Russian stars ski with the poles of a Finnish brand – Here’s the explanation

Andreas Bennert is behind 4Kaad. Photo from 2015. PASI LEISMA

Several Russian national team stars ski with the poles of a brand with a Finnish background.

Based on the material published on social media, 4Kaad brand poles are used by at least the Olympic champions Alexander Bolshunov, Natalia Terentyeva (formerly Nepryaeva), Denis Spitsov, Julia Stupak and Veronika Stepanova.

Several Russian skiers have poles, but not all.

If the image does not appear, you can look its here.

4Kaadi’s background is German-Finnish Andreas Bennertwhose company was the equipment manufacturer One Way, which went bankrupt in the late 2010s.

In Finland, 4Kaad products are sold by Nordic Passion oy. Nordic Passion and 4Kaad have the same address in Helsinki.

Bennert is a board member of Nordic Passion, and his spouse Ulla is a deputy member. Ulla Bennert initially did not want to open up to Iltalehte about the end of the sticks for the Russian national team.

– There is really nothing to comment on, Bennert said by phone.

However, he clarified the matter later with a text message. According to the company, 4Kaad poles have ended up in Russia through the international branch of the pole brand, i.e. a Chinese company.

– All I know is that they (the Russians) have bought the rods from 4Kaad International, which is a Chinese company. In Finland, Nordic Passion has 4Kaad products for sale and a license to make products in Finland and Europe, Iltalehte was informed.

– We in Finland at Nordic Passion have no part in the matter.

Address in China

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4Kaad says in its marketing that it is Scandinavian and Nordic, but it has offices in Hong Kong and Xiamen in addition to Helsinki.

4Kaad is one of the partners of the Russian Ski Federation, which is mentioned on the website of the federation. Among the equipment manufacturers, Atomic and Salomon are also on the list.

– They (the Russians) have the latest skis from Fischer, Rossignol and Atomic. Like many of Swix’s rods, it is said to be from Nordic Passion.

Sweden is skiing with 4Kaad poles in the World Cup Jens Burman and representing Ireland Thomas Maloney Westgaard. Among Finnish skiers, this brand is used, among other things Anni Alakoski.