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Dave Fleming taking the bus at Freezride '02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RED BULL FREEZRIDE RETURNS TO BIG MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT IN MONTANA
MORE DYNAMIC COURSE WILL CHALLENGE RIDERS IN THIS WINTER SLOPE-STYLE
MOUNTAIN BIKE EVENT
Whitefish, MT ? December 19, 2002 ? Between February 14-16th,
2003 one of the most inventive free-ride mountain bike events, Red Bull Freezride,
returns to Big Mountain Resort in Whitefish, Montana for its second year. Bringing
together the elements of free-ride mountain biking and technical park riding
in a snow-covered environment, this winter slope style and jib park event will
challenge an assembled core crew of pro and semi-pro riders. The course will
feature a variety of natural and urban obstacles riders can utilize to showcase
their skills. Drawing from the semi-pro and amateur hotbed of the northwest,
scouts are currently seeking out local new faces and established riders to join
hand-selected pros in an all out throw down. A total of 54 riders will compete
in qualifying rounds, a coveted 36 will advance to the final rounds for a chance
to throw it all on the line.
SPIKES OPTIONAL? THE COURSE
This year's course will be designed by Shaums March, one of the
top American downhillers and designer of the Winter X-Games biker-cross courses,
and Montana-based mountain bike standout, Russ Skiver. "The course will
challenge the all the riders technically, physically and mentally," says
March. "It will give the riders a chance to test their
creativity: they will have to figure out their line, do tricks, and keep the
judges in mind. This will be the craziest display of rubber on snow since the
Dukes of Hazard Christmas special!"
The dynamics of the course will allow for different lines and
options with varying riding levels. Riders will be able to utilize the full
scope of the North Shore style jib park, which will feature wall hits, kickers,
loops, rollers, North Shore skinny planks, and even a school bus set in pure
Rocky Mountain snow at Big Mountain Resort. The start area will be
approximately 100 feet higher than last year and will serve as the start for
both divisions. There will be a "pro only" start gate and a semi-pro/amateur
start gate, semi-pros and amateurs can choose from either one.
STYLE COUNTS ? JUDGING
Unlike traditional mountain biking events that are judged on time, competitors of Red Bull Freezride will be judged on style, technique, and overall fluidity throughout their respective runs. Five style judges and seven technical judges will evaluate the rider's run through the course. During each run the rider is required to hit a minimum of seven obstacles. The obstacles will be scored according to a point scale ranging from 1-15. Each rider will be judged on his/her technical ability and style on the obstacle. By offering a wide range of options down the course, each rider will be able to choose their own line, allowing them to determine the difficulty level of their run.
THE SCHEDULE
Schedule is subject to change. Qualifier and finals will be run day and/or evening depending on weather conditions. (Check redbullfreezride.com for schedule changes, updates and directions.)
February 14-16, 2003
Friday, February 14th:
Open practice 10:30-2:30 pm
Qualifier round 5:00-7:00 pm
Mandatory staff/athlete meeting 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 15th:
Course walk through/open practice 8:00-9:30 am
Qualifier round 9:30-noon
Qualifier round 12:30-3:30 pm
Open practice 5:00-7:30 pm
Sunday, February 16th:
Open practice 9:00-9:30 am
Final rounds 9:30 am-1:30 pm
Course open for photo ops 1:30-3:30 pm
EVENT CONTACT
Event
Brandie Hardman
406-728-5639
Brandie.Hardman@us.redbull.com
Media
Josh Kendrick
310.460.5254
Joshua.Kendrick@us.redbull.com
Pro Athlete/event contact
Shaums March
805-570-3330
madmarchracing@aol.com
For more event info. go to redbullfreezride.com
& Big Mountain Ski Resort bigmtn.com
To obtain publishable, high res. images from Red Bull Freezride 2002 sign up in the press area on redbullfreezride.com. Enter the event code RBIB03 when requested and you will be given access to a PDF version of the press release and photos.