British Snow Tour News

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Check out the full carnage on MPORA.

Here's the full official page of Brits galleries for all events on and off the slopes, including the Red Bull Home Run, plus a heap of videos from the main events.

We know we've already given you the dates for this year's BST, but here's the official release.

New Dates and Venue Announced for 2008 British Snow Tour

The 2008 British Snowboard and Freeski Tour returns this summer, announcing six new dates, revisiting a great venue and continuing to represent and showcase the highest level of Snowboard and Freeski competition in the UK.

Halifax Ski and Snowboarding Centre makes a welcome return to the British Snow Tour. Last visited in 2004, the SnowFlex kicker and slope is a favourite amongst spectators and competitors alike. Halifax joins five of the six tried and tested venues from the 2007 Tour: Chatham, Norfolk, Castleford, Milton Keynes and Glasgow. By adding great venues and continuing to incorporate a dedicated Schools Tour program, which will visit over 6,000 kids and give away 1,000 lessons, the British Snowboard and Freeski Tour continues to create new breeding grounds for emerging talent and continues to provide a path from grass roots participation through to international competition.

British Snow Tour dates for your diaries.

They're already on the SCUK Calendar

5th & 6th July 2008 – Halifax, British Big Air Championships
12th & 13th July 2008 – Chatham, British Slopestyle Championships
19th & 20th July 2008 – Norfolk, British Snowboard/Skiercross Championships
20th September 2008 – Castleford, British Slopestyle Championships
27th September 2008 – Milton Keynes, British Big Air Championships
4th October 2008– Glasgow, British Snowboardcross/Skiercross Championships

The 2008 British Snow Tour will also be returning to this year’s Metro Ski and Snowboard show for the Invitational Championships, to keep up-to-date with new event news and info, check out the British Snowboard and Freeski Tour website: www.britishsnowtour.com

The British Snowboard Tour continues to be the only UK event to award competitors with prestigious Ticket to Ride (TTR) points and TTR World Snowboard Tour Ranking. Giving UK riders the opportunity to not only win British Championships Titles, but secure World Ranking Points. Artificial Events = TTR ONE(1)STAR event, Indoor Events = TTR TWO(2)STAR event, The BRITS = TTR THREE(3)STAR event, for more information and to find out where UK riders are currently ranked check out: www.ttrworldtour.com

Friday 5th April saw the first ever Red Bull Home Run tear up Laax, Switzerland at the British Freeski & Snowboard Champs. 201 skiers and snowboarders lined up for a Le Mans start at the top of the mountain, each determined to win the ridiculous en masse Chinese downhill race, one of the most anticipated events at the Brits!

On the starter’s pistol the carnage began, with racers fighting to get their gear on, and away down the hill. It was the skiers who got away quickly, leaving the snowboarders close behind. Just 2200m, 5km of graded black/red slope, 1200m of vertical descent and a few minutes later, the winners in four categories emerged victorious

Freeskier Nick Southwell was the first to fly over the finish line at the foot of the mountain. Clare Hughes took the female skier title, and Ben Kilner took male Snowboard and Red Bull’s own Laura Berry the female snowboarder title.

Incredibly, Laura raced, and won, with a floating collarbone break! The injury was sustained a number of weeks ago during training with the British team, Laura is currently waiting for an operation, but couldn't resist competing, the Home Run win rounded off a great final day for the 19 year old, who also took 3rd place in the Slopestyle discipline at the Brits.

Next stop, the Red Bull wrap party, to celebrate the end of a great week at the ‘08 BRITS and the first ever Red bull Home Run…

For the fourth year running the McNab junior team have attended the Brits in Laax but this year the young rippers have rode off with more medals than ever before. A whopping 5 Gold, 8 Silver and 1 Bronze was the total haul for the grom team which includes Katie Ormerod, Ollie Jackson, James Smith, Cody Hierons, Sam Rogers and Henry Shackleton.

Here at McNab snowsports we would like to give a massive thanks to the team riders for the progress they have made this past year and also to all the company's who support the team including Helly Hansen, True Snowsports and 32 boots.

Also big thanks to Dave Seeley for all the help coaching on the junior camps. See everyone in Les Deux Alpes this summer.

After playing host to the Brits Slopestyle, Big Air and Boarder/Skier Cross earlier in the season SNO!zone were proud to return to Laax as title sponsors of the Halfpipe Championships again last week. And with more of SNO!zone’s sponsored riders taking part than ever before, the incredible young talent in the UK scene made its mark in Switzerland bringing home 20 medals with seven golds!
SNO!zone are delighted to support our riders providing them with free slopetime at the 3 indoor slopes in Milton Keynes, Castleford and Braehead, Scotland to give them the opportunity to really push themselves on real snow all year round and get their tricks and turns perfected for the big comps.

Regis Mosseron, Managing Director of SNO!zone commented:

“SNO!zone is dedicated in providing the best indoor real snow experience throughout the UK and provides a training platform for what is already an incredible standard of freestyle skiing and boarding in this country, as well as a place for beginners to develop a taste for the sport. We are very proud of all our sponsored riders who took part at The BRITS as we see their amazing dedication through their regular training on our snow slopes. Also, demonstrating our on-going support for the progress of snow sport talent in this country, we were delighted to sponsor the SNO!zone Half Pipe at The BRITS for the second year running.”

