Unequal Turns Bright Gold for Sochi 2014 Winter Games

GLEN MILLS, Pa., Jan. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As qualifiers make final preparations for the winter games in Sochi this February, athletes in snowboarding, slopestyle, ski cross, hockey and bobsled have turned to Unequal Technologies' highly protective, ultrathin sports gear for an additional edge in competition. In halfpipe snowboarding, Australia's 2010 Olympic gold medal winner Torah Bright and U.S. siblings Arielle and Taylor Gold trust Unequal supplemental padding in their helmet, on their body and in their boots. In men's hockey, U.S. goalie Ryan Miller's mask is fortified with Unequal. U.S. ski cross champion John Teller wears Unequal in his helmet and on his body. U.S. snowboard slopestyle athlete Ty Walker won't compete without Unequal in her helmet.

Born in battle, built for sport, Unequal with ART^™ – Acceleration Reduction Technology – is a patented, military-grade composite fortified with Kevlar^®, distinctive green Accelleron^™ and optional ImpacShield^™. From supplemental head padding to insoles to spine, rib and customized butt pads, Unequal protective gear helps reduce the risk of injury by absorbing and dispersing impact energy away from the body in ways that foam and plastic do not. 

"Unequal congratulates all the athletes headed to Sochi on their selection to compete on the world's largest stage," said Unequal CEO Rob Vito. "They know they can't afford to be sidelined by falls or injuries, and it is heartening to know that those wearing Unequal trust us to protect them more when it matters. We take their trust seriously and provide the best protective gear available, customized for each athlete's needs."

Arielle, 17, and Taylor Gold, 20, have been wearing Unequal for two seasons. "Competing in the halfpipe is all about confidence and being able to get up and go again after a fall. I was sold after my first wipeout wearing Unequal. You feel the difference when you fall. There is nothing else out there like it," said Taylor Gold.

"Unequal gives me the confidence to push the envelope and go bigger in the halfpipe. It is surprisingly so thin but protects better than anything I have ever experienced. I love this stuff," said Arielle Gold.

"Talking about how good Unequal is is one thing. Walking away from a hard crash is everything. I never practice or compete without it in my helmet and on my body," said Australian Torah Bright. Bright, 27, will also compete in the new snowboard slopestyle event and possibly snowboard cross, if there are enough withdrawals prior to competition.

Ryan Miller, a professional NHL goalie with the Buffalo Sabres, led the U.S. men's ice hockey team to a silver medal as MVP at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Miller's mask has been customized by Warwick Mask & Equipment to include Unequal-reinforced protection. Unequal has also been involved in comprehensive product testing with the U.S. bobsled team to help them meet various protection needs.

In addition to athletes bound for Sochi, Unequal is worn by professional athletes in the NFL, MLB, NHL, X Games, action sports and by thousands of collegiate and amateur athletes. Unequal manufactures protective sports gear for the head, body and sole. To learn more about Unequal products or Unequal Technologies, visit Unequal.com.

About Unequal Technologies
Unequal Technologies' mission is to protect people in the military, sports, work and life. Its patented fusion of a military-grade composite fortified with Kevlar^®, Accelleron^™ and optional ImpacShield^™ is engineered for personalized, concealed protection. The leading provider of supplemental protection technology, Unequal is committed to help reduce blunt force trauma generated by sports and military impacts. Professionals in the NFL, MLB, NHL and X Games, as well as thousands of collegiate and youth athletes in football, baseball, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, action sports, contact sports and other activities, wear Unequal's protective head and body gear. Unequal owns 85 international and U.S. patents and patents pending and its products have been tested by independent, certified laboratories, OEM facilities and top universities. Unequal is recognized as a Forbes' 100 Most Promising Companies, ESPN's Top 15 Best Sports Innovations, the No. 1 tech innovation of 2013 by Esquire.com and for the DuPont^™ Kevlar^® Innovation Award.

Remember, head and body protection are the second line of defense. Being careful and responsible is the first priority. Helmet and body pads do have limitations. No helmet pad can prevent or eliminate the risk of concussions or other serious head injuries while playing sports. Scientists have also not reached agreement on how the results of impact-absorption tests relate to concussions. No conclusions about a reduction of risk or severity of concussive injury should be drawn from impact-absorption tests. Unequal products are not bulletproof, bullet-resistant, stab-resistant or stab-proof. Obey the rules and code of conduct of each sport, game or activity. Use common sense and practice safe sports. For more information, visit unequal.com.

SOURCE Unequal Technologies