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01.03.2007 | Laax, Switzerland
SWATCH O’NEILL BIG MOUNTAIN PRO 2007
CLEARED FOR TAKE-OFF
The Swatch O’Neill Big Mountain Pro 2007 is
bang on target for its scheduled launch date, with
recent fresh snowfalls over the European Alps ensuring
the best snow conditions of the year for what will
be the inaugural edition of this new and innovative
freeride contest.
16 of the world’s best snowboarders and skiers
are currently making their way to the Swiss ski
resort of Laax, where the Take-off Party will kick
off the event in style on 1st March 2007. The confirmed
competitor start list for the snowboarders includes
the likes of 5-time Big Mountain Rider of the Year
Jeremy Jones, Austrian Mitch Toelderer and freestyle
killers Stefan Gimpl, Jules Reymond and Jonas Emery.
Legendary US freerider Steve Klassen will hope his
vast experience makes the difference, while Xavier
de la Rue and Cyril Neri are widely considered solid
outside bets.
The starting list for the skiers, meanwhile, sees
Sweden’s Kaj Zackrisson and Sverre Liliequist
competing against the likes of Switzerland’s
Phil Meier and Loris Falquet. Unfortunately, Canada’s
Hugo Harrisson is unable to compete due to injury,
and has been replaced by US freeskier Cody Townsend.
Outnumbered 7 to 1 by the European contingent, Townsend
will be hoping to take the title back across the
Atlantic come the end of the week. However, France’s
Thomas Diet and Switzerland’s Evariste Berney
will be standing firmly in his way.
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By adopting
an innovative mobile contest format, the Swatch
O’Neill Big Mountain Pro 2007 promises
to give these exceptional riders and skiers
the very best snow conditions and terrain
on which to showcase their talent. The pre-existing
snow pack and recent fresh dumps have encouraged
organizers to consider the Western Swiss Alps
as a very strong potential arena for the opening
days of the contest window. Other contenders
include Austria’s Arlberg region, the
Swiss areas of Grand St Bernhard (Verbier)
and Graubünden (St Moritz/Davos), as
well as Chamonix – widely recognized
as the spiritual home of freeriding. The final
decision will be made on (Day – 2) during
the event.
Nicolas Hale-Woods, event organizer, is eagerly
looking forward to seeing what these world-class
athletes are capable of, adding: “Winter
has finally arrived to bless the Swatch O’Neill
Big Mountain Pro! We’re all super-stoked
about the strength of the starting list. We’re
sure to witness some epic action from the
more established freeriders right through
to the new wave of freestyle-oriented big
mountain explorers including Jules Reymond
and Thomas Diet.” |
With 3 competition days set to unfold
on 3 different mountains during the course of a
10 day contest window, plus a prize purse totaling
60,000 euros, the Swatch O’Neill Big Mountain
Pro 2007 promises to revolutionize the world of
freeride snowboarding and skiing competition. Riders
and skiers will judge one another at the end of
the week via video playback in the Austrian city
of Innsbruck, determining who made the best overall
impression.
Live webcasts of all the mind-blowing
action will be available on www.bigmountainpro.com
between 14.00-16.00 daily. Should the technical
infrastructure in the area not permit live webcastings,
these will be delayed until later in the afternoon.
Please check the website for an updated schedule
and details.
Take off Party:
Laax – 1st March 2007
In the Lobby of the Riders Palace
Doors open at 10pm, Free Entry
Live: “Pussywarmers” (Rockabilly)
Beats and Visuals: “Round Table Knights”
Contest Window (3 contest days in total):
2nd-10th March 2007
Riders’ Awards & Closing Party:
Innsbruck – 10th March 2007
@ the “Hafen”
Innrain 149
6020 Innsbruck
Doors open at 9pm, Entry: 8 Euro
Giant screen with best of Big Mountain Pro action.
Live: “Grandfey” (Rock)
Beats and Visuals: “Round Table Knights”
www.bigmountainpro.com
www.swatch.com
:: source : swatch press
    
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