Please see below for the impressive results of our Sponsored Riders results at THE BRITS:

SNO!zone British Half Pipe Championships:
Men
1st – Dom Harington, Local boarder at the SNO!zone Castleford
3rd – Sam Cullum, Sponsored Snowboarder at SNO!zone Milton Keynes

Women
3rd – Laura Hill, Sponsored Snowboarder at SNO!zone Castleford
SNO!zone British Half Pipe Ski Championships:
1st - Murray Buchan, sponsored skier at SNO!zone Braehead Scotland

Quiksilver Big Air Championships, Snowboarding:
1st – Clare Frost, Sponsored snowboarder at SNO!zone Braehead, Scotland

Quiksilver British Big Air Championships, Skiing:
Men
2nd – James Woods, Sponsored skier at SNO!zone Castleford
3rd – James Webb, Sponsored skier at SNO!zone Milton Keynes

Women
2nd – Katie Summerhayes, Sponsored skier at SNO!zone Castleford

Trespass British Skiercross Championships:
3rd – Katie Summerhayes in the Kids Womens
2nd - Chris Mavin in the Junior Mens, SNO!zone Milton Keynes.

Trespass British Snowboard Championships:
1st – Katie Ormerod in the Kids Womens
1st – Rebecca Cullum in the Junior Womens, SNO!zone Milton Keynes.
1st - Neil Stead in the junior mens, Sponsored rider for SNO!zone Braehead Scotland
3rd – Laura Berry in the Senior Womens, Sponsored rider for SNO!zone Milton Keynes

Animal British Slopestyle Championships, Snowboard:
Men
2nd – Jamie Nicholls, Sponsored rider at SNO!zone Castleford
3rd – Jack Shackleton, Sponsored rider at SNO!zone Milton Keynes

Women
1st – Claire Frost, Sponsored rider at SNO!zone Braehead
3rd – Laura Berry, Sponsored rider at SNO!zone Milton Keynes

Animal British Slopestyle Championships, Ski:
1st James Webb – Sponsored rider at SNO!zone Milton Keynes

Tyler Jay Harding - Castleford's 11 year old sponsored skier also his won his age catogory( u15 kids) in slopestyle and big air and came second in the halfpipe. He came 11th overall in the slopestyle.

Hundreds of British passport holders invaded the Swiss Alps last week for the Swatch TTR 3-Star British Snowboarding Championships. The week long event underwent dramatic changes in weather from sunny blue skies to daunting fog and wind, but that didn’t stop the best British riders from destroying the legendary Laax Halfpipe and Slopestyle course. On top of insane DJ’s wreaking havoc in the clubs, ‘The Brits’ was off-the-wall, showcasing sick riding in a multitude of formats.

As the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour accepts only two results from any one event, The Brits offered up 550 TTR from a Halfpipe result, as well as an overall combined result from Big Air and Slopestyle in both the men’s and women’s fields. Resulting from the triple whammy of TTR formats were big moves in the TTR Top 100 for riders like Lesley McKenna and Jamie Nicholls who increased their rank with excellent performances at The Brits.

First on the list for The Brits was the Quiksilver Big Air Championships. A traditional best of 2 hits formula was followed, resulting in Richard Hookes and Claire Frost stepping up to take top honours. Despite the flat light, the Big Air throw down hosted some of the most technical riding of the week. Hookes stomped his huge, perfect Cab 9 to take the Title followed by Ben Kilner in second and Nelson Pratt in third. In the women’s field, Lynsey Ashdown braved the Big Air taking third place. Samantha Rogers aroused the crowd with a sick Frontflip for second, but it was newcomer Clair Frost who would push through to the final, landing two clean BS 5s for first place.

With the Big Air setting the bar, riders shifted their attention to the monstrous Laax Halfpipe ready to be slain. The battle for the SNO!zone Halfpipe Title suddenly became rider vs rider vs mountain as howling winds, brutal fog and a vast accumulation of snow at the bottom of the pipe gave shredders a run for their money. Nevertheless, a sick line up of contenders put it all on the line with Dom Harington and Kate Foster emerging victorious.

Harington certainly deserved the Title throwing the cleanest run of the day that included a FS 7, a Haakon flip 7, a massive FS air, into a Mctwist and finishing with an Alley-oop 5. Ben Kilner claimed a consecutive second place with a textbook run as Sam Cullum rounded out the men’s Halfpipe podium. Kate Foster however put on clean display of Halfpipe proficiency in a solid run that included a BS melon, an alley-oop, a BS air, a FS 3 and ending with a cab 3. Lesley McKenna who had qualified for the finals in first had some trouble with her speed but held on for second place as Laura Hill managed to link her combos for the third podium spot.

The final format of competition, the Animal Slopestyle Championships, was pushed back a day due to increasingly tough conditions, with difficult visibility and snowfall that would not let up. Fortunately, the final competition day of The Brits saw the sun peek out as riders took it to the rails and kickers with the utmost style. The young guns were the ones to look out for as 14 year-old Jamie Nicholls and 16 year-old Aimee Fuller qualified in the top positions for the finals.

Speed would ultimately be the issue of the day as only the top riders were able to clear the knuckle and ride away cleanly. Nate Kern didn’t have any problems utilizing every nook and cranny of the Slopestyle course to walk away with first place. Kern’s winning run was solid throughout, starting with a FS Boardslide to 270 off on the top box, a BS Disaster on the wall ride and a 50-50 FS Noseslide on the second box. The 3 kickers were weighted with 60% more points and Kern charged forward with a BS 7 to 540 to Cab 5. Jamie Nicholls once again confirmed he’s the up and comer to beat claiming second place as Jack Shackleton quickly followed in third.

Claire Frost dominated the women’s field for a second time to bag first place in the Slopestlye with a run that began with a nose slide 270 out on the top box, a 360 Tailslide on the wallride and a 50-50 Noseslide on the kinked box. Her kicker line consisted of huge FS and BS 180s over the medium kickers, finishing off with a huge BS 5 off the final kicker. Second place went to Lucy Passmore with Laura Berry rounding out the women’s Slopestyle top 3.

