Aker BioMarine and the Norwegian Ski Federation have entered a long-term agreement that will bring the country‘s cross-country skiing stars and the dietary supplement Superba™ together on the same team.

"Cross-country skiing is an old and proud Norwegian tradition. Aker is one of the oldest industrial companies in the country. Our new dietary supplement, Superba™ Krill, is healthy and good for people‘s general well-being. We are now ready to compete on the world stage, so this partnership is a perfect match for a long-term collaboration," says Kjell Inge Røkke, the current CEO of Aker BioMarine.

The deal was announced on Monday February 16 in Liberec in the Czech Republic, where the world championship starts later in the week.

Petter Northug with Superba Krill

The agreement initially covers the men‘s national team until after the Vancouver Olympics in 2010. The intention is to extend the agreement to after the world championships in Oslo in 2011 and beyond and to widen the partnership to also include the women‘s team.

"We partner with the Norwegian Ski Federation and become associated with a strong and well established brand with healthy and positive values," says Mr Røkke.

"I am proud and pleased to get Aker on the team and look forward to generate positive results together with them towards the Vancouver Olympics in 2010 and the Oslo world championships in 2011," says Åge Skinstad, who is responsible for cross country activities within the Norwegian Ski Federation.

The cross country stars will take part in marketing campaigns for Superba™ Krill and Aker BioMarine will also be able to communicate with the federation‘s 160 000 members.

The partnership will also entail testing of the skiers‘ omega-3 levels and development.

Read more about the next generation of omega 3 at superbakrill.com

On the same team

"Many of us have hearts beating for the ski sport, and Superba™ Krill is good for the heart, brain, skin and joints. We are proud to be on the same team as the Norwegian Ski Federation and the cross country stars, and look forward to document if Superba™ will boost the omega-3 levels also for the ultra-fit sports stars," says Dr Hogne Vik, executive vice president for research and documentation in Aker BioMarine.

Krill is a shrimp-like crustacean that lives in the cleanest waters in the world in Antarctica. Superba™ Krill contains omega-3 phospholipids that are not found in traditional fish oil. Phospholipids improve the body‘s uptake and utilisation of omega-3. Preliminary clinical findings on healthy humans show encouraging results.

"Eating healthy and getting the right nutrition is important to everyone working in sports. Omega-3 is good for everyone. It will be interesting to work with Aker BioMarine on Superba™ Krill. We can learn from each other," says Mr Skinstad.