CHINA’S ONLY INTERNATIONAL SNOWBOARD CONTEST ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF RED BULL, $25,000 IN PRIZE MONEY AND A 4-STAR TTR STATUS!

Beijing CHINA – November 26, 2007 – The Nanshan Open, the first snowboard contest in China, has announced the return of Red Bull as the official sponsor for the second year in a row.  The annual professional snowboard competition is to be held at Nanshan Ski Resort January 5th and 6th, 2008 for the sixth consecutive year.

As the title sponsor of the Nanshan Open, Red Bull will once again receive title ownership as well as will be fully integrated in the marketing efforts of one of the most media generating sporting events in the country.  The contest has gained mass recognition after its 5 years of success, not to mention induction into the TTR World Snowboard Tour. 

“We are more than excited to have Red Bull back as the main sponsor of the Nanshan Open,” said Steve Zdarsky, Mellow China CEO.  “We are now on our 6th year and have experienced continuous growth and this year will be no different.  Red Bull is the perfect partner to support our initiatives to continue to be the best event in China and we will cooperate and aim to push snowboarding in China even further”.

New for this season is a 4-star TTR status, which means riders will not only be battling for a whopping 25,000 American dollars in prize money, but also accumulative points which will ultimately name one snowboarder the best in the world.  Ticket to Ride (TTR) is the governing body of the top events worldwide and pays out $250,000 to the rider in the top spot.  Live music will also be an attraction on the Gibson stage with well-known national acts headlining the event making the Nashan Open the snow party event of the season.

As the worlds most sought after energy drink, Red Bull has taken the initiative to support athletes and sports that are relevant to the passion, activation and self-expression of the brands image.  With the local growth of snowboarding in China, the sport fits perfectly into the “breakthrough the extreme and express the potential” company slogan which has led Red Bull to support many action packed sports around the globe.  With Formula 1, The Red Bull Air Race Series and Skateboard Contests among them, The Nanshan Open gives Red Bull yet another place to showcase their passion for pushing individual limits and their sports to the Chinese public.

The 6th Red Bull Nanshan Open will take place in The Nokia Nanshan Mellow Park, well known for having the best freestyle obstacles in the country.  It was the first freestyle specific area in China and was possibly the best park in the world at contest time last season.  The park boasts an international standard kicker line, over 10 rails and boxes, a giant hip and some special features only to be revealed at on the first day of the contest.  “Its cool to see how Chinese people can [really ride] and this park was super nice”, said the impressed team Quiksilver team rider Hampus Mosseson after taking the top spot at the event last season.  “I’ve been snowboarding for 14years and its crazy that snowboarding has only been here for [such a short time] but they are catching on so fast”.

Nanshan is the best and most visited resort in the country and is the only place with the infrastructure to hold such an event in the region.  Local riders can qualify for their spot in the 6th Red Bull Nanshan Open this December 29th at the Nokia Nanshan Mellow Park.  The Nanshan Open is brought to you in part by Quiksilver  and Gibson Guitars.