The Swatch TTR 3-Star Brits was a huge success despite some unfortunate weather and it certainly foreshadowed the success and dominance of up and coming British riders ready to take on the TTR competitive circuit.

The Nike 6.0 team swept the Brits, taking home an incredible 5 Gold’s and 5 Silvers over the week.

The teams newest recruit, Chris Kightley proved his reputation as one of the UK’s most promising kicker riders by taking home the Gold in the Junior Men’s category slopestyle and a silver for the Junior Men Big Air.

Jamie Nicholls also lived up to his unofficial title of the Smallest Shred King as he dominated the kids and senior men categories in the Slopestyle event – even thought he is just 14! Jamie’s runs also saw him throw down one of only two nine hundred rotations seen in the comp!

He also clinched Gold medals in his age categories in Pipe and Big Air.

Sparrow Knox was also close on Jamie’s heels and took the silver in the Kids men's pipe, he also took gold in his age group in the Boarder Cross, as well as silver in the Kid’s Big Air.

The Nike 6.0 team are going from strength to strength so keep your eyes peeled for their next sack of results.

[Jamie Nicholls, photo: © Andrew Hingston]

Well, now that the Brits08 is finished, the British Snow Tour all starts again in less than three months, when the British Dryslope Big Air Championships makes a welcome return to the SnowFlex slopes of Halifax. Slope Style is the following weekend at Chatham and Snowboardcross at Norfolk the weekend after. We get the Summer off for good behaviour, before the Tour heads in doors at Castleford for Slope Style on 20th September, Big Air at Milton Keynes on 27th September and we finish with the Indoor Snowboardcross Championships in Glasgow on 4th October.

A full list of all the British Snowboard Tour events can be found on the SCUK British Snowboard Tour Calendar.

A press release with more info is expected within a week or two.

After a great week of competition, which saw a total of 258 skiers and snowboarders compete across four disciplines, the final day of The BRITS 2008 took place yesterday in Laax, Switzerland with the Animal British Snowboard Slopestyle Championships.

To bring the BRITS to the ultimate close for 2008 was the highly anticipated ‘Red Bull Homerun’ in which 217 freeskiers and snowboarders took part in the final run of the final day. The four crowned winners were as follows:
First Male Skier and first competitor through the finish gates – Nick Southwell
First Male Snowboarder – Ben Kilner
First Female Snowboarder - Laura Berry
First Female Skier - Claire Hughes

Red Bull will be sending out a full report of the ‘Homerun’ happenings and keep your eyes peeled for a video of all of the action from the race.

Check out the Brits YouTube channel.

Animal British Snowboard Slopestyle Championships 2008

The final event of the BRITS 2008, the Animal British Slopestyle Championships opened up to fresh snow and blue skies on Friday 4th April after being rescheduled from the day before due to poor weather conditions. A record number of 106 riders competed and an amazingly high standard of rail and kicker riding combinations were thrown down.

The younger generation of shredders set the standard during the qualification rounds with 14 year old Jamie Nicholls and 16 year old Amiee Fuller qualifying in top spot through to the finals. Youngster Matt Macwhirter also made it through to the top eight men final, progressing through the ranks after being introduced to snowboarding through the AIM Series Schools Tour three years ago.

In the men’s final Nate Kern utilised the slopestyle course to the full and threw down a stylish and technical run which included a frontside boardslide, 270 off on the top box, a backside disaster on the wall ride and a 50-50 frontside noseslide on the up down kinked rail. On the kickers Nate perfectly landed a back to back frontside and backside 900 and cab 720 to take the gold and the 2008 Animal British Slopestyle Championship Title. Second Place went to the youngest competitor in the final, 14 year old Jamie Nicholls who put down one of the most technical rail runs of the day; switch backside to frontside boardslide to backside boardslide, 270 out on the top box, frontside 540 on the wall ride and switch boardslide on the kinked rail. His kicker line included a backside 720, 540 and a cab 540. Jack Shackleton finished off the podium spots to take third place after he put together and landed a technical run including a frontside tailslide 270, blunt tail stall on the wall ride, noseslide and big frontside 360, 540 and cab 540 over the kickers.

Claire Frost, who won the previous days Big Air competition, continued to be on top form in the women’s final and added the Animal British Slopestyle Championship title and another gold medal to her already impressive BRITS collection. Frost linked together a stylish run including a noseslide 270 out on the top box, 360 tailslide on the wall ride, 50-50 noseslide on the kinked rail and a frontside and backside 180 over the medium kickers, finishing off with a big backside 540 over the last kicker. Second place went to Lucy Passmore with a switch boardslide, 50-50 noseslide, backside 180 and frontside 180 straight into a stylish cab 360. Laura Berry who was riding with an injured shoulder didn’t let that stop her throwing down some technical grinds and jumps including a 270 on, onto the top box, a big blunt stall on the wall ride and a frontside 180 and 360 over the kickers.

Animal British Slopestyle Championships Results

Men
1st – Nate Kern, Sussex
2nd – Jamie Nicholls, Bradford
3rd – Jack Shackleton, Newbury

Women
1st – Claire Frost, Edinburgh
2nd – Lucy Passmore, Milton Keynes
3rd – Laura Berry, Milton Keynes

Don’t forget to check out the BRITS 2008 daily webcasts at www.brits08.com, where you will be able to review the coolest snowboard and freeski action from the previous day’s competition, including the best footage from the qualifications and finals.

