Animal produced their first videocast at this year's Brits in Laax, Switzerland which includes the the footage of a Mountain Biker, Snowboarder & Skier all doing flips on the same jump at the same time.. sick!
It's really well put together and gives you an insight into what team members get upto during the Brits and out and about in general.. well worth 16mins of anyone's time!
British Snow Tour Announces 2009 Credit Crunch-Busting Line-up!
2009 British Snowboard and Freeski Tour News Update.
The 2009 British Snowboard and Freeski Tour returns this summer serving up 12 British Championship events across four of the UK’s most established snowsport hotspots, Norfolk, Milton Keynes, Glasgow and Castleford. Over 130 British Championship medals are up for grabs along with prestigious TTR World Ranking points and a credit crunch-busting combined prize purse of over £20,000!
To make it even easier for everyone to get their shred on this summer the British Snow Tour has also introduced some amazing credit crunch specials, including:
FREE beginner lessons during each Championship event.
Entry to 3 indoor Championship events for the price of 2.
A mini ‘Artificial BRITS’ – Three artificial snowboard and freeski Championships over one bigger, better and more cost-effective weekend event.
British Snow Tour dates for your diaries:
British Artificial Championships
12th & 13th September 2009 – Norfolk, British Snowboard & Freeski Big Air, Slopestyle & Snowboard /Skiercross Championships
British Indoor Championships
19th September 2009 – Milton Keynes, British Snowboard & Freeski Big Air Championships
26th September 2009 – Glasgow, British Snowboard/Skiercross Championships
3rd October 2009 - Castleford, British Snowboard & Freeski Slopestyle Championships
British Invitational Championships
23rd October – Metro Ski & Snowboard Show
The British Snow Tour is open to all ability levels from novice to pro and is served up across five age categories, Kids, Youth, Junior, Senior and Masters. Pre-registration opens on the 1st August, so to book your spot to compete, find out more event news and info and snap up those credit crunch specials go to www.britishsnowtour.com
It's not every day you see a biker, a skier and snowboarder upside down in the same shot so you'd be forgiven for looking twice at this!
Day 2 at The BRITS winter snow sports festival saw yet another awesome moment on the mountain, this time on two wheels. The Animal British Slopestyle course was all prepared for the day's freeski event but the Animal team decided to give the course its first full run slightly differently... Animal sent out a top trio of the now legendary dirt jump maestro Sam Pilgrim on his bike, Dom Harington the silver medallist snowboard half pipe champ and James Webb, Silver medallist in the pro Slopestyle ski event, to test it out. The results were pretty awesome.
Check Webbo on his skis mid-superman and about to tuck into a front flip and Dom half way through his back flip. Dom nearly didn't make it to the bottom as he was too busy watching Sam in the air and almost forgot about his landing! All this while Sam's just cruising through the air executing yet another perfect back flip.
You will also spot Johno Verity on the far right following with his video camera, we had another fixed camera on the ground and Sam was using a bike cam. It couldn't have gone much better as you can see from the picture but our video coverage of the action will tell the full story.
The jump was something we had been planning for some time but had no idea if it was possible. How much speed would Sam need on a bike? Would the bike sink into take-off ramp? Would Sam skid out on landing and wipe out the others? Everyone was up for giving it a shot but Sam's biggest concern was the shape of the kickers which are designed for snowboards and skis, and have a much shallower take off than Sam is used to on the dirt. This meant that Sam's back flip would have a very slow rotation and he would need more time in the air to complete the spin. All this adds up to Sam having to go faster, jump higher and further to allow more air time!
Europe’s longest established winter snowsports festival, The BRITS, went down last week in Laax with some of the sickest riding and après shenanigans in the event's 20 year history as it celebrated its milestone birthday in style. It was a busy week where record breaking spins were spun, new heights reached, stars of the future found and a plethora of parties as debauched as ever!
Celebrating 20 years of snowsporting history, organisers and sponsors upped the ante to guarantee The BRITS 2009 was an absolute classic! Playing host to the prestigious British Snowboard and Freeski Championships, which witnessed kids, rookies, pros and Olympians, including Lesley McKenna, X Games Gold Medallist Jenny Jones, Ben Kilner, Jaime Nicholls, James Woods and Katie Summerhayes, all throwing down some of the highest standard of riding witnessed at the BRITS to date. The Championship action came courtesy of the Trespass Snowboardcross/Skiercross, Quiksilver Big Air, Animal Slopestyle and SNO!zone Halfpipe. For full daily competition event reports, results and images please check out the www.brits09.com website.
