Quiksilver and Rice create comp at Jackson

Forget Parks, Rails and Pipes: Travis Rice To Host 17 of World's Best Snowboarders in Test of Skill on Natural Terrain

Quiksilver 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 on Quiksilver's website: www.quiksilver.com/naturalselection
 
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.

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 Luebke
David Benedek quiksilver.com
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