The BRITS 08 would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Animal, Quiksilver, Trespass, SNO!zone, Salomon, Ride, K2 and Faction Ski’s.Official footwear partner Cushe. Official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham. Media partners Whitelines, Dark Summer, Extreme.com, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Skiclub.co.uk and Official Destination Partners, Laax.

SNO!zone British Halfpipe Championships

It was a snowy start for day three at the BRITS, Wednesday 3rd April for the highly anticipated SNO!zone British Halfpipe Championships but the weather didn’t dampen rider’s spirits with a selection of World Class Halfpipe runs being thrown down.

Dan Wakeham set the standard during the qualification rounds after putting together a super technical run which included huge back to back inverts, putting him through to the eight men final in top spot. It was a British Snowboard Team showdown during the final with 2007 British Champion Angus Leith, Dom Harington, Sam Cullum, Ben Kilner, Dan Wakeham, Jack Shackleton, James Foster and Ben Knox fighting it out for the top three podium spots.

Dom Harington, who has recently been crowned the Europa Cup Halfpipe Champion took gold and the 2008 SNO!zone British Halfpipe title with a clean run including a big frontside 720, to haakon flip 720, massive frontside air, to Mctwist and alley-oop 540 to finish. Ben Kilner picked up his second silver in as many days to take second place with a textbook run consisting of a frontside 720, haakon flip 720, frontside 540, to a huge and stylish backside melon. The final spot went to Sam Cullum with a smooth run including, a big frontside air, backside melon and cab 720.

Kate Foster demonstrated her well practised halfpipe skills to take gold in the women’s final and the 2008 SNO!zone British Halfpipe title after cleanly landing a solid run including, a backside melon, alley-oop, backside air, frontside 360 to cab 360 on her final hit. British World Cup Halfpipe team member and 2006 Olympian, Lesley McKenna qualified through to the final in top spot but lost a little speed during her final run to take second place overall. Third place went to Laura Hill, who linked together a combination of smooth frontside and cab 360’s.

A special mention goes out to the younger riders pushing up through the ranks including, 15 year old British Junior Team rider Lee Tarran, who just missed out on a spot into the final and fellow team member 16 year old Amiee Fuller who was the youngest rider to make it through to the women’s final. James Foster also gets a shout out for bringing back some old school style with some long forgotten stylish Japan airs.

SNO!zone British Halfpipe Championships Results

Men
1st – Dom Harington, Leeds
2nd – Ben Kilner, Edinburgh
3rd – Sam Cullum

Women
1st – Kate Foster, East Sussex
2nd – Lesley McKenna, Aviemore
3rd – Laura Hill, Leeds

Don’t forget to check out the BRITS 2008 daily webcasts at www.brits08.com, where you will be able to review the coolest snowboard and freeski action from the previous day’s competition, including the best footage from the qualifications and finals.

The BRITS 08 would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Animal, Quiksilver, Trespass, SNO!zone, Salomon, Ride, K2 and Faction Ski’s.Official footwear partner Cushe. Official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham. Media partners Whitelines, Dark Summer, Extreme.com, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Skiclub.co.uk and Official Destination Partners, Laax.

Quiksilver British Big Air Championships.

The Quiksilver British Big Air Championships opened day two of competition at the BRITS 2008, Laax Switzerland with over 100 riders attacking the 7, 14 and 20 metre kickers. New comers to the BRITS, Richard Hookes and Claire Frost stepped it up to take the overall 2008 Quiksilver Big Air Championship titles.

It was a close competition during the eight men final with only one point separating the top six placings. New to the BRITS and unsponsored rider Richard Hookes, threw down a huge cab 900, switch tail, to walk away with the overall men’s title, not bad for his first BRITS appearance! Second place went to British Snowboard Team member, Ben Kilner, who was riding super strong all day and perfectly landed a text book corked backside 720. Nelson Pratt took third place after he pulled out a stylish cab 900.

A relative newcomer on the scene, Claire Frost made her mark in the women’s final when she landed two textbook backside 540s to take the 2008 Quiksilver Big Air title. Samantha Rogers, who had been riding strong all day, pulled a big frontflip out of the bag on her final jump, and received a mighty cheer from the crowd and second place. Third place went to Lynsey Ashdown after she landed a clean frontside 540.

Quiksilver British Big Air Championships Results

Men
1st - Richard Hookes
2nd – Ben Kilner, Aviemore
3rd – Nelson Pratt, Hampshire

Women
1st – Claire Frost, Edinburgh
2nd – Sam Rogers, Reading
3rd – Lynsey Ashdown, Cheshire

Don’t forget to check out the BRITS 2008 daily webcasts at www.brits08.com, where you will be able to review the coolest snowboard and freeski action from the previous day’s competition, including the best footage from the qualifications and finals.

The BRITS 08 would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Animal, Quiksilver, Trespass, SNO!zone, Salomon, Ride, K2 and Faction Ski’s.Official footwear partner Cushe. Official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham. Media partners Whitelines, Dark Summer, Extreme.com, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Skiclub.co.uk and Official Destination Partners, Laax.

The Trespass British Snowboardcross Championships

The 2008 British Snowboard and Freeski Championships got underway today with one of the fastest and most exciting snowboardcross events in recent memory. In keeping with BRITS tradition, sunshine welcomed competitors to the start gates to compete in the Tresspass British Snowboardcross Championships which witnessed over 90 snowboarders going head to head down the challenging course until only the fastest remained to battle it out in the adrenalin fuelled finals. Snowsports GB Team members, James Foster and Zoe Gillings dominated the day’s competition, both claiming the top spots as well as the two fastest race times of the competition.