The all-new Après Session Arena with its array of entertainment and fully stocked bar proved unsurprisingly popular and kept the masses entertained after a sunny days shredding on the hill. Running alongside the live DJ and acoustic sets from the likes of hot new prospect Ben Howard, revellers thronged outside the Crap Bar for a raft of extracurricular festivities which included the Nike 6.0 Highest Ollie Challenge, in which Ben Kilner set a new British record of 1 metre (or 39” in old money) which secured him his 2nd of three wins during the week! 2009 also saw the return of the much loved Red Bull Homerun, in which a mix of 210 ‘pumped’ skiers and snowboarders jostled for a space on the front row at the start with all entrants determined to win the highly charged en masse Chinese downhill race.
The Cushe Air Bag was pounded all week long with a never-ending stream of eager freestylers greeted with a reassuringly Cushe landing, while the SUSO drinks team were at the heart of the Après Arena with their unique SUSO Slopeside Cinema to screen the greatest 20 film sections of all time as voted for by the public. Those making the final countdown and reaching the hall of fame were:
Freeski
Seth Johnson, “SM3, The Front Line”
2. C R Johnson, “SM3, The Front Line”
Simon Dumont, “Claim”
Sammy Carlson, “Reasons”
Snowboarding
Johan Olofsson, “Totally Board 5”
Romain De Marchi, “Vivid”
Travis Rice, “Pop”
Terje Haakonsen, “New Way of Thinking”
After the Après action and a couple of cold beers to whet the appetite it was then home, wash-down, and back out in time for one of the nightly club sessions, which witnessed the BRITS biggest ever music line-up! Headliners included DJ sets from The Go! Team, Vadim, Micky Finn and Bonobo with live sets from Gentlemen’s Pistols, Kandi Coded, Kovak and Jett Black offering a line-up with something for every musical taste, covering Rock, Hip-Hop, Funk, DnB, Electro Pop and some good old Cheesy 80s classics for the BRITS 20th Birthday Bash, which witnessed some wonderful and frankly weird fancy dress costumes!
If you return from Switzerland in a slight daze, don’t worry as Extreme Channel will be creating a half hour dedicated BRITS show, so you’ll be able to see how you spent the week or you can even get your stay-at-home mates to tune in and see what they missed! Exact timings of the show will be announced on the BRITS website, so keep checking back for more details. We’ve also been posting plenty of pics and podcasts of the action, both on and off the slopes, onto our website, so go check them out at www.britishsnowtour.com/0809/brits/gallery/index.html
And with that, the 20 year anniversary edition of the BRITS is all wrapped up and we look forward to welcoming you out to Laax next year for our 21st. We’ll shortly be posting new info about 2010 packages so stay tuned.
The BRITS, which is part of the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour would not have been possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Animal, Trespass, Quiksilver, SNO!zone, Cushe, SUSO, TSA and Ellis Brigham. Demo partners: DC, Ride, K2, Line and Clifbar. Media partners: Whitelines, Skiclub.co.uk, Metrosnow.co.uk, Extreme Sports Channel and Snowboardclub.co.uk. Destination partners: Switzerland Tourism and Laax.
The Nike 6.0 ‘Who Got Pop’ Highest Ollie Competition went off with a bang at this year’s British Snowboard Championships in Laax Switzerland.
A huge crowd gathered in the après ski arena on the Wednesday afternoon ready to watch the inaugural Nike 6.0 ‘Who Got Pop’ competition and find out once and for all which rider would claim the prestigious title of the Highest Ollie in British Snowboarding.
The proceedings kicked off with the slaying of the giant Brit’s 20th Birthday cake by the main men behind the event Stu Brass and Spencer Claridge. The 20 inch square cake was shared between over 300 hungry spectators proud to celebrate 20 years of the British Snowboard Championships.
The competition started with over seventy competitors vying for the ‘You Got Pop’ trophy and prize of £200’s worth of Nike vouchers and a Fondue Feast for six. Starting off at a lowly 2 foot – as the Ollie bar rose, the riders fell.
The final four came down to Angus Leith, Ben Kilner, Dan Wakeham and James Carr who all managed to clear the 90 CM mark… before moving on to the final challenge of the 1 metre Ollie.
After a nerve wracking final between fellow Scotsmen Angus Leith and Ben Kilner – Nike 6.0’s very own new boy on the block Ben Kilner was announced winner of the Nike 6.0 ‘Who Got Pop’ Highest Ollie Comp taking home the prize, trophy and glory of being the proud owner of the Highest Ollie in the UK.
