The Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has reached a sponsorship agreement with Steven Nyman, a 24-year-old Alpine ski racer originally from Provo, and has "adopted" luger Preston Griffall, 22, of Salt Lake City. Both represented the U.S. at the 2006 Turin Olympics and currently are competing on the World Cup circuit, journeys that will enable them to spread the word about Salt Lake County throughout Europe.

"Since the 2002 Winter Olympics, Ski Salt Lake has been picking up momentum both nationally and internationally," said CVB President Scott Beck, referring to the bureau's joint promotion of the county's four ski resorts - Brighton, Solitude, Snowbird and Alta - under the Ski Salt Lake banner.

"Partnering with Steven [Nyman] is a great way to build name recognition in Europe," he added. "The fact that Steven's a Utahn and a 'Big Mountain' type racer fits in perfectly with our four resorts, known throughout the industry as home to many of the world's top big mountain skiers."

Nyman will race with the Ski Salt Lake logo on his helmet, space purchased for an undisclosed amount because of a secrecy clause in the sponsorship contract. Beck emphasized the funding comes from money the bureau raised from its private sector partners, not its publicly generated tax revenues.

Ski Salt Lake's potential for recognition is looking good, considering Nyman reached the podium with a third place finish in Friday's World Cup in Beaver Creek, Colo. His first-ever podium came a week after he was the top U.S. downhill finisher (17th) in a World Cup stop in Canada.

"To compete on skiing's biggest stage, the World Cup, is a dream come true," said a prepared statement from Nyman. "To do it while representing my home is a huge bonus. It will also keep me tied to my Utah roots and motivate me that much more knowing I'm representing my hometown resorts back in Salt Lake."

The CVB's relationship is a little different with Griffall, who finished eighth at the Turin Olympics with doubles luge teammate Dan Joye.

USA Luge has an "Adopt-an-Athlete" program that allows companies to establish ties with an Olympic-level or lower luger for a "support" fee, generally about $1,500 per year. For that, USA Luge spokesman Jon Lundin said, adopting companies are guaranteed that their athlete will visit them at least once a year - at a company picnic, for instance, or a "meet-and-greet" opportunity with employees in the office. Sponsors also receive regular updates on the luger's performance.

In Griffall's case, he spoke last week to a group of meeting planners who are considering bringing their organizations' future annual conventions to Salt Lake City. Griffall told them about luge, life on the World Cup circuit and his aspirations of medaling at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, then returned to the Utah Olympic Park bobsled/luge track for last week's World Cup competition

"The vast majority of Olympic-caliber athletes face many struggles during the year, not the least of which is proper funding in their quest to be one of the best in the world, particularly in non-mainstream sports such as luge," said Beck. "In adopting Griffall through its private sector funding, the Salt Lake CVB not only supports the 2002 Olympic legacy, but also one of its own."

The CVB has launched one other unique initiative to promote Ski Salt Lake. It is sending staff member Adam Barker, a lifelong Utah skier, up the Cottonwood canyons with a camera attached to his helmet to record a video blog of skiing conditions.

The video blog will be updated weekly, more often if conditions dictate. It can be seen at www.ski-saltlake.com.

mikeg@sltrib.com