Say it ain't so! Less than two weeks after the 2009 Winter Games of Idaho were canceled due to the lack of sponsorship, the struggling economy has claimed it's latest snow sports victim, 48 Straight. The 48 Straight Tour, which had planned events in Telluride, CO among other venues, met its untimely end after the principal sponsor Jeep pulled its sponsorship. Jeep, along with the other "Big Three" American auto makers General Motors and Chrysler, was hit particularly hard by the latest economic downturn and appears to be depending on a government rescue package to stave off bankruptcy. Given the current economic client for auto makers, it is understandable that 48 Straight might face some challenges in reprising the tour this year.
The suffering economy has claimed its latest victim and while it wasn't another portion of the housing sector, it was an event that made many proud to call Idaho home. KTVB Boise is reporting that due to a drop in sponsorship brought about by the weak economy, the 2009 Winter Games of Idaho have been canceled.