Jenny Jones and Jamie Nicholls Take Slopestyle Titles The Animal British Slopestyle Championships
It was another glorious day at the BRITS 09 for the Animal Slopestyle Championships and what a way to finish off the week! 15 year old Jamie Nicholls broke a new BRITS record for being the youngest competitor to win the overall title and Jenny Jones threw down a world-class performance to take the 2009 Animal British Slopestyle Championship title.
In the women’s final it was Winter X-Games gold medallist, Jenny Jones, who added another gold medal and a British title to her already impressive career collection. Jenny dominated the finals with a technical run, which included a rock to fakie on the wall-ride, a switch frontside 180 into a tail-press on the box, followed by a big backside and frontside air in the quarterpipe. Over the kicker line Jenny stomped a huge backside 360, frontside 360 and frontside 540, all over the big kickers. Second place went to Laura Berry who had been killing it all day with a disaster on the wall-ride, 180 on and off the box and a backside 360 and frontside 540 over the kickers. Claire Frost finished in third with a selection of huge 360’s over the kickers.
Jenny Jones quoted: “I’m stoked to win, I flew in from America last night, so was a bit jet lagged and only had a quick practice. The BRITS is great and it’s lovely to make it my last stop of the season and celebrate with all my friends”.
The younger generation of riders coming up through the ranks stepped it up a level with Tom Hunt and Declan Power from the Junior GB squad qualifying through to the top 12 men’s final. Qualifying through to the finals in top spot, Jamie Nicholls consistently killed it and secured the 2009 Animal Slopestyle Championship title with an amazingly technical run. Jamie’s run included a frontside 360 tail tap over the barrel jib, a huge disaster on the wall-ride followed by a backside to fakie on the box and a huge cab 720 and alley oop rodeo in the quarterpipe. Over the kickers Jamie stomped a huge cab 900 and maintained his speed into a big backside 720 and frontside 720.
It was super tight between second and third place, with the silver medal going to Team GB rider Jack Shackleton. He started off his faultless run with a 360 over the barrel jib to disaster on the wall-ride followed by a big backside 540 and crippler in the quarterpipe. Over the jumps Jack landed a huge backside 360, cab 540 and cab 720. Third place went to Ben Kilner who had been riding super strong all day and nailed the top section of the course with a hand plant 360 over the barrel, huge rock to fakie on the wall-ride followed by a massive frontside 540 and haakon flip in the quarterpipe. Over the kickers he landed a big frontside 540, cab 540 and frontside 720.
Jamie Nicholls quoted “I’m so stoked, I really didn’t have a clue, oh wow! I loved the course and I enjoyed every minute of the comp. It’s great to come away with the overall title, as I came second last year. The BRITS is an amazing comp, it’s such a fun event”.
Animal British Slopestyle Championship Results
Men
1st - Jamie Nicholls, Halifax
2nd - Jack Shackleton, Newbury
3rd - Ben Kilner, Banchory
Women
1st - Jenny Jones, Bristol
2nd - Laura Berry, Milton Keynes
3rd – Claire Frost, Edinburgh
Don’t forget to check out the BRITS 2009 daily webcasts atwww.brits09.com, where you will be able to review the snowboard and freeski action from the previous day’s competition.
Day three at the BRITS saw the highly anticipated SNO!zone British Halfpipe Championships. The crowds welcomed the sunshine, but this made for quite challenging snow conditions for the riders. However, that didn’t stop World-class halfpipe runs being thrown down and World Cup Halfpipe Team members Lesley McKenna and Ben Kilner taking the top spots with faultless, technical runs.
The 12 man final was always going to be a tight competition with Team GB members Sam Cullum, Dom Harington, Ben Kilner, Dan Wakeham and James Foster all throwing down impressive technical runs to battle it out for the top three podium spots. It was 2010 Olympic hopeful, Ben Kilner, who was successful in taking the 2009 British Halfpipe title. In the two run, best-run counts final, Ben’s stylish and high amplitude second run impressed the judges and scored him the top spot. Ben’s run included a massive inverted 540, which was easily the highest air of the day, followed by a crippler and textbook backside 720. Dom Harington picked up his second medal of the week, securing second place with a smooth and technical run consisting of a huge frontside 540, backside 540, haakon flip and finishing off with a stylish switch rodeo. Riding well all day, Dan Wakeham had a technical run consisting of a massive mctwist, haakon flip, big inverted 7, massive air to fakie, but after falling on his final hit, he rode away with the bronze.
“I’m totally stoked at winning. I really enjoyed the competition, despite the conditions of the snow. I really like competing at the BRITS after a busy season of comps, it’s the most fun and enjoyable to ride at, so it’s great to win here this year.” – Ben Kilner said of his win.
