Friday, March 15

Red Bull Snowthrill Ready to Go.

Press Release

Chris Davenport (USA), Kaj Zackrisson (SWE), Guerlain Chicherit (FRA), Hugo Harrison (CAN), and Anne Cattelin (FRA)-all considered top names in their respective nations in freeskiing-are the first five athletes to be invited to compete in the 2002 Red Bull Snowthrill of Alaska. All five have accepted their invitations and are in the process of choosing photographers.

For the first time in the history of skiing, the 2002 Red Bull Snowthrill of Alaska will introduce the photographic element into competitive freeskiing. Twelve of the best competitive freeskiers in the world (8 men and 4 women) invite the shooter of their choice. The teams are then given a predetermined amount of heli time, and a mandate to create the most mind-blowing ski photography ever seen.

The competition will take place March 23-30 in Haines Alaska. A jury of photo editors from the top ski magazines around the world will judge each team's submissions in five categories: Best Powder Shot, Best Fly on the Wall, Best Sequence, Best Alaskan Lifestyle, and Best Air. $3,000 USD will be awarded to the winner in each category. A champion's award for Best Male and Female, worth $4,500 USD will be picked by past Freeskiing World Champions. The most coveted of the awards will be the $6,000 USD People's Choice Award, voted on by the public throughout the winter at www.redbullsnowthrillofalaska.com and awarded at the 2003 Powder Magazine Poll and Video Awards.

The field represents possibly the strongest and most well-rounded representation of skiing ever assembled for a freeskiing competition. Collectively the group holds multiple Freeskiing World Tour titles and World Extreme Skiing Championships, medals from the Core Games and Winter X Games, 24 Hours of Aspen titles, and Madmasters Skiercross Championships.