"It's great to be back at the BRITS after unfortunately missing last year's", said Zoe Gillings. "So I am so excited at winning a gold medal at this year's championships and it is a fun way to end a great season."

In the women's final, it was fast out of the start gates for the four Snowsports GB team members making for a tight and highly competitive race and a hard one to call. However, it was clear very early on that Zoe had the gold in her sights as she took a fast lead, which she held for the entire race following an amazingly solid run. Despite Zoe's long lead, the other finalists, Ivy Taylor, Lesley McKenna and Kate Foster also all had solid fast runs, ready to steal the lead at any possible opportunity. Despite their persistence, Zoe's textbook riding kept her in front and deservedly won her the gold, with Ivy coming in a close second, Lesley third and Kate in fourth.

The men's final was just as competitive with all eager to be first out of the gates to get an advantageous lead. James Foster, who had won all of his earlier heats and got the fastest time of the day's competition, got away from the others first with a great start and a lead which he held onto for the entire race securing him the top spot and the title. The rest of the riders all had solid faultless runs and continued to try and close the gap on James but his impressive run, in which he also had time to pull a cheeky shifty on the last jump of the course, meant no one got the chance to steal his lead. Second over the finish line was Michael Arrowsmith, followed by George Springfield and in fourth place Ben Knox.

Trespass British Snowboardcross Championships Results:

Men
1st – James Foster, East Sussex
2nd – Michael Arrowsmith, Dorset
3rd – George Springfield, Devon
4th – Ben Knox, London

Women
1st – Zoe Gillings, Isle of Man
2nd – Ivy Taylor, Cheshire
3rd – Lesley McKenna, Aviemore
4th – Kate Foster, East Sussex

Don’t forget to check out the BRITS 2008 daily webcasts at www.brits08.com, where you will be able to review the coolest snowboard and freeski action from the previous days competition, including the best footage from the qualifications and finals. The webcast for today’s competition will be available to view from approximately 12 noon on Tuesday 1st April.

The BRITS 08 would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Animal, Quiksilver, Trespass, SNO!zone, Salomon, Ride, K2 and Faction Ski’s.Official footwear partner Cushe. Official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham. Media partners Whitelines, Dark Summer, Extreme.com, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Skiclub.co.uk and Official Destination Partners, Laax.

Time flies when you’re having fun. It’s Brits week once again and at White Lines the anticipation is killing us! Yes, we packed our pants a good few weeks ago, tucked our toothbrushes into our back pockets last night and are just itching to get on that flight to Zurich.

But we know that there are less fortunate souls out there, souls who won’t be getting a sniff of the snow next week.

Well, fret not! Because, whitelines.com is bringing you more exclusive action from the Brits than ever before.

Not only will Soul Sports' intrepid crew be bringing you all the competition coverage, White Lines will be going behind the scenes of this legendary event to bring you a daily fix of all that is good.

We’ll be taking runs through all the event arenas with some of the best riders in the UK, interviewing more famous faces than you can shake a stick at (that means you DJ Tony B) and checking out what the mountain has to offer. And when all that’s done, we’ll be getting our funk (and cameras) on at the best night spots in Laax (it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it). Add to all that a daily update from Ed the editor with pictures and everything, what more could you ask for?

whitelines.com

Trespass – leading sportswear brand will be stepping up to the start gates again at this year’s BRITS, 29th March – 5th April, Laax, Switzerland when they take the title rights for the Trespass British Snowboard/Skiercross Championships.

Following on from an exhilarating 2007 Championships, which saw one of the most highly competitive Snowboardcross races in the history of the BRITS – the master’s mens' final! The 2008 Trespass British Snowboard/Skiercorss Championships promises to deliver even more nail biting action with top athletes including Olympian Zoe Gillings, who is currently ranked 6th in the World confirmed to be competing. Competitors will race against the clock and each other in heats of four down a challenging course littered with bumps, burms, tight banked turns and jumps, until only the fastest riders are left victorious.

The Trespass Snowboardcross Championships will kick start the Snowboard competition schedule on Monday 31st March, with the Skiercross competition taking place on Wednesday 2nd April. The Trespass party, in association with Dark Summer, will simultaneously set the tempo for the week’s evening entertainment, when top DJ’s Matt Smooth and Nick Maxwell take to the decks on Sunday evening at the infamous Crap Bar.

To ensure you don’t miss out on being part of this legendary event, which is back to celebrate its 18th birthday in style the BRITS are offering amazing packages starting from as little as 442CHF, which includes 7 nights’ accommodation, 6 days lift pass, festival wrist band (which gives you access to event clubs and bars) and event bag. Let’s not forget the riding though! Competition registration is also now live so check out the BRITS website and get booking – www.brits08.com

The BRITS 08 would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Animal, Quiksilver, Trespass, SNO!zone, Salomon, Ride, K2 and Faction Ski’s.Official footwear partner Cushe. Official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham. Media partners Whitelines, Dark Summer, Extreme.com, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Skiclub.co.uk and Official Destination Partners, Laax.

Quiksilver Says ‘Jump’, You Say ‘How High’.

The British Snowboard and Freeski Championships and Quiksilver are pleased to announce their continued partnership at this year’s BRITS, when they take the title rights for the Quiksilver British Big Air Championships and host the Quik Sessions Night headlined by the legendry DJing duo, South Central.