In the women’s final, Olympian Lesley McKenna demonstrated her well-honed halfpipe skills to take the gold. She threw down two solid, technical runs, getting great amplitude out of the pipe, with her winning run consisting of frontside 720, cab 360, big frontisde indie and backside tailgrab to finish. Reigning champion, Kate Foster, fell in her first run and so the pressure was on for her second. She had a great solid run, which included frontside air, backside alley oop, front 360 and cab 360 combination to finish securing her the silver medal. Laura Hill had a smooth and technical run consisting of a front 360, cab 360, frontside 540 and backside 360, securing her the third podium spot.
“The conditions were challenging with such soft snow, I think all of the riders could’ve done so much more. But I’m really pleased with my win. It’s always so much fun at the BRITS, getting to ride with British Friends in such a fun atmosphere.” – Said Lesley McKenna of her win.
A special mention goes out to the younger riders pushing up through the ranks including, 13 year old British Junior Team rider Lewis Courtier Jones, who was boosting out of the pipe all day, and was the only Kids Men to make it through to the final, finishing in 10th overall. Fellow Team GB member, 16 year old Aimee Fuller, who was the youngest rider to make it through to the women’s final, threw down two technical runs showing great promise and potential. Watch this space for next year.
SNO!zone British Halfpipe Championship Results
Men
1st - Ben Kilner, Banchory
2nd - Dom Harington, Leeds
3rd - Dan Wakeham, Plymouth
Women
1st - Lesley Mckenna, Aviemore
2nd - Kate Foster, Sussex
3rd - Laura Hill, Leeds
Don’t forget to check out the BRITS 2009 daily webcasts at www.brits09.com where you will be able to review the snowboard and freeski action and après from the previous day’s competition.
Blue bird skies welcomed in the second day of the BRITS 09 for the Quiksilver Big Air Championships yesterday and the standard of riding was immense. Nate Kern set a new BRITS record with a backside 1260 and Laura Berry stepped it up with a huge 360 to take the 2009 British Quiksilver Big Air Championship titles.
The qualification rounds showcased just how high the current standard of UK snowboarding is with over 80 riders charging the kickers and throwing down a selection of huge 7’s 9’s and double back-flips. The 12 man final increased to 13 as the judging was too tight to call with younger riders including, Sparrow Knox and Tom Hunt from the Kids age category and Quiksilver’s very own Jamie Nicholls impressively taking a spot.
The level of riding stepped up a gear again during the men’s final as Nate Kern landed the first ever 1260 witnessed at the BRITS to take the 2009 British Quiksilver Big Air Title. Second place went to Halifax local and big air specialist Andy Nudds, who landed a huge frontside 1080 whilst third place with a textbook cab 1080 went to Dom Harington.
Nate who also set the record for landing the first ever 1080 at the 2006 BRITS quoted:” It’s amazing and I’m really happy to come out and regain the title. I wasn’t thinking about it as setting a new record, I just wanted to step it up a level, you know, to keep progressing the sport. The level of competition was off the scale and I’m so happy I brought it together today”
In the women’s final it was Laura Berry who was victorious and took the 2009 Quiksilver Big Air Title after she landed a super smooth and solidly grabbed 360 over the big kicker. Second place went to Claire Frost who had been killing it all day with a huge 360 over the big kicker. Jo Chastney also stepped it up to take third place after she pulled out a cab 540 over the medium kicker.
Laura Berry quoted: “I missed the last two BRITS because of an injury so this is pretty sweet. “I’m really stoked. It’s awesome to be back and I’m really pleased I landed the 360”
Quiksilver British Big Air Championship Results
Men
1st – Nate Kern, Sussex
2nd – Andy Nudds, Halifax
3rd – Dom Harington, Leeds
Women
1st – Laura Berry, Milton Keynes
2nd – Claire Frost, Edinburgh
3rd - Jo Chastney, Dorset
Don’t forget to check out the BRITS 2009 daily webcasts at www.brits09.com, where you will be able to review the snowboard and freeski action from the previous day’s competition.
