Quiksilver, the leading brand in boardriding, today announced that the inaugural “Quiksilver Natural Selection: All-Mountain Freestyle Invitational at Jackson Hole” snowboarding event will be held from January 30 to February 5, 2008 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
This innovative event is the brainchild of Quiksilver athlete and one of today’s most versatile and accomplished snowboarders, Travis Rice, who envisioned a competition that removes the constructs of snow parks and half-pipes, and instead uses a natural-terrain course to bring out the best in riders’ style and technique.
Travis, who is also an avid filmmaker, has posted a personal video announcement about the event.
To ensure fresh, untracked snow, the event extends over a seven-day “holding period” beginning
on January 30, with the two days of actual competition to be determined by natural forces. The idea is to hold out for the best possible powder conditions so riders can carve fresh tracks. “We’ll leave the course design to Mother Nature and let riders express themselves in an unpredictable measure of true, raw talent,” said Travis. “To succeed here, riders must embrace the mountain on its own terms and get after it with respect, grace, artistry and fun. This is the return to the soul and roots of riding.”
According to Quiksilver CEO Bob McKnight, the event’s goal is more than to simply showcase riding.
“This competition is about stripping away anything unnecessary, and exploring the basic, instinctual and powerful balance between mountain and rider,” said McKnight. “Travis and the riders hope the Natural Selection will emphasize this aspect of the sport and return an organic, soulful approach to competition.”
17 Riders – Seven Days – One Mountain
While the event will feature an exclusive field of 17 riders handpicked by Travis coming together to test their skill in an all-natural setting, it’s also an opportunity for the leaders of snowboarding culture to congregate in the name of fun. “The event is less about ‘winning’ and more about the world’s best riders pushing each another in a setting that requires each to be at the absolute top of their game,” said Travis. “But this is also a chance to stop in the middle of the competition season, get together and have fun. Plain and simple – just like we all used to do before turning pro.”
Details of The Quiksilver Natural Selection
– Features an exclusive field of 17 riders handpicked by Travis Rice, one of the most respected top-tier competitors in the world and winner of multiple X-Games medals
– The week-long event places equal importance on the community aspect of the gathering of riders at one of the nation’s most storied mountains
– Big mountain invitational with Freestyle and Slopestyle elements
– Seven-day “holding period” to ensure fresh powder, snow quality and conditions
– Two full days of competition in two areas: Dick’s Ditch and Casper Bowl
– $75,000 in prize money with creative contest bonuses and payouts
– The event will be aired on a special webcast on Quiksilver.com
List of Event Riders
Travis Rice
DCP
Danny Kass
Gigi Ruf
John Jackson
Bryan Iguchi
Nicolas Müller
Kyle Clancy
Roman De Marchi
Hampus Mosesson
Mark Carter
Devun Walsh
Mark Landvik
Bjorn Leines
Andreas Wiig
Sammy Lubke
David Benedek
The Quiksilver Natural Selection is made possible by a network of partners: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, SoBe, and Hotel Terra
