Thu, Dec 12 2013 9:56 am | Comments
The Ride Shakedown presented by Videotron Mobile, a popular Big Air snowboarding event, will be back for a 13th edition at Mont St-Sauveur on April 4 and 5. This year, the end of season event will bear a 5-star ranking in the TTR World Snowboard Tour, a prestigious international snowboarding circuit.
Boasting the same generous $50,000 prize purse, the Ride Shakedown will award $20,000 of the total purse to the winner of the main event, a jump-to-rail competition, which will take place on the second day of the event. A total of 40 professional athletes will be present, along with a select few daring amateurs who earn their way to the semi-final round. From there, the spotlight momentarily shifts to the mini-pro halftime show, a segment where kids aged 12 and under will perform tricks on a rail specifically designed for the occasion.
“Once again this year, we will stop at nothing to ensure the Ride Shakedown is penned into everyone’s winter schedule as the must-attend, end-of-year event for both athletes and the public. In order to improve the experience for spectators and maximize athlete performance, all while delivering a great show, we have completely redesigned the bottom of the course. As a result, the event site as a whole will be modified. We have also adjusted some elements of the competition format”, indicates Patryck Bernier, Dizzle Entertainment co-founder and co-organizer of the Ride Shakedown presented by Videotron Mobile.
“The event is still going strong and we’re constantly developing new ideas. In 12 years of existence, we have seen our audience grow and they have equally seen us grow! Much like its audience, the event continues to grow year after year, with more and more people considering it a spring tradition. We also believe that having the event recognized worldwide will continue to attract international high-caliber competitors. Bottom line, all elements are in place to ensure a huge party for snowboard fans of all ages!”
Some 25,000 spectators are expected on site to watch their favourite riders and partake in the various activities being held on site such as exhibitor booths, DJs, and an autograph session with professional athletes. For those who prefer to be up close during the action, new access areas will be set up around the course.
L’Assomption native Sébastien Toutant, a four-time Ride Shakedown champion who ranked second-place in last year’s event, will return from the Winter Olympics just in time to compete for a fifth title. In order to secure it, he will have to face fierce opponents on a Big Air jump as well as a rail feature, which is redesigned for every edition of the Ride Shakedown.
Amateur riders interested in competing in the Ride Shakedown presented by Videotron Mobile can now register on the event website or through one of the various qualification events that will take place throughout the winter across Canada and the United States. For more details, head to: www.rideshakedown.com.