The BRITS, which is part of the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Animal, Quiksilver, Trespass, SNO!zone, Cushe, SUSO, TSA and Ellis Brigham. Demo partners: DC, Ride, K2, Line and Clifbar. Media partners: Whitelines, Skiclub.co.uk, Metrosnow.co.uk, Extreme Sports Channel and Snowboardclub.co.uk. Destination partners: Switzerland Tourism and Laax
Brits podcasts Posted Tuesday 31st March 2009, 4:17 pm by Dunx
On the first day of the 2009 British Snowboard Championships it was time for the racers to show off some high speed action in the Trespass British Snowboardcross Championships, which witnessed over 100 snowboarders going head to head down the challenging course until only the fastest remained to battle it out in the finals. Snowsport GB Team members, James Foster and Zoe Gillings dominated the day’s competition, both gaining the two fastest race times of the competition as well as claiming the titles, for the second year running.
In the women’s final, it was set to be a fast paced race with three of the four finalists being Snowsport GB team members and snowboardcross specialists. Zoe Gillings, who had got the overall fastest time in the first round of qualifications, got away from the others first with a great fast start out of the gates. Hitting the first jump Zoe increased her lead even further following a couple of the other competitors crashing, but all rode away to continue the race. Zoe held onto her lead for the entire race, securing her the top spot and title for a second year running. As Zoe crossed the finish line, Lesley was hitting the last kicker of the course finishing in second place, followed by Dani Stone in third and Ivy Taylor in fourth.
Zoe Gillings said – “It was awesome to win! I’ve been competing in Snowboardcross all season so couldn’t have had better training for today. As I was one of the favourites to win that added extra pressure so I feel really happy and relieved at the same time to have won.”
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 got the fastest time overall of the days competition and had been riding solidly all day, got away from the others first and despite the others being hot on his heels throughout the whole course, he held onto his lead for the entire race securing him the top spot and the title for the second year running. The rest of the riders all had solid faultless runs and continued to try and close the gap on James but his impressive run meant no one got the chance to steal his lead on this occasion. Second over the finish line was Tim McGregor followed by Nick Dudar and in fourth place David Osgood.
“It’s really good to be back at the BRITS, the course was bigger and better this year and luckily the weather was kind to us. I’m very happy to have won as it’s my first race of the season”, said James Foster of his win.
Trespass British Snowboardcross Results
Men
1st – James Foster
2nd – Tim McGregor
3rd – Nick Dudar
4th – David Osgood
Women
1st – Zoe Gillings
2nd – Lesley McKenna
3rd – Dani Stone
4th – Ivy Taylor
Don’t forget to check out the BRITS 2009 daily webcasts at www.brits09.com, where you will be able to review the snowboard and freeski action from the previous day’s competition. The webcast for today’s competition will be available to view from approximately 12 noon on Tuesday 31st March.
The BRITS, which is part of the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors: Animal, Quiksilver, Trespass, SNO!zone, Cushe, SUSO, TSA and Ellis Brigham. Demo partners: DC, Ride, K2, Line and Clifbar. Media partners: Whitelines, Skiclub.co.uk, Metrosnow.co.uk, Extreme Sports Channel and Snowboardclub.co.uk. Destination partners: Switzerland Tourism and Laax
Only a week to go before the BRITS 09 gets under way in Laax, Switzerland and in preparation the pistes are being groomed, fun parks lovingly shaped and the après arena’s skilfully assembled. This year will also see the return of the much loved Red Bull Home Run and new for this year the NIKE 6.0 Highest Ollie Challenge. Leading hardware brands Ride, DC, Salomon, K2, Lines Skis and Volkl will also be on hand throughout the week to offer FREE demo testing!
Red Bull Home Run Returns
The cherry on the top for the BRITS extracurricular activities comes in the form of the Red Bull Home Run. Back by popular demand for 2009, the en-masse elbows out race from the top of the mountain to the Crap Bar five miles below brings a whole new definition to the term, thigh-burn! The Home Run is open to all BRITS wristband holders and will finish the BRITS week off in true ‘Chinese Downhill’ fashion on Friday 3rd April.
NIKE 6.0 ‘Who’s Got Pop’ Highest Ollie Challenge
The NIKE 6.0 crew have joined forces with the BRITS to challenge the UK’s snowboarding community to see who has the ‘Greatest Pop’ and set a new UK highest ollie record. The challenge is open to all BRITS wristband holders and will take place at the bottom of the hill in the Après Session Arena on Wednesday 1st April. A slap up Swiss feast for the winner and their crew along with the fame and glory is up for grabs and there’s even free 20th birthday cake for everyone taking in the action.
Demo Village
Leading hardware brands Ride, DC, Salomon, K2, Lines Skis and Volkl will be laying on their full range of ski and snowboard hardware to test throughout the BRITS week. The offer is FREE to all BRITS wristband holders, with no obligation to buy. Simply stroll through the Demo Village of tents at the après sessions to see what takes your fancy and the helpful crew will set you up for the next day’s riding.
