February 2nd, 2008 will see the premiere of the Billabong Air & Style Quarter Pipe Innsbruck in the legendary Bergisel Stadium in Austria. The event is considered one of the biggest and most prestigous snowboarding contests in the world. It started with the first Air & Style at this very place, no less than 15 years ago. This coming February, 24 of the best snowboarders in the world will return to this special venue to write the next chapter of the sport’s history.
Along with Billabong Teamriders Antti Autti (FIN), Risto Mattila (FIN) and Scotty Lago (USA) true legends of the sport such as Terje Haakonsen (NOR) and 3-times Air & Style Champion Stefan Gimpl from Austria will compete for the €50.000 in prize money. Also riding for glory and their share of the cash will be young and promising snowboarders such as Iouri Podladtchikov (RUS), Arthur Longo (FRA) or Mason Aguirre (USA).
120 tons of steel and 4,000 cubic meters of snow will be necessary in order to build the 12,20m (40 feet) Quarter Pipe inside Bergisel Stadium located on a hill above the beautiful city of Innsbruck. After dropping in into the 38 degree landing hill of the skijump that is used as an in-run, the riders will reach up to 100km/h (62mph).
In it’s first year the Billabong Air & Style Quarter Pipe Innsbruck 2008 will be sanctioned as a 5* event (maximum 6*) by the snowboarding governing body, Ticket to Ride (TTR).
“It is an honour for Billabong to be part of the return of Air & Style to Bergisel Stadium”, says Reid Pinder, Brand Manger Billabong Europe. “Even though it is an inaugural event as a Quarter Pipe contest, this venue has such a big meaning to so many people who love the sport of snowboarding. For Billabong it feels natural to get involved with something that combines the history and the future of snowboarding in such a unique location. We are looking forward to a great event with the world’s best snowboarders.”
Apart from record breaking snowboarding action the Queens of the Stone Age will perform as musical headliner of the night.
Tickets for the Billabong Air & Style Quarter Pipe Innsbruck 2008 are already available for €29 (plus ticket service charge). They will be available online through oeticket or on the Air & Style website. Don’t miss it!
