Dane Spencer and Wade Bishop officially sign with Elan USA

Dane Spencer and Wade Bishop officially sign with Elan USA{mosimage}Elan USA officially announced the signing of U.S. Ski Team members Dane Spencer and Wade Bishop today, extending an aggressive push into the American ski racing market.

Bishop and Spencer join slalom specialist Chip Knight, rounding out Elan’s U.S. Ski Team athletes with national team athletes in all events. Elan expects these athletes will put Elan skis and bindings in the limelight and on the podium this season.

Elan is better known for its slalom and giant slalom skis, but having two top American speed racers in their stable should help them change that.

Dane Spencer, a 2002 Olympian, focuses on super G and giant slalom. The Idaho native’s first World Cup was in 1996. Until this spring, he was Bogus Basin’s only representative on the alpine national team (now Erik Fischer has joined him).

Wade Bishop is the 2003 Nor-Am downhill title-holder. According to Elan’s press release, the Winter Park native “has overcome crashes, injuries and setbacks, proving that he takes the risks to find the speed.” This August, Bishop plans to test Elan’s speed skis in Chile, with the help of U.S. Ski Team serviceman Andy “Octane” Baillargeon.

‘We are excited to have these racers as part of our push into the World Cup and U.S. Ski Team,” says Daniel Gustafsson, Elan USA Race Director. “These athletes work incredibly hard and are great role models for our younger athletes.’