BRITS packages start from as little as £269* which includes – 7 nights’ accommodation, 6 days lifts pass and most importantly your BRITS event pack and wristband. Check out the BRITS website for all information www.brits09.com
Celebrating its 20th Birthday this year, Europe’s ultimate and longest established winter festival, The BRITS gets ready to light the fuse of its biggest ever music line-up! Headliners include DJ sets from The Go! Team, Vadim, Mickey Finn, and Bonobo with live sets from Gentleman’s Pistols, Kandi Coded, Kovak and a very special guest to be announced! The BRITS music line-up looks set to offer something for every musical taste covering, Rock, Hip-Hop, Funk, DnB, Electro Pop and some good old Cheesy 80’s classics for the BRITS 20th Birthday Bash.
Each day DJs will be positioning themselves in snowy strongholds around the mountain to blast out tunes across the slopes and Championship action. Off the hill it’s into the bar for a spot of après with live daily DJ and acoustic sets from the likes of Ben Howard and Joel Erith, then home, wash-down, and back out in time for one of nightly club sessions. Just remember, it’s a marathon…not a sprint!
Trespass Hip-hop Night – Presents Scratch, DJ Vadim, Matt Smooth, DJ Lyley & Nick Maxwell
Trespass in association with Skiclub.co.uk will be getting the b-boys and b-girls jumpin on Sunday when they host a night of hip-hop with Scratch and special guest DJ Vadim. Throwing down their faves from the old school and adding the best of the new for that perfect block rockin' blend!
TSA Rock Night – Presents Gentlemans Pistols, Jett Black & Kandi Coded
The TSA ROCK night in association with Dalikfodda and SCUK is locked and loaded and ready to kick the bejesus out of Monday night at the BRITS. Gentleman’s Pistols, Jett Black and Kandi Coded (snowboarding legend, Jamie Lynn’s band) will crank up the Riders Palace PA system and blast out some ferocious and downright dirty Rock & Roll. Get your ear plugs ready… this one’s gonna hurt!
Quik Sessions FUNK Night – Presents, Funk Royale with Deep Sax & MC Tukka
For all the funk brothers and sisters the Funk Royale crew featuring DJs, Mr Chex, Ben ‘Sneaker’ Bailey, Matt Smooth, MC Tukka and Depp Sax will be bringing their classic blockparty sounds and carnival vibes to the BRITS on Tuesday for the Quick Sessions Funk Night in association with Whitleines. Their mission, to bring booty shaking funk to party loving crowds….all nightlong baby!
SNO!zone DRUM n BASS Night – Presents, Darren Jay, Mickey Finn & MC Rhymes
Drum and Bass heavyweight DJ’s, Mickey Finn & Darren Jay along with Bushman, Seb Kern and MC Rhymes will be making the BRITS bounce when they unleash their tearout beats on Wednesday night for the SNO!zone Drum n Bass night in association with Cushe and Metrosnow.co.uk. Digging deep in the crates they’ll be dropping some classic jump up tunes and hot hot dubplates, including some exclusives from Mickey’s own Urban Takeover label, leaving you always wanting one more rewind!
Animal Indie/Electro Night – Presents, The Go! Team DJ’s & Kovak
We were introduced to Kovak and their insanely catchy ‘I Love the Dance Floor’ track at last year’s BRITS. Back by popular demand for the Animal night in association with The Extreme Sports Channel, Kovak will be taking to the stage on Thursday night, following a live DJ set from Animal’s very own, Dom Harington. Headlining the party will be The Go! Team - whose main man, Ian Parton, and guitarist Sam Dook will be finishing the night off in style with a rare and exclusive DJ set.
Switzerland Tourism CHEESE Night – Very special guests to be announced!
To celebrate 20 years of the BRITS, Switzerland Tourism will be flying over very special guests, which will soon be announced to host the BRITS fancy dress 20th Birthday Bash! (Come as anything beginning with the letter “B”). Firmly grasping the party reins on the last night of the BRITS at the Riders Palace, the BRITS ‘B’ Party will top off the week with a night of classic 80’s tunes and flash dancer fever moves.
As well as a celebrated winter festival, The BRITS plays host to the prestigious British Snowboard and Freeski Championships that unites kids, rookies, pros and Olympians. The Championship action comes courtesy of the Trespass Snowboardcross/Skiercross, Quiksilver Big Air, Animal Slopestyle and SNO!zone Halfpipe.
