Dahlonega, Ga. – October 06, 2026 -- RefrigiWear, a manufacturer of insulated industrial workwear with more than 70 years in extreme-cold apparel, announced it will serve as official cold-weather gear sponsor for Team USA Ice Carving ahead of the 2027 International Ice Sculpture Competition in Harbin, China.
RefrigiWear joins a four-sponsor lineup backing Team USA's Harbin bid
The company joins Carveco, a computer-aided design software provider for artistic carving; Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead; and Blue Sky Law as official sponsors of Team USA Ice Carving. RefrigiWear will supply durable cold-weather apparel intended to keep the team's sculptors protected during extended work sessions in sub-freezing conditions.
Team manager Jim Duggan brings three decades of competitive carving experience
Jim Duggan, founder and creative director of Ice Sculpture, Inc., leads the team and has competed at the Ice Art World Championship in Fairbanks, Alaska. Duggan said he has worn RefrigiWear gear in his business for roughly 20 years, citing its comfort in freezing work environments as a factor in keeping carvers focused during competition rather than on cold-weather safety.
Aaron Costic adds Olympic cultural-event medals to the roster
Ice sculptor Aaron Costic, a multiple World Ice Art Championship winner, has represented his craft at four Winter Olympic cultural events, placing fourth in Salt Lake City, bronze in Nagano, silver in Milan and gold in Torino. Costic said the team will repeatedly practice carving techniques ahead of competition and that protective gear allows artists to concentrate on execution rather than exposure.
Harbin's annual competition draws international sculptors to its Ice and Snow World venue
The 2027 event continues Harbin's established tradition of international ice-carving competition, with teams working large ice blocks under extreme winter conditions. The most recent edition of the competition was held at Harbin Ice and Snow World.
RefrigiWear positions the sponsorship within its industrial safety mission
Leigh Stadelmeier, an OSHA Authorized Construction Trainer and Vice President of B2B Outdoor Sales at RefrigiWear, said the company was built for workers who continue operating as temperatures drop, calling Team USA Ice Carving a natural fit given the combined pressures of time, cold and international competition the artists will face in Harbin.