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25.09.2008 | London, England
LONDON TO HOST UK’S HIGHEST EVER ‘BIG AIR JUMP’, USING REAL SNOW, IN LANDMARK WORLD CUP WINTER SPORTS EVENT
The UK’s biggest ever winter sports and music festival, Freesports on 4 FREEZE Sponsored by LG kicks off on Thursday 23rd October with Battersea Power Station transformed into an international standard snowboarding and freeski venue. For the first time, London hosts a snow-based World Cup event featuring the biggest names from the world of snowboarding as well as a talent-packed International Freeski Event. The event, produced by Sports Vision, will be transmitted on Channel 4 at a date to be confirmed.

Standing at over 30m in height from the top of the structure, with a drop of 17m from the end of the ramp to the landing area, the real snow big air jump will form the central hub of the competition and will be the biggest ever created in the UK - the equivalent of seven double decker buses stacked on top of each other! The overall length from the top of the jump to the landing strip will be 100m, creating a unique winter sports venue with one of London’s most famous landmarks as a backdrop.

The snowboard competition, entitled LG London Big Air Event, forms part of the LG FIS World Cup for snowboarders and the riders taking part can score crucial ratings points in their quest to become World Champions, whilst also improving their chances to qualify for the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010. Olympic silver medalist Danny Kass is just one of a host of legendary names taking part in the event.

The International Freestyle Ski Event will feature some of the world’s most accomplished skiers, including multiple Winter X Games Gold Medal winner Tanner Hall, who will be competing for the £15,000 prize fund.

The festival will also see the Big Air qualifying event, featuring the Worlds as well as the UK’s finest talent competing for precious FIS points to compete in the main event, the LG London Big Air. The homegrown competitors will also have an eye on the Winter Olympics
Elsewhere the sporting arena will showcase a UK-only affair in the Battle of Britain (BOB), where the UK’s best in ski and snowboard will fight for the BOB title. The last sporting event will be the final leg of the UK-wide LG FREEZE Air Bag Tour- an area dedicated to finding the most creative skiers and snowboarders in the UK who will rely upon a 14m x 8m air bag to catch them.

Andrew Topham, Events Director at Sports Vision, the event producers commented: “We are very excited that FIS have sanctioned England’s first ever snow-based World Cup event. UK fans have an incredible opportunity to see the world’s best snowboards and skiers competing on the biggest snow jump ever produced in the UK. This will make for a unique sporting spectacle in Central London.”
Marcel Looze, Snowboard Race Director at the sport’s official global body FIS commented: “FIS is glad to welcome a new venue to the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup circuit. Being able to finally organise the first ever World Cup in the UK which has a big snowboard market and interest already is simply great. We look forward to the Big Air at Battersea Power Station and are happy that also some of the biggest names will enter the competition.”

British snowboarding star Dan Wakeham who will be competing at FREEZE commented: “It is amazing news about the London Big Air, and I really look forward to competing against the world’s best in front of a home crowd. This is a huge boost as I begin my preparations for the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver in 2010.”As the sun sets on the snow jump, the music festival will come to life with an amazing array of acts lined up to play throughout the evenings in the 10,000 capacity arena. Confirmed to appear are indie anthem giants The Enemy, Cardiff rockers The Automatic, New Wave Hollywood exports Iglu & Hartly as well as The Cuban Brothers and The Anomalies. Completing the highly anticipated first announcement is Haunts, Cage The Elephant, Trouble Andrew, Les Gars, Annie Mac (DJ)I Say Marvin and Underground Heroes.

Headlining on Thursday 23rd October is Hip Hop/ Funk outfit The Cuban Brothers. Having began cruising the UK club scene with their passionate attitude to partying and performing, the Brothers quickly moved up the ranks reaping huge respect world over. Their unique and comedic approach to live shows is the perfect ice breaker for an action packed 4 days at FSO4 Freeze.

Fans wishing to attend the event are advised to visit www.londonfreeze.com where tickets range from £9.99-£59.99. Children under the age of 5 go free.



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:: source : step-on press