A huge number of the UK’s big hitters including, Jenny Jones, Tyler Chorlton and Scott McMorris along with 2006-2007 Freeski Big Air Champ Joe Tyler will be unlocking their big bag of tricks when they hit up Laax’s World class kickers on Tuesday 1st and Thursday 3rd March in the Quiksilver British Big Air Championships. The head-to-head format, made up of four rounds of knock-out qualification, with a limit on the repetition of like-tricks throughout, will have riders digging deep to pull out the variety needed to reach the final and take the TTR World ranking points up for grabs – a true test of an athlete’s ability.

The accomplished musicians, remixers and amazing Dj’s, South Central will be tearing up the Riders Palace dance floor on Tuesday 1st March when they headline the Quik Sessions Night in association with Whitelines. On the NME tour last year with The Enemy and The Wombats, South Central spectacularly dissolves the boundaries of what DJing and live music are as they use a laptop, a keyboard and a 'magicbox' of their own invention to remix tracks live. Their legendary DJ slots are a perfect blend of guitar-powered indie and bleepy electro that promises to set the Quik Sessions night off with a bang – bring on the ‘magic box’!

To ensure you don’t miss out on being part of this legendary event, which is back to celebrate its 18th birthday in style the BRITS are offering amazing packages starting from as little as 442CHF, which includes 7 nights’ accommodation, 6 days lift pass, festival wrist band (which gives you access to event clubs and bars) and event bag. Let’s not forget the riding though! Competition registration is also now live so check out the BRITS website and get booking at www.brits08.com

The BRITS 08 would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Animal, Quiksilver, Trespass, SNO!zone, Salomon, Ride, K2 and Faction Ski’s.Official footwear partner Cushe. Official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham. Media partners Whitelines, Dark Summer, Extreme.com, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Skiclub.co.uk and Official Destination Partners, Laax.

The BRITS, the greatest music and snowsports event of 2008, are excited to introduce the three new bands chosen to rock the brand new Live Après Sessions and welcome new footwear brand ‘Cushe’ on board for the BRITS 08 as "Official Footwear Partner".

New independent British footwear brand Cushe (pronounced Cushy) have stepped up to comfortably fit as brand new official footwear partner for the BRITS 08. Cushe has consistently evolved over the past few years as the most innovative and exciting brand to emerge on the market, designing style led footwear for demanding freesport inspired outdoor individuals.

"Working alongside Soul Sports for the first time as 'Official Footwear Partner' of the BRITS 2008 is a fantastic opportunity for us and we're stoked to be part of such a high profile event. The BRITS 2008 is a perfect launch pad for us to demonstrate our commitment to winter freesports and firmly position Cushe as a credible player within the lifestyle footwear market." Ciaran Henderson - Cushe Marketing and Events Manager

Brit Bands

After a UK wide search, for three hot new bands to kick off the inaugural Ride, K2 and Salomon live Après Sessions, votes are in, groupies packed and drum kits disassembled ready for some serious après shenanigans… Oh, and if anybody asks you heard them at the BRITS first……right!

K2 Live Après Session, "Kovak" - Sunday 30th March

Kicking off the week in style and promising that their latest ridiculously catchy single “Death in the Disco” will still be in your head on the plane home will be the Indie/Electro/Pop band Kovak. They kicked off 2008 by supporting Robots in Disguise at Brighton's Concorde 2 club, and successfully put on their very own legendary Indie/Electro/Pop nights.

www.myspace.com/kovakuk
www.kovak.co.uk

Salomon Live Après Session, "Hey Molly" - Tuesday 1st April

Hey Molly supported festival headliner Muse at the Eden Projects in Cornwall and have been confirmed to appear at Glastonbury, Aeon and Maker festivals as well as being booked for a tour of Holland and Germany in May, but let’s be honest the Salomon Live Après Session has to be their career highlight!

www.myspace.com/heymolly
www.heymolly.co.uk

Ride Après Session, "Bohica" - Thursday 3rd April

This Guildford based four-piece outfit is steadily building a reputation as one of Britain's most promising alt-rock / metal bands, with lead single “Seven Second Syndrome” getting regular MTV2 play. Always gigging, always touring, and as keen snowboarders they’ll be coming out to shred the slopes and close down the Brits in true head-banging style playing the final RIDE Live Après Session.

www.myspace.com/bohica
www.bohica.co.uk

To ensure you don’t miss out on being part of this legendary event, which is back to celebrate its 18th birthday in style the BRITS are offering amazing packages starting from as little as 442CHF, which includes 7 nights’ accommodation, 6 days lift pass, festival wrist band (which gives you access to event clubs and bars) and event bag. Let’s not forget the riding though! Competition registration is also now live so check out the BRITS website and get booking – www.brits08.com

The BRITS 08 would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Animal, Quiksilver, Trespass, SNO!zone, Salomon, Ride, K2 and Faction Ski’s.Official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham. Media partners Whitelines, Dark Summer, Extreme.com, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Skiclub.co.uk and Official Destination Partners, Laax.

SNO!zone, UK’s premier indoor real snow slopes, will continue to take the title rights for the British Halfpipe Championships at this year’s BRITS 29th March – 5th April, Laax, Switzerland. Standards are set to soar in the 2008 SNO!zone British Halfpipe Championships with the UK’s top Freeskiers and Snowboarders, including 2007 Halfpipe Champ, Paddy Graham and a full line-up from the British Snowboard Team confirmed to be competing.

Following on from an inspirational 2007 Halfpipe Championships, which witnessed a huge number of emerging young riders pushing up through the ranks, the 2008 SNO!zone Halfpipe Championships looks set to showcase an explosion of progressive World Class Halfpipe riding. SNO!zone sponsored riders, Jamie Nicholls, Claire Frost and James Woods will also be amongst the riders looking to reach new heights when they drop in to Laax’s perfectly shaped 20ft Superpipe.

