Jaunted

Seattle-based Alaska Airlines announced Tuesday it was sponsoring short-track speed skater and 'Dancing with the Stars' winner Apolo Ohno, a native of the Seattle area, in the run-up to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C... 'My racing career started in Vancouver, and that experience changed my life,' Ohno said. 'Coming back to my roots in the Pacific Northwest to compete for my sixth medal is especially meaningful, and it is an honor to partner with my hometown airline in the most important race of my life.'

Seriously, this hurts. "An honor to partner with my hometown airline?" Really? And before you think we're overreacting, understand that the press release also included the phrases "humble upbringing" and "Alaska Spirit" as metaphors for Alaska's "on-time performance." We didn't quote those parts because, well, we like you.

Anyway. In the hope that the Winter Olympics will get more attention next time then they did last time—or at least that Ohno will get more visibility in Seattle—Alaska has gone ahead and orchestrated this deal. Mazel tov to everyone involved.

[Photo: Noelle Neu (http://ohnozone.net) / Wiki Commons]

Related Stories:
· Seattle-based Alaska Airlines sponsoring skater Apolo Ohno [SeattlePI Blogs]
· Seattle Travel Coverage [Jaunted]
· Airline News Coverage [Jaunted]