organisation of the world inline cup is not granting a visibility proportional to the investment, therefore it is really difficult finding co-sponsors. Budget is not an unlimited resource and we feel the need to invest in other categories. Fila Skates international team takes now some vacation to let space to other initiatives.

We leave as winner, for this reason we officially thank all our great athletes and the team manager, Ippolito Sanfratello. Their performance and dedication made possible the dream come true.

[RedBaron]

Schade, Innovation wird eben leider nicht mehr immer damit belohnt, daß die Marke auch entsprechenden Absatzanstieg erzielt.
Im Fitneß- und Allroundbereich haben K2 und Rollerblade anscheinend geschäftlich mehr Erfolg und dort wird wohl der entscheidende Gewinn gemacht.
Tecnica hatte vor Jahren auch die besten Highend-Schuhe auf dem Markt und verschwand sang- und klanglos.
Mit meinen 5x80 FILA bin ich immer noch zufrieden. Rollerblade Lightning 10 ist aber auch super am Fuß.

Hoffentlich ist der Rückzug von FILA nicht der Anfang vom Ende des speedskating sponsoring. Das wäre traurig für das gesamte inlineskating weil die Spitzenteams doch irgendwie das Salz in der Suppe sind.