The SNO!zone Halfpipe Championships will kick start the Freeski competition schedule on Monday 31st March, with the Snowboard competition taking place on Wednesday 2nd April. The SNO!zone party, in association with Ski Club, will be the icing on the cake on Wednesday evening, when the legendary DJ Tony B and Dan Brown take to the decks at the Crap Bar to finish the day off in style.

To ensure you don’t miss out on being part of this legendary event, which is back to celebrate its 18th birthday in style the BRITS are offering amazing packages starting from as little as 442CHF, which includes 7 nights’ accommodation, 6 days lift pass, festival wrist band (which gives you access to event clubs and bars) and event bag. Let’s not forget the riding though! Competition registration is also now live so check out the BRITS website and get booking – www.brits08.com

The BRITS 08 would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Animal, Quiksilver, Trespass, SNO!zone, Salomon, Ride, K2 and Faction Ski’s. Official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham. Media partners Whitelines, Dark Summer, Extreme.com, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Skiclub.co.uk and Official Destination Partners, Laax.

Red Bull Home Run will début at the British Freeski and Snowboard Championships in Laax, Switzerland. Be prepared for the most ridiculous event the BRITS has ever seen!

At the end of March, the cream of the British snow sports scene will head to Laax to compete (and party) at the BRITS. Red Bull will, as always, be supporting the event with an on-hill energy station, fuelling competitors and providing the tunes, throughout the week.

On Friday April 4th, at 5pm, to celebrate the last run home of the BRITS, Red Bull has created an en masse, elbows-out, race to the bar: Red Bull Home Run.

Red Bull Home Run will start at the top of the mountain, as hundreds of skiers and snowboarders jostle for position on the start line. At the starter’s gun, the pack will race flat-out to the finish line, almost five miles below at the very foot of the mountain, taking in 1200 metres of vertical descent in around 4 minutes!

The first male and female skiers and snowboarders to complete the gruelling race and cross the finish line will take the win bragging rights, and be crowned the 2008 Red Bull Home Run Champions - just in time for the BRITS Wrap Party later that night…

Lighting up the après-championship festivities will be award winning VJ duo Meek.tv and internationally reputed DJ Bonobo. Meek will provide a visual extravaganza to close down the week in true style: mixing live, beat-synched visuals to the tunes spun by Ninja Tune's Bonobo. The end result will be a mind blowing combination of their own award winning images along with footage from the week’s action at the BRITS and Red Bull Home Run.

Red Bull Home Run is open to anyone with a BRITS wrist band, who is brave (and foolish) enough to enter. Registration will be open on the day at the Red Bull Energy Station at the top.

If you want to be part of the mayhem, last minute packages are still available at www.brits08.com

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If you want to know what a Chinese Downhill is, check out this clip from the UK's own Tamworth SnowDome from a few years back on YouTUBE.

The British Snowboard and Freeski Championships, featuring the Animal Slopestyle returns to Laax, Switzerland, from the 29th March – 5th April for Europe’s ultimate winter festival - The BRITS. UK industry brand Animal will continue to extend their freestyle and party wings at the BRITS 08 when they take the title - Animal British Slopestyle Championships and host the Animal night headlined by hip-hop legend DJ Format.

Widely regarded as the ultimate measure of a riders all round freestyle ability, the Slopestyle discipline is a combination of technical rails and kickers, all rolled into creative lines and clean landings. The 2007 Animal Slopestyle Championships showcased impressive riding, including the infamous ‘Garnier grind’ from freeskier, Marco Eydallin and groundbreaking results from 13 year old snowboarder, Jamie Nicholls, who scooped silver and became the youngest competitor in the history of the BRITS to take a podium spot.

The UK’s top Slopestyle riders including, Jenny Jones, Sam Cullum and Paddy Graham are amongst the names already confirmed to be competing at the BRITS 08, and with the Slopestyle title firmly set in their sights the 2008 Animal Slopestyle Championships, promises to be a major highlight of the week.

If the dance floor is where you prefer to witness or demonstrate creativity then the Animal night in association with the Extreme Sports Channel is certainly one not to be missed. The Animal BRITS party 07, quoted “party of the week” by Whitelines magazine last year, has risen to the challenge once again and put together another marvellous line-up headlined by hip-hop legend DJ Format. Also spinning records will be Animal pro rider, Dom Harington, who can dominate Britain’s best in the Halfpipe by day and then show the top DJs a thing or two on the decks by night! We are also expecting an entertaining mystery set from Goldie Lookin’ Chains', Adam Hussain. The date for your diary is Thursday 3rd April, the place, Casa Veglia, Laax. Make sure you don’t miss the action as the Animal BRITS party descends onto the dance floor for a night of awesome turntablism, dancing and après-ski shenanigans.

To ensure you don’t miss out on being part of this legendary event, which is back to celebrate its 18th birthday in style the BRITS are offering amazing packages starting from as little as 442CHF (£210), which includes 7 nights accommodation, 6 days lift pass, festival wrist band (which gives you access to event clubs and bars) and event bag. Let's not forget the riding though! Competition registration is also now live so check out the BRITS website and get booking – www.brits08.com

The BRITS 08 would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Animal, Quiksilver, Trespass, SNO!zone, Salomon, Ride, K2 and Faction Ski’s. Official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham. Media partners Whitelines, Dark Summer, Extreme.com, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Skiclub.co.uk and Official Destination Partners, Laax.

You can now register for the Brits and remember that SCUK members can reclaim their 10% discount on registration fees in resort.

