PARK CITY, Utah (January 20, 2016) — POC, a leading manufacturer of skiing and cycling helmets, apparel and accessories, has earned 2016 ISPO Awards in the ski protection category for two of its upcoming products. The Spine VPD 2.0 Airbag Vest has been named a Gold Winner, ISPO’s highest honor, and the POC Layer protective base layer has been named a Category Winner.

“We are honored to receive these awards from ISPO in recognition of some of our most ambitious work to date,” says Stefan Ytterborn, POC CEO and founder. “The Spine VPD 2.0 Airbag Vest and POC Layer exemplify our commitment to do the best we can to possibly save lives and reduce the consequences of accidents for gravity sports athletes and cyclists.”

ISPO, the international exhibition for sporting goods, athletic footwear and fashion, is Europe’s leading trade show for the outdoor industry. 

POC developed the Spine VPD 2.0 Airbag Vest, which uses integrated sensors and a precise algorithm to detect a crash, with French engineering firm In & Motion. When a crash is detected, the airbag inflates in 100 milliseconds to provide protection for the neck, chest, spine, abdomen and hips. 

“We have been exploring the potential of smart protection, new technologies and intelligent systems for a number of years,” says Ytterborn. “The Spine VPD 2.0 Airbag Vest is a major step forward in the evolution of skier safety.” 

POC Layer allows alpine racers to customize the area and level of protection based on the specific needs of each alpine event. It combines POC’s VPD System impact absorbing material and Dyneema®, an extremely strong, flexible and lightweight material, to protect against impact, abrasion, puncture and lacerations. 

Both winning products will debut in North America at the SIA Snow Show in Denver, January 28-31. 

POC will introduce its full Winter 2016/2017 line at SIA in Denver, including two new helmets, the Auric Cut and Auric Pro. Designed for freeride and park-and-pipe skiers and snowboarders, each helmet incorporates a multi-impact EPP liner for protection against repeated crashes. The Auric Pro takes multi-impact protection a step further by adding a layer of impact absorbing VPD 2.0 to dampen low-to mid-energy hits. 

Rounding out the new additions to POC’s 2016/2017 collection is a new line of mittens and gloves designed specifically for park-and-pipe riders. 

POC’s collection will be on display at booth no. 3350 at SIA. For media appointments at please contact Patrick.king@backbonemedia.net. 

### 

About POC: POC is a Swedish company with a strong mission to do the best we can to possibly save lives and to reduce the consequences of accidents for gravity sport athletes and cyclists. More information at www.pocsports.com.