Vt. business crafts Olympic medal-winning oars

MORRISVILLE, Vt. (WCAX) – Some Olympians are rowing their way to gold in Paris, and the oars they’re using might be made in Vermont.

Concept 2 is an exercise equipment company based in Morrisville.

They’re also the market leader on carbon-fiber oars, and were even the first company to come out with carbon-fiber oars for racing.

The oars made their Olympic debut back in the 1980 Moscow games. This year Olympic athletes from across the globe competing in sculling and sweep rowing events are largely using these made-in-Vermont carbon-fiber oars.

Boasting a nearly perfect track record, Concept 2 says they’re incredibly proud of the team making them. “It’s super cool when you just see this product that’s handmade in Vermont,” said the company’s James Halnon.

“We are extremely proud of the work that they do every day, the craftsmanship that they put into every single oar, the quality is outstanding. And to see it used on an international stage is really impressive,” said Concept 2′s Kate Smith.

Concept 2 says 100% of all medals in sculling, 98% of all rowing-related medals, and seven of eight gold medals were won using their products.

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