Fila Explains Decision to Leave World Inline Cup

Racing News:

Fila Says World Inline Cup Didn't Provide Enough Visibility

(2005 Fila Team ... photo: Fila)

Skate Maker Describes Pull Out as 'Vacation'

(Word leaked out during the Northshore Inline Marathon last month about Fila's decision to abandon the World Inline Cup in 2006. Fila's coach, Danilo Sinigaglia, said Fila could no longer afford the team's $200,000 U.S. annual budget. ... Below is Fila's official statement about the decision:)

Fila Team Takes Vacation

We, as Fila skates, were the last brand entering the inline skates market. Since the beginning we always coached and invested a lot in our speed team. Team members' dedication together with MGM new technologies, has been a tremendous winning machine. We dominated the last two seasons placing our athletes in the first and second place of the worldwide ranking, as well as in the most important international circuits.

The introduction of the 100mm wheels, made by Fila skates in 2002, gave impulse to the whole racing market, changing the standards.

Our goal has been reached, we obtained the deserved respect in the most difficult category of the inline market.

Unfortunately, the actual structure and organisation of the world inline cup is not granting a visibility proportional to the investment, therefore it is really difficult finding co-sponsors. Budget is not an unlimited resource and we feel the need to invest in other categories. Fila Skates international team takes now some vacation to let space to other initiatives.

We leave as winner, for this reason we officially thank all our great athletes and the team manager, Ippolito Sanfratello. Their performance and dedication made possible the dream come true.

(posted on Oct. 3, 2005)