The BRITS, the greatest music and snowsports event of 2008, is looking for three live acts to rock the Ride, K2 and Salomon ‘Après Sessions’ at this years event in Laax, Switzerland between March 29th and April 5th.

As well as being packed with the best freestyle snowboard and ski action, culminating in the crowning of the British Halfpipe, Slopestyle, Snowboard/Skiercross and Big Air Champions, the BRITS will this year boast the best live music line-up ever – on the hill, at the ‘Après Sessions’ and each night at the best clubs Laax has to offer.

An army of British snowsports and music aficionado’s will be invading Switzerland to check out the action, shred the slopes and rock out every night, and we’re offering three bands the chance to be an integral part of this line-up – and most importantly the chance to play this crowd, the competitors and the attending press. Not only will the bands get to play to an enthusiastic and knowledgeable crowd, but will benefit from the huge promotional machine that stretches into core sports, music and mainstream media.

The ‘Live Après Sessions’ are a great new concept this year, co-created by three of the biggest and best names in the industry – Ride, K2 and Salomon - and will be held early each evening at the ‘Crap Bar’ (crap by name, not by nature!) in Laax – the main meeting point and liveliest party spot for everyone at the end of each day on the mountain.

Each band will receive:
• 2 nights accommodation and 2 days lift pass each.

• Each band member will receive a full snowboard/ski set-up from either RIDE, K2 or SALOMON worth around £1500 per band.

• Each band will be promoted via websites, newsletters, BRITS brochure and reportage from attending media.

All you have to do is get yourselves out to the event!

Our mates used to be in a band but they were rubbish so they broke up. If you're in a band and NOT rubbish, take up this totally amazing opportunity to show your fellow BRITS what you’ve got and submit you’re demo tracks to john@soulsports.co.uk or send demos, marked ‘BRITS Live Après Sessions’ to John @ Soul Sports, Unit B5, Enterprise Point, Melbourne Street, Brighton, E Sussex, BN2 3LH, UK.

All Tracks will be promoted on the BRITS website: www.brits08.com and Myspace page:www.myspace.com/britsapressessions for the public to listen to and comment. The three successful bands will be selected from a combination of the public choice and the BRITS music coordinators’ decision.

Details:
• Competition opens – now! So get those demos in ASAP.
• Competition closes – Winners will be announced March 1st 2008

If you’re not in a band, don’t fret! We have accommodated for the more observational music and snowsports devotee by providing holiday packages from as little as £179pp. This includes 7 nights Accommodation, 6 days lift pass, event bag AND the festival wrist band which gets you free access to all of The BRITS club venues. So, what are you waiting for, get involved at www.brits08.com to book a package and find out further information about the event, flights and transfers.

The BRITS 2008 would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Animal, Quiksilver, Trespass, SNO!zone, Salomon, Ride, K2 and Faction Ski’s. Official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham. Media partners Whitelines, Dark Summer, Extreme.com, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Skiclub.co.uk and Official Destination Partners, Laax.

The British Snowboard and Freeski Championships, returns to Laax, Switzerland, from the 29th March – 5th April for Europe’s ultimate winter festival - The BRITS. To help make it even more affordable and easier to get from your sofa to the slopes, The BRITS have teamed up with Laax and Transfer Intelligence to offer some amazing package deals and transfers out to the event.

• Packages start from as little as £179pp, which includes 7 nights Accommodation, 6 days lift pass, event bag and most importantly the festival wrist band, which will get you free access to all of The BRITS club venues along with a bevy of discounts in a number of Laax’s fine drinking and eating establishments and event bag (DVD, T-shirt, event programme)
• Transfers from Zurich (Switzerland) to resort are approx £50 return. (1½ hour transfer)
• Transfers from Friedrichshafen (Germany) to resort are approx £60 return. (1½ hour transfer)
• A great range of well priced flights are available from a number of major airlines including:
- BA, Swiss International Airlines, KLM and EasyJet all fly into Zurich Airport
- Ryan Air flies into Friedrichshafen Airport

A staple in the winter snowsports calendar, The BRITS is a true celebration of everything that is great about UK snowboarding and freeskiing - uniting kids, pros and Olympians to compete in the SNO!zone Halfpipe, Trespass Skiercross / Snowboardcross, Quiksilver Big Air and Animal Slopestyle disciplines. The BRITS 2008, a prestigious 3-star TTR event, is also set to attract more great British talent than ever before – including Jenny Jones, Dan Wakeham, Dom Harrington, Mike Wakefield and Paddy Graham and promises to deliver a display of the most progressive snowboarding and freeskiing talent the UK has to offer.

Combining six days of World-class snowboard and freeski action and a heavy après policy, throwing down world renowned live bands and talented tunesmiths all day, everyday, The BRITS 2008 is guaranteed to be an amazing winter week and one that simply cannot be missed.

To ensure you don’t miss out on being a part of this legendary event, which is back to celebrate its 18th birthday in style and set to be the biggest and best yet, check out The BRITS website to book now and get the best deals – www.brits08.com. The BRITS website also has a new helpful addition – a completely free 14 day weather forecast for Laax, provided by Netweather, ensuring you can keep an anticipated eye on those clouds starting to gather full of lovely snow just in time for your week away in Laax!
The BRITS 2008 would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Animal, Quiksilver, Trespass, SNO!zone, Salomon, Ride, K2 and Faction Ski’s. Official retail partners TSA and Ellis Brigham. Media partners Whitelines, Dark Summer, Extreme.com, Snowboardclub.co.uk and Skiclub.co.uk and Official Destination Partners, Laax.

The Brits08 is coming to Laax between 29th March and 5th April 2008 and this year the special guest is the "Red Bull Home Run".

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