Latest news with #WorldLongDrive
Winnipeg Free Press
29-04-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
US Figure Skating hires sports executive Matt Farrell as CEO amid the run-up to the 2026 Olympics
U.S. Figure Skating has hired Matt Farrell as its CEO, tasking the longtime sports executive with leading the governing body into an Olympic year in which the American team will be favored to win gold in multiple disciplines at the Milan-Cortina Games. The organization announced his hiring on Tuesday. The 56-year-old Farrell spent 13 years as the chief marketing officer for USA Swimming, along with two stints working for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. He more recently served as the executive director of World Long Drive and started his own marketing firm, Farrell Sports, with several clients involved in the Olympic movement. 'I'm incredibly honored to step into this role at such an exciting time,' Farrell said. 'There's a fresh sense of momentum and possibility across the sport. In the months to come, I'm eager to collaborate with our amazing athletes, passionate fans and dedicated partners to keep growing the community we all care so deeply about.' Earlier this year, the U.S. took gold at the world championships in Boston in three of the four disciplines for the first time in its history. Ilia Malinin won his second consecutive men's title and is the prohibitive favorite for the 2026 Olympics, while the ice dance duo of Madison Chock and Evan Bates also will be favored after winning their third straight world title. The big surprise was Alysa Liu, a member of its 2022 Olympic team who returned from a nearly two-year retirement to become the first American woman in nearly two decades to stand atop the podium at the world championships. Then, earlier this month, Liu delivered a flawless free skate to help the U.S. win its sixth gold medal at the World Team Trophy in Tokyo, making the Americans the favorites to defend their gold medal in the team event at the Winter Games. The Americans won two gold medals and a bronze at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, but they haven't won more than three figure skating medals at any Winter Games since taking four when they hosted in Squaw Valley in 1960. 'It's clear that Matt brings the expertise and vision needed to lead U.S. Figure Skating through the lead-up to the 2026 Olympics and beyond,' said Sam Auxier, who had been serving as the interim CEO ever since Tracy Marek resigned last October, and who will resume his role as board president. 'His proven leadership within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement, combined with his deep knowledge of the sports industry and bold, strategic thinking will help accelerate the sport and the organization into a new era of growth and success.' ___ AP sports:
Fox Sports
29-04-2025
- Business
- Fox Sports
US Figure Skating hires sports executive Matt Farrell as CEO amid the run-up to the 2026 Olympics
Associated Press U.S. Figure Skating has hired Matt Farrell as its CEO, tasking the longtime sports executive with leading the governing body into an Olympic year in which the American team will be favored to win gold in multiple disciplines at the Milan-Cortina Games. The organization announced his hiring on Tuesday. The 56-year-old Farrell spent 13 years as the chief marketing officer for USA Swimming, along with two stints working for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. He more recently served as the executive director of World Long Drive and started his own marketing firm, Farrell Sports, with several clients involved in the Olympic movement. 'I'm incredibly honored to step into this role at such an exciting time,' Farrell said. 'There's a fresh sense of momentum and possibility across the sport. In the months to come, I'm eager to collaborate with our amazing athletes, passionate fans and dedicated partners to keep growing the community we all care so deeply about.' Earlier this year, the U.S. took gold at the world championships in Boston in three of the four disciplines for the first time in its history. Ilia Malinin won his second consecutive men's title and is the prohibitive favorite for the 2026 Olympics, while the ice dance duo of Madison Chock and Evan Bates also will be favored after winning their third straight world title. The big surprise was Alysa Liu, a member of its 2022 Olympic team who returned from a nearly two-year retirement to become the first American woman in nearly two decades to stand atop the podium at the world championships. Then, earlier this month, Liu delivered a flawless free skate to help the U.S. win its sixth gold medal at the World Team Trophy in Tokyo, making the Americans the favorites to defend their gold medal in the team event at the Winter Games. The Americans won two gold medals and a bronze at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, but they haven't won more than three figure skating medals at any Winter Games since taking four when they hosted in Squaw Valley in 1960. 'It's clear that Matt brings the expertise and vision needed to lead U.S. Figure Skating through the lead-up to the 2026 Olympics and beyond,' said Sam Auxier, who had been serving as the interim CEO ever since Tracy Marek resigned last October, and who will resume his role as board president. 'His proven leadership within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement, combined with his deep knowledge of the sports industry and bold, strategic thinking will help accelerate the sport and the organization into a new era of growth and success." ___ AP sports: recommended in this topic
Associated Press
29-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
US Figure Skating hires sports executive Matt Farrell as CEO amid the run-up to the 2026 Olympics
U.S. Figure Skating has hired Matt Farrell as its CEO, tasking the longtime sports executive with leading the governing body into an Olympic year in which the American team will be favored to win gold in multiple disciplines at the Milan-Cortina Games. The organization announced his hiring on Tuesday. The 56-year-old Farrell spent 13 years as the chief marketing officer for USA Swimming, along with two stints working for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. He more recently served as the executive director of World Long Drive and started his own marketing firm, Farrell Sports, with several clients involved in the Olympic movement. 'I'm incredibly honored to step into this role at such an exciting time,' Farrell said. 'There's a fresh sense of momentum and possibility across the sport. In the months to come, I'm eager to collaborate with our amazing athletes, passionate fans and dedicated partners to keep growing the community we all care so deeply about.' Earlier this year, the U.S. took gold at the world championships in Boston in three of the four disciplines for the first time in its history. Ilia Malinin won his second consecutive men's title and is the prohibitive favorite for the 2026 Olympics, while the ice dance duo of Madison Chock and Evan Bates also will be favored after winning their third straight world title. The big surprise was Alysa Liu, a member of its 2022 Olympic team who returned from a nearly two-year retirement to become the first American woman in nearly two decades to stand atop the podium at the world championships. Then, earlier this month, Liu delivered a flawless free skate to help the U.S. win its sixth gold medal at the World Team Trophy in Tokyo, making the Americans the favorites to defend their gold medal in the team event at the Winter Games. The Americans won two gold medals and a bronze at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, but they haven't won more than three figure skating medals at any Winter Games since taking four when they hosted in Squaw Valley in 1960. 'It's clear that Matt brings the expertise and vision needed to lead U.S. Figure Skating through the lead-up to the 2026 Olympics and beyond,' said Sam Auxier, who had been serving as the interim CEO ever since Tracy Marek resigned last October, and who will resume his role as board president. 'His proven leadership within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement, combined with his deep knowledge of the sports industry and bold, strategic thinking will help accelerate the sport and the organization into a new era of growth and success.' ___ AP sports:
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US Figure Skating hires sports executive Matt Farrell as CEO amid the run-up to the 2026 Olympics
U.S. Figure Skating has hired Matt Farrell as its CEO, tasking the longtime sports executive with leading the governing body into an Olympic year in which the American team will be favored to win gold in multiple disciplines at the Milan-Cortina Games. The organization announced his hiring on Tuesday. Advertisement The 56-year-old Farrell spent 13 years as the chief marketing officer for USA Swimming, along with two stints working for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. He more recently served as the executive director of World Long Drive and started his own marketing firm, Farrell Sports, with several clients involved in the Olympic movement. 'I'm incredibly honored to step into this role at such an exciting time,' Farrell said. 'There's a fresh sense of momentum and possibility across the sport. In the months to come, I'm eager to collaborate with our amazing athletes, passionate fans and dedicated partners to keep growing the community we all care so deeply about.' Earlier this year, the U.S. took gold at the world championships in Boston in three of the four disciplines for the first time in its history. Ilia Malinin won his second consecutive men's title and is the prohibitive favorite for the 2026 Olympics, while the ice dance duo of Madison Chock and Evan Bates also will be favored after winning their third straight world title. The big surprise was Alysa Liu, a member of its 2022 Olympic team who returned from a nearly two-year retirement to become the first American woman in nearly two decades to stand atop the podium at the world championships. Advertisement Then, earlier this month, Liu delivered a flawless free skate to help the U.S. win its sixth gold medal at the World Team Trophy in Tokyo, making the Americans the favorites to defend their gold medal in the team event at the Winter Games. The Americans won two gold medals and a bronze at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, but they haven't won more than three figure skating medals at any Winter Games since taking four when they hosted in Squaw Valley in 1960. 'It's clear that Matt brings the expertise and vision needed to lead U.S. Figure Skating through the lead-up to the 2026 Olympics and beyond,' said Sam Auxier, who had been serving as the interim CEO ever since Tracy Marek resigned last October, and who will resume his role as board president. 'His proven leadership within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement, combined with his deep knowledge of the sports industry and bold, strategic thinking will help accelerate the sport and the organization into a new era of growth and success." ___ AP sports:
USA Today
13-03-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Pinnacle Distance golf balls
Pinnacle Distance golf balls If you want more yards off the tee, the official ball of World Long Drive can now be in your bag. Gear: Pinnacle Distance golf balls Price: $19.99 for 15 Specs: Two-piece, Surlyn-covered balls available in white and yellow Available: March 15 Who it's for: Golfers who want more distance off the tee and a budget-friendly price. What you should know: This ball, which is now the official ball of the World Long Drive event, is designed to add yards off the tee. The deep dive: If you look up the word 'Pinnacle' in the dictionary, you will see a definition along the lines of 'a lofty peak' or 'the highest or culminating point.' In the golf world, Pinnacle is a golf ball brand known for low-cost, durable, distance-oriented balls. Pinnacle has been offering the Rush and the Soft balls for a few seasons, but many golfers are unaware that Pinnacle is owned by Acushnet, the company that also owns Titleist, the maker of the most-played balls in the world, the Pro V1 and Pro V1x. Thursday, Acushnet announced that Pinnacle has partnered with World Long Drive (WLD), and the new Pinnacle Distance ball, which replaces both the Rush and Soft, will be the official ball at World Long Drive events. The company also announced that it has partnered with Sean Johnson and Jack Smith, the No. 1 and No. 4-ranked players in WLD. The partnership came about after Acushnet talked with golfers and sales reps in late 2023 and early 2024 and tried to learn more about the priorities for golfers who bought distance- and value-enhancing balls. The resounding message was that while Pro V1 and Pro V1x golfers may want things like more greenside spin, enhanced control and speed, golfers in this category prioritize distance above every other playing quality. Consistency and value are important, but they want a ball that really moves off the tee. So, the decision was made to discontinue the Pinnacle Soft, and Pinnacle Distance takes the place of Rush. The ball has a large, high-energy rubber core, a Surlyn cover, and features a design with a 322 icosahedral dimple pattern. It should create a penetrating, distance-enhancing ball flight for golfers and provide more distance through the fairway with hybrids and irons as well. Offered in both white and yellow and sold in boxes of 15 for $19.99, the cost per ball for the Pinnacle Distance is $1.33 each, which is $3.25 less per ball than the Pro V1 or Pro V1x ($54.99 for a box of 12).
