New Competition Series Combines Big Mountain Freeriding, Ski and Boarder Cross in California

Truckee, CA – Daron Rahlves, four-time Olympian, World Champion, Truckee resident and current Sugar Bowl Ski Ambassador, has announced plans for a new multi-resort race series with stops at California’s Alpine Meadows, Kirkwood and Sugar Bowl ski resorts.nMixing disciplines of big mountain freeriding, downhill racing and ski and boarder cross strategy, the “Banzai” format, with roots tied to the original Silver Belt Banzai at Sugar Bowl, puts four racers at a time blasting out of a ski cross start gate feature, maneuvering through strategically placed gates on an all-natural big mountain course while navigating alongside fellow racers, with the limited rules to finish fast enough to advance to the next round.

A grass roots flashback to the days of simply racing your friends to the bottom of the hill, Rahlves, the most decorated men’s downhiller in U.S. history, says that while the racing is real, the focus of the Banzai is on having fun.

“With so many competitions being of such a serious nature, the Banzai Tour invites skiers and riders to come out, get in the gate and point it, still maintaining a high level of racing of course, but also having a great time and enjoying the festive atmosphere that the Banzai is all about,” he explains.

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Complemented by vendor village exhibit areas, numerous spectator viewing spots, finish line BBQ’s and post-race parties complete with live music and DJ’s, the event is expected to draw more than just competitors.

Open to men, women, skiers and boarders age 18 years and older, historically the Silver Belt Banzai at Sugar Bowl has seen an eclectic mix of higher-level athletes, racing enthusiasts and everyday skiers and riders just out for a good time at a great event. With entry fees of $100 that includes a lift ticket on race day, and a $50,000 overall prize purse, the Rahlves Banzai Tour should see approximately 100 athletes racing at each tour stop.

Each race boasts a $10,000 purse, with an additional $10,000 given out to the overall Tour winners. And while Rahlves himself will not race in any of the three tour stops, acting instead as Banzai Ambassador throughout, he will await each of the Men’s Ski division winners from prior tour stops for a final day, one run, winner-take-all $10,000 “Banzai Super Final”, sure to be a crowd pleaser.

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The three Tahoe mountains involved offer big mountain terrain with impressive steeps, compelling routes to navigate and impressive annual snowfall totals every season. The Alpine Meadows Beaver Bowl Banzai is set for Jan. 22-23, 2011, followed by the Eagle Bowl Banzai at Kirkwood Feb. 5-6 and wrapping up with Sugar Bowl’s Silver Belt Banzai and Super Final Mar. 12-13.

Registration includes a lift ticket for Saturday’s time trials, as well as Sunday’s Banzai format racing should the racer advance out of Saturday’s round. Skiers, snowboarders, men and women 18 years and older are welcome to register at www.rahlvesbanzai.com.

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