Mont Saint-Sauveur
ca
Sébastien Toutant has his eye on the prize; a fourth title earning him $20,000 of the total $50,000 purse Montreal, March 7, 2012
The tradition lives on, as the Ride Shakedown presented by Videotron, the biggest international slopestyle snowboarding competition in the country, will be back for an 11th edition at Mont Saint-Sauveur on March 30 and 31, 2012.
Again this year, this great event that celebrates the arrival of spring will host 40 of the world’s best riders, including Ride Shakedown triple winner Sebastien Toutant, who recently earned the silver medal at the first Ticket To Ride (TTR) World Snowboarding Championships (WSC) in Oslo, Norway.
In recent months, the snowboarder from L'Assomption also earned the bronze medal at the X-Games, a prestigious competition at which he had been decorated in gold a year earlier. The famed rider, nicknamed Seb Toots, will have to face professional athletes eager to dethrone him. Among these riders are Quebecers Matt Kulisek, winner of 2 US Ride Shakedowns, and Alex Cantin (Ride Snowboards Pro rider), as well as the iconic Eiki Helgason from Iceland and American Ride Shakedown veterans Zak Hale and Yale Cousino. With the added knowledge that the purse has increased from $ 35,000 to $ 50,000 – $20,000 of which go to the big winner, riders will be even more motivated to dazzle the crowd. In 2011, an estimated 25,000 spectators were present at Mont Saint-Sauveur. “When it comes to my calendar, the Ride Shakedown is an absolute must,” maintains Sébastien Toutant. “The competition among athletes is friendly and the jam format is well-liked. I love the atmosphere set out by the crowd of thousands, especially since my family and friends are among them. The caliber of the competition is great and the increased purse will definitely attract even bigger names in slopestyle snowboarding.”
In addition to professionals, 80 amateurs will also have the opportunity to take on the best. Part of the amateur selection is a result of various qualification events that take place throughout the season in Quebec; others have signed up online. Both the schedule for official qualification events and amateur registration forms are available by means of the event website: www.rideshakedown.com.
“Year after year, the Ride Shakedown has expanded while preserving its main purpose; to promote snowboarding and its athletes to the largest possible audience,” declared Brendan O’Dowd, co-founder and co-organizer of the Ride Shakedown alongside Patryck Bernier. “Once again this year, we intend to make it a memorable experience for the athletes thanks to the electrifying atmosphere created by the fans and the rail feature that will, as always, be one of a kind. As for spectators, they can take full advantage of the partner village, Videotron LED big screen, and of course, spectacular performances provided by snowboard professionals.”
Ride Shakedown presented by Videotron 2012 event schedule Friday, March 30, 2012
08:00 – 09:30 Registration for Oakley amateur qualifications / Coors Light Rail Jam
10:00 – 12:00 Oakley amateur qualifications
Heat A 13:00 – 15:00 Oakley amateur qualifications
Heat B 15:30 – 16:00 Qualifying riders announced
16:00 – 17:00 Coors Light Rail Jam qualifications
17:00 – 18:30 Course Maintenance 18:30 – 20:30 Coors Light Rail Jam
20:45 – 21:00 Award Ceremony
22:00 Ride Shakedown Coors Light Afterparty (18+)
Saturday, March 31, 2012 12:00
13:00 Snowboard Canada autograph session with professional athletes
14:00 – 16:00 Ride Shakedown semi-final
17:00 – 18:00 Halftime show (pro skateboard on the ramp setup)
18:00 – 19:00 Course Maintenance 19:30 – 21:00 Ride Shakedown Final
21:30 – 22:00 Award ceremony
22:00 Ride Shakedown Coors Light Afterparty presented by Volcom – Live show by MUTE (18+) -Mont Avila Bar
22:00 Final stop of the Ride Shakedown Bar Tour presented by Coors Light (18+) - Bourbon Street North (Ste-Adèle)
The Ride Shakedown presented by Videotron on TVA Sports, illico and Sportsnet The Ride Shakedown 2012 presented by Videotron at Mont Saint-Sauveur will also be featured in your living room thanks to TVA Sports and Sportsnet, our two partner broadcasters. Thus, the Ride Shakedown 2012 highlights show will be broadcasted on TVA Sports April 19 at 7 pm, and the English version will be on Sportsnet April 17 at 7 pm. You can also now browse through the Ride Shakedown exclusive section on Videotron’s three platforms (illico TV, illico mobile, and illico web), where you will find highlights shows from 2006 to 2011, the Ride Shakedown documentary also presented on TVA Sports March 29 at 7:30 pm, and the all new Top 10 best tricks and falls since 2002. For full details on all of these broadcasts, head to www.illicoweb.tv/rideshakedown
Unique competition format What makes the Ride Shakedown such a hit and cut above the rest is its unparalleled competition format. Seen as a huge snowboarding festival both for the forty-some international athletes and the 80 amateurs, the Ride Shakedown offers a unique competition format with minimal constraints on the athletes. The competition requires a mastery of two distinct disciplines: the jump (Big Air) and an original rail feature unveiled only on the first day of competition. Placed at the heart of the action, the public benefits from an accessible yet breathtaking show.
Partners of the Ride Shakedown presented by Videotron The 11th Canadian edition of the Ride Shakedown is made possible thanks to the support and participation of Ride Snowboards, title sponsor, Videotron, event presenter, Mont Saint-Sauveur, Empire, Oakley, Coors Light, Rockstar, as well as XtraSlush, Shakedown MFG, POP Headwear, Snowboard Canada Magazine, Push.ca, Boa, MOOG Audio, 33mag.com, Slash Magazine, NRJ, Consignaction, Troublemakers, Vans and Schick.
Follow us on your social networks: Twitter: www.twitter.com/RideShakedown Flickr: http://rideshakedown.com/iQwMa Facebook: www.facebook.com/RIDESKDW YouTube: http://rideshakedown.com/MkiQe Website: www.rideshakedown.com
Vimeo: http://rideshakedown.com/kWjaQ Hashtag: #RIDESKDW
MEDIA ACCREDITION: Any media representative wishing to attend the event should complete the accreditation form online at http://canada.shakedown.ca/en/mediaAccreditation.html
They are also encouraged to contact Josiane Bétit at 514 831-0276 to request an interview or additional information.