Aker Solutions has entered a collaboration agreement with partners Team Aker Dæhlie and GB Snowsport to together develop cross-country skiing and promote performance and inclusiveness beyond the realms of sport.
Team Aker Dæhlie is the first private ski team to compete at the highest level in Ski Classics and FIS-sanctioned races that includes athletes from Ski Classic, FIS/All-round, Paralympic XC-skiing and younger age groups.
GB Snowsport is the National Governing Body for Snowsports in the UK. They manage and develop programs to put British World Class skiers and snowboarders onto World Cup Podiums and win Olympic and Paralympic medals.
The collaboration initiative is founded on the premise of Beyond, emphasizing the importance of performance beyond the realm of sports. As ONE Team achieving together, Team Aker Dæhlie and GB Snowsport seek to solve the challenges related to the lack of equal opportunity to achieve in the sport of skiing. Through inclusiveness, challenging the status quo and leading the way, the teams will spearhead a holistic approach, including athletic development, health and career guidance.
“We are excited and proud to join Team Aker Dæhlie and GB Snowsport in promoting values that are equally important across business and sports alike,” said Kjetil Kristiansen, executive vice president and head of People and Organization at Aker Solutions. “We know that successful project execution is about diversity, inclusiveness and teamwork, and that employee well-being and health is the core for building a sustainable high-performance organization. I hope this collaboration will be an inspiration for us in Aker Solutions and beyond to address and solve challenges related to diversity, inclusiveness and health.”
“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity, made possible by Aker Solutions, to collaborate with Team Aker Dæhlie which will help remove barriers to success in skiing,” said Vicky Gosling, chief executive officer of GB Snowsport. “We are passionate about creating an inclusive environment and providing athletes with the support and guidance necessary to achieve the best possible performance. We are always keen to work with likeminded partners and look forward to partnering with Team Aker Dæhlie as ONE Team, focusing on performance beyond the realm of sport.”
Aker ASA and Dæhlie Sportswear in June 2022 established Team Aker Dæhlie and the groundbreaking Beyond concept. VI Stiftelsen is an important and visible partner to the Beyond initiative. Founded by Aker and Kjell Inge Røkke, VI Stiftelsen works to ensure that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to master and perform through one sport.
