Marketer of #1 Italian EVOO to Sponsor Olympian Flavia Pennetta for US Grand Slam Event

Linden, NJ (August 8, 2008) -- Colavita USA announced plans to sponsor Italian tennis star Flavia Pennetta at the 2008 US Open, which begins August 25th and continues through September 7th at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing, NY. Pennetta, who recently defeated Venus Williams at the 2008 French Open, is currently ranked 18th in the world in women’s singles.

“We are thrilled to support Flavia at this important match,” said John J. Profaci, President of Colavita USA. “Our company is committed to sharing the best of Italy with the US market and Flavia is certainly at the top of her game.”

Born in the seaport city of Brindisi in the Apulia region, Pennetta, 26, began playing tennis when she was five and turned pro in 2000. Regarded as Italy’s top female tennis player and a rising star on the WTA professional tennis circuit, Pennetta will represent her country in women’s singles and women’s doubles at the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing.

A six-time member of Italy’s Fed Cup Team, Pennetta captured her sixth career Tour singles title earlier this year in Acapulco. She is also ranked No. 38 in the world in doubles, with three WTA titles.

Pennetta says she’s thrilled to partner with Colavita as she counts pasta among her favorite foods and applauds the company’s commitment to promoting healthy living through regular physical activity and sensible eating. Colavita has been a consistent champion for cycling, Italy’s favorite national pasttime, for many years. Italian nationals Davide Frattini and Luca Damiani are among the lead riders for the Colavita/Sutter Home Men’s Pro Cycling Team presented by Cooking Light, currently the #2 team in the US. Team Colavita ranks among the largest competitive cycling organizations in the world through sponsorship of the Colavita/Sutter Home Women’s Pro Team, 12 elite Team Colavita clubs which support 350 recreational cyclists throughout the US, a U23 racing team, and a junior development program.
Pennetta is the first tennis professional to join the ranks of the talented athletes who have partnered with Colavita. In 2006, Colavita USA was proud to collaborate with Silvia Fontana as she represented Italy in the figure skating competition at the Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy.