O’Neill Europe is proud to announce the signing of freestyle signorina Mariapia Ghedina. The 24-year-old joins the O’Neill European Rookie Team on a multi-year sponsorship deal and underlines Italy’s status as a true breeding-ground for new freestyle talent.

With the support of O’Neill on her side and with the snowboard playground of Cortina D’Ampezzo on her doorstep, Mariapia is already focused on cementing her reputation as one of Europe’s most promising female riders. The young Italian joins close personal friends on the team, and is clearly looking forward to making a big impression in 2007.

She said: “Hooking up with O’Neill is a dream come true, I’m super-stoked to be part of one of the strongest female teams in the world. Now I’m really looking forward to putting a rock-solid video part together, and also competing in a few contests in Europe this winter. It’s going to be so much fun! Yeah!!”

Franck Corbery, O’Neill Europe team manager, sees this latest addition to the Rookie ranks as an important step forward for the brand: “Mariapia’s arrival into our European Rookie Team is the latest step in our plans to reinforce the on-snow presence of our female crew. Besides her dope riding ability and super-smooth style, Mariapia’s all about having fun on the mountain and getting the job done – and that’s an approach everyone here at O’Neill can appreciate. Leading the charge across the southern European countries with the likes of fellow teammate Caroline Beliard, we’d like to welcome Mariapia to the team,” he said.

Knowing her phenomenal appetite for snowboarding and unquenchable thirst for progression, there’s every chance you’ll be hearing big things about Mariapia Ghedina in 2007. To find out more about Mariapia and the rest of the O’Neill team, drop by www.oneilleurope.com and check out the team section.