BRITS packages start from as little as £269* which includes – 7 nights’ accommodation, 6 days lifts pass and most importantly your BRITS event pack and wristband, which gives you access to event clubs and bars. So to join the 1000 or so revellers that will be hitting the BRITS for a week full of freestyle, music and mayhem and for a full music line-up, check out the BRITS website and get booking – www.brits09.com
To help celebrate 20 years of the BRITS, our friends and event sponsors at SUSO will be offering BRITS attendee’s the chance to kick-back and relax at the SUSO Slopeside Cinema, showing a selection of the top voted ski and snowboarding sections from over the last two decades. BRITS’ footwear partners, Cushe will also be offering some extra slope time and soft landings for those wanting to strap in and go for the double over at the Cushe Air Bag.
SUSO has joined up with core sports film makers the world over to bring you the very best ski and snowboard films of the last two decades. The top 20 shortlisted sections will be played at the BRITS each evening for your viewing pleasure on the enormous SUSO Slopeside Cinema, slap bang in the heart of the Après Sessions Arena. To make sure your favourite sections from over 50 of the world’s leading titles, including, TB1, to, TB10, Vivid and Future Proof are played, get voting at: www.suso.co.uk/brits
Aspiring filmmakers will also have the opportunity to showcase their latest creations on the big screen and SUSO are offering two lucky voters the chance to sample the BRITS with them for FREE, so get voting as the countdown to the Top 20 from the Past 20 begins… not ‘alf!
For those of you that have spent the whole day watching the action, official footwear partners of the BRITS, Cushe, will be on hand to offer some extra slope time and Cushe landings over on the Cushe Air Bag. Situated in the midst of the Après Sessions Arena, the Cushe Air Bag will give maverick riders the freedom to push boundaries with a touch of extra style, comfort and ultimately the reassurance of “A Cushe landing”…you see what they’ve done there!
The SUSO Slopeside Cinema and Cushe Air Bag are FREE for all BRITS wrist band holders. Packages out to the BRITS, which includes 7 nights’ accommodation, 6 days lift pass, festival wrist band and event bag are still available and start from as little as £269*. To make sure you don’t miss out on being part of this legendary event, go to: www.brits09.com
and get booking!
The BRITS 2009, 28th March – 4th April, Laax, Switzerland.
Leading UK brand Animal will once more be presenting the British Slopestyle Championships at the BRITS 2009 as well as flying over electro-rockers Kovak and The Go! Team for an exclusive DJ set for the Animal ‘INDIE-ELECTRO Night’ in association with the Extreme Sports Channel. Animal’s Pro Mountain Biker Sam Pilgrim, winner of some of Europe’s biggest dirt Slopestyle events will also step up to the Slopestyle Challenge at this year’s BRITS by hitting the Animal Slopestyle course on his bike!
Animal’s World-class snow team, which includes British Champions and future Olympic hopefuls, Dom Harington, Kate Foster, Samantha Rogers, James Webb and Becky Hammond, will all be competing at this year’s BRITS, with the Animal Freeski Slopestyle Championships taking place on Tuesday 31st March and the Snowboard Championships, which is a Swatch TTR 3-STAR Event, on Thursday 2nd April.
The UK’s Slopestyle heavyweights will be joined by Animal’s Pro Mountain Biker – Sam Pilgrim, who will be ditching the dirt for snow when he attempts the downhill Animal Slopestyle Course on his Bike! The 2008 Nissan Qashqai Freeride event winner will attempt his dirt moves on the snow in a display of hybrid freestyle action before the Animal Slopestyle Finals get underway – One definitely not to be missed!
If you prefer to demonstrate your creativity on the dance floor then the Animal ‘INDIE-ELECTRO Night’ is definitely the place to be. We were introduced to Kovak and their insanely catchy ‘I Love the Dance Floor’ track at last year’s BRITS, which reached number one in the Indiestore charts in October 2008. Back by popular demand, Kovak will be taking to the stage on Thursday night following a live DJ set from Animal’s very own, Dom Harington.
Headlining the party will be The Go! Team - whose main man, Ian Parton, and guitarist Sam Dook will be finishing the night off in style with a rare and exclusive DJ set. Given their eclectic and experimental sound expect an entertaining mix of the indie/pop/electro/hip-hop/soul sounds that define their riotously energetic, critically acclaimed and Mercury nominated album sounds… and a fair few surprises too!
BRITS packages start from as little as £269* which includes – 7 nights’ accommodation, 6 days lifts pass and most importantly your BRITS event pack and wristband (which gives you access to event clubs and bars). So to join the 1000 or so revellers that will be hitting the BRITS for a week full of freestyle, music and mayhem, check out the BRITS website and get booking www.brits09.com
Returning to Laax for the auspicious 20th Anniversary of The BRITS, Extreme.com will be battering your bandwidth with news, videos, interviews, product reviews and blogs direct from the slopes.
