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BC, Canada (March 8, 2005) – 2004 Rider of the Year and
one of Outside Magazine’s “World’s 25 Coolest People,”
Race Face rider Darren “Bear Claw” Berrecloth has been nominated
to receive the Best Alternative Sportsperson of the Year Award at the 2005 Laureus
World Sports Awards. Recognized as the premier honors for the world’s
athletes, a nomination for the Laureus Award gives Bear Claw entry to an elite
club of international sports stars, including past nominees Shaun White, Laird
Hamilton, Tara Dakides, and past winners Dean Potter and Shaun Palmer.
Nominees are selected by a panel of over 400 leading sports journalists from
more than 70 countries, and the winners of each category are selected by a group
of 41 legendary athletes, including Michael Jordan, Emerson Fittipaldi and Martina
Navratilova.
Also nominated in the Best Alternative Sportsperson category this year are Norwegian
mountain bike racer Gunn-Rita Dahle, American wakeborder Dallas Friday, South
African explorer Mike Horn, British solo sailor Ellen MacArthur, and American
freeskier and BASE jumper Shane McConkey.
Invited guests at the Laureus Awards include the world’s top sportsmen
and sportswomen as well as international celebrities from around the worlds
of entertainment.
Recent domination of the freeride circuit, including a first place finish at
the 2004 Bike Magazine Monster Park Invitational, and the massive impact this
BMX convert has had on freeride mountain biking in general, with which Outside
Magazine credited him, “almost single-handedly radicalizing,” helped
to earn Bear Claw the Laureus nomination.
| By uncorking his BMX repertoire on unsuspecting competition, Bear Claw continues to add to a list of freeride competition victories and podium finishes that include a first place finish at the 2003 Whistler Invitational Slopestyle and a third at the 2002 Red Bull Rampage. His notable BMX finishes include a second place at the 2003 Austrian KOD and a fourth at the 2001 DK Dirt Circuit. He has appeared in the New World Disorder video series and been featured in ESPN The Magazine and Outside. Darren is supported by Race Face Performance Products, Specialized Bicycles, Manitou Suspension, Adidas Eyewear, Vans Shoes, Hayes Brakes and DaKine. Bear Claw will be traveling to the 2005 Awards Ceremony at the Casino Estoril, Portugal on May 16. The award ceremony will provide a fitting climax to two days of sports events which include the Laureus Golf Challenge, presented by Mercedes-Benz and English luxury men's brand dunhill, and the Laureus Beach Festival at Tamariz Beach and the Laureus Regatta in Cascais Bay. (We’re not exactly sure what those are but are confident that Darren will enjoy them) |
 Unleashing to Claw on unsuspecting Euros? I want to see the video. |
For more information on the 2005 Laureus Awards, visit laureus.com/awards.
About Race Face Performance Products:
Based in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Race Face Performance Products designs and manufactures leading-edge performance cycling components and clothing. Race Face products are distributed in more than 30 countries. The company sponsors a number professional teams and riders and is the creator of the Ultimate Freeride Challenge on-line freeride competition. For more information, visit the new raceface.com.
