Fans can design Vonn's Olympic helmet

US Ski and Snowboard November 18, 2009

VAIL, CO (Nov. 18) - Fans will have a chance to design the Olympic helmet of World Champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO). NBCOlympics.com invites fans to join in the Countdown to Vancouver and participate in the "Design Lindsey's Helmet" contest, beginning November 23. Vonn, one of the most successful alpine skiers in U.S. history, is challenging fans to convince her that their artwork is what she wants to feature on her helmet while soaring down the slopes during the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

"This is your chance to be with me in Vancouver," said Vonn. "Whether you're an aspiring graphic designer or just someone who likes to doodle all day, it doesn't matter if you snow plow down the bunny slopes, tree-ski in waist deep powder, or just hang in the lodge, I want to see your designs."

To enter the contest, fans as young as 13 years old can log on to NBCOlympics.com/lindseys-helmet/ and enter original artwork by December 21. A team of judges will narrow the submissions down to a final three designs, which will be showcased on NBCOlympics.com the first week of January. Fans will then have the opportunity to log on and vote to help Lindsey decide on the winning design.

The voting closes on January 11 with the winner to be announced in late January. The grand prize winner for the "Design Lindsey's Helmet" contest will be awarded a trip for two to Vail, one of the world's top ski resorts. Prizes also include a pair of Head skis and bindings and a Uvex helmet and goggles.

"Now that the World Cup season has started, I'm getting very excited for the Olympics," said Vonn. "I really wanted to do something that allowed my fans to share in my Vancouver experience, and this is what I came up with. I'm looking forward to seeing what people create for my helmet."

In support of the contest, NBCOlympics.com is undertaking several different promotional tactics to alert fans about the challenge, including online ads that will run on the web site, 30 second-spots to run on NBC and Universal Sports, and a grassroots campaign designed to reach out to art and design schools across the country as well as online and print-based lifestyle media outlets.

Vonn is coming off a second place finish in the opening Audi FIS World Cup slalom last weekend in Levi, Finland. She is continuing to train at Vail's Golden Peak in anticipation of the Aspen Winternational World Cup coming up Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 28-29. Friday (Nov. 20) she will takes questions from kids in a live Webcast from 5:00-6:00 p.m. MT at LindseyIsEpic.com.

Fans can follow the Vancouver Bound Vonn all season long at usskiteam.com, or get insider news through the Team's new Fan Club.