Barilla Extends Partnership With U.S. Alpine Skiing Star And 2014 Olympic Gold Medalist Mikaela Shiffrin

Shiffrin is the current reigning Olympic, World Cup and World Champion in slalom; Began relationship with Barilla in 2012 at age 17

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Barilla

Sep 30, 2015, 07:00 ET

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Sept. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Barilla®, maker of Italy's #1 brand of pasta, is proud to extend its partnership with U.S. Ski Team stand-out Mikaela Shiffrin for the 2015-2016 ski season.

The 20-year-old alpine skier, who will continue to wear Barilla's® iconic logo on her helmet, returns to the slopes after an extremely successful 2014-2015 campaign, which saw her become the youngest slalom gold-medalist in Olympic alpine skiing history. She also won her third-consecutive World Cup slalom title last year. Shiffrin is set to begin her World Cup slalom defense on October 24, in Solden, Austria.

The newly announced extension between Barilla® and Shiffrin marks the fifth-year of a partnership based on shared values.

"It's been a tremendous privilege to support Mikaela and to be there as her skiing career took incredible flight over the past few years," said Melissa Tendick, Vice President Marketing, Region Americas at Barilla®. "Mikaela is a wonderful ambassador for the Barilla® brand, and demonstrates the positive benefits of good nutrition. Our hope is that athletes at every level – including today's youth – will consider including pasta in their diets as a sustainable energy source."

Shiffrin routinely integrates Barilla® ProteinPLUS™ into her diet, often pairing pasta with vegetables or additional sources of protein.

"I make sure to eat balanced meals, including a portion of pasta every day," Shiffrin said. "It's easy to add dairy and veggies for a quick, easy, delicious and nutritious meal any time. With my rigorous training and travel schedule, I need a protein rich meal that I can easily cook no matter where I am – which is why I love Barilla® ProteinPLUS™."

"I'm very proud to have the continued support of Barilla, which is a great, family-owned company. I've been part of the Barilla® family since 2012 – which has been amazing!"

Explore Mikaela's Tumblr Travel Log at www.Barilla.com/mikaelashiffrin.

For product information, healthy pasta recipes, tips and more, visit at www.Barilla.com or join Barilla® on Facebook at Facebook.com/BarillaUS.

ABOUT BARILLA
Created in Parma in 1877 out of a shop that made bread and pasta, Barilla is today among the top Italian food groups, a world leader in the pasta and pasta sauce businesses in continental Europe, bakery products in Italy, and the crispbread business in Scandinavia. Currently, the Barilla Group owns 30 production sites (14 in Italy and 16 abroad) and exports to more than 100 countries. Every year, its plants turn out around 1,700,000 tons of food products that are consumed on tables all over the world, under the following brand names: Barilla, Mulino Bianco, Voiello, Pavesi, Academia Barilla, Wasa, Harrys (France and Russia), Misko (Greece), Filiz (Turkey), Yemina and Vesta (Mexico).

At Barilla, food production is guided by three essential principles: product quality, commitment to nutritionally-balanced eating, and, of course, flavor – the unmistakable hallmark of the Barilla brand name. To maintain these standards, Barilla Group engages in extensive research and development that helps produce the best products, while always considering the concerns and needs of customers. Barilla Group also operates with respect for the environment and consumer health, and serves as a helpful, caring partner in the communities in which it operates.

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SOURCE Barilla