Arming themselves with the ultimate presenting powers of Tim and Jools from Snowfix, cameras, Red Bull and thick socks they will be working tirelessly to bring you every tweak, flip and caught edge directly to Extreme.com; and when the action on the slope finishes, they will be in the bars and clubs catching all the great live music that will keep this years BRITS pumping.
So if you can’t make it to Laax then go and buy a load of bean bag stuffing, fill up your front room so it looks like it’s snowed and then log on to www.extreme.com and join in the fun.
To help celebrate 20 years of the BRITS, those imaginative bods at SUSO have joined up with legendary core sports film makers Standard Films, Poor Boyz Productions, Absinthe Films, and Matchstick Productions to compile the ultimate movie section voting poll, and they are asking YOU, the Great British Snowsporting Public, to make your feelings felt and vote for your favourite movie sections of all time at www.suso.co.uk/brits.
One lucky voter will win a trip out to the BRITS Festival for 2 people where the Top 20 Ski and Snowboard movie sections will then be screened throughout the week counting down to the chart-toppers… not 'alf mate!
Will it be Johan's mind-blowing TB5 section, Romain's insanity in Vivid, Travis Rice taking it to the hoop in Pop... ooh the anticipation.
Yes, you did read correctly, Jamie Lynn - owner of the greatest style in the business - is flying in from Seattle with his rock band, Kandi Coded to kick the hell out of the TSA & SCUK Rock Night at the BRITS! Gentlemans Pistols and Jett Black are also on the bill, to round off a big night of greasy and down-right dirty Rock 'n' Roll.
Taken from the BRITS website:
As well as being a snowboard legend with one of the best styles in the game and an acclaimed artist Jamie Lynn is also the guitarist/singer of big'n'loud Seattle rock band Kandi Coded who are stoked to be playing the TSA rock night as part of the Dalikfodda tour thanks to one of Jamie's and the tour's sponsors Dragon who are bringing them over from the US for this exclusive show before they head back to the states to tour the west coast supporting Turbonegro.
Further details about the TSA Rock Night in association with SCUK can be found here!
The Red Bull Home Run is back at the Brits09! The en masse and elbows out race from the top of the mountain all the way to the Crap Bar (five miles below) brings a whole new definition to the term, thigh-burn!
Last year was sheer lunacy and saw around 300 nutters give race with, remarkably, a zero casualty count... incredible considering. Anyhow, it remained a talking point for months after the event and so is back by popular demand. Red Bull Home Run is open to all BRITS wristband holders that are brave enough to enter.
BRITS Packages start from as little as £269 at the famous Riders Palace. Check out www.brits09.com for further details and booking.
Quiksilver will be hosting the Big Air Championships - one of the biggest draws of the Brits 09, on Tuesday 31st March & Thursday 2nd April and you could be there to witness the action. Quiksilver are giving away accommodation, lift passes, party tickets and VIP Passes to the Quiksessions Funk Night in association with DJs Funk Royale and Whitelines.
Not only will you be invited to watch the British Snowboarding Championships but you'll also get a chance to go riding with Quiksilver team riders James Thorne, Jamie Nicholls, Ollie Jackson, Henry Shackleton and legendary Quiksilver Team Manager James Stentiford.
The BRITS 2009, 28th March – 4th April, Laax, Switzerland.
The BRITS 2009 and SNO!zone, the UK’s largest indoor snow slope operator, are pleased to announce their continued partnership on and off the slopes at this year’s BRITS when they take the title rights for the SNO!zone British Halfpipe Championships and host the SNO!zone Drum and Bass night in association with Cushe and Metrosnow.co.uk.
The SNO!zone Freeski Halfpipe Championships will kick start the week's competition on Monday 30th March, with the Snowboard Halfpipe Championships taking place on Wednesday 1st April. 20ft airs and back to back 9s were among the tricks showcased in 2008 and with the Winter Olympics just around the corner and snowboarders, Dan Wakeham and Ben Kilner, plus freeskier Paddy Graham in the line-up, the 2009 SNO!zone Halfpipe Championships promises to be another belter.
SNO!zone’s partnership with the Brits as Halfpipe sponsor is strengthened back in the UK with the three SNO!zone slopes playing host to the British Snowboard and Freeski UK Tour. SNO!zone also supports and cultivates the talent of over 50 promising riders from grass roots level, many of whom are competing at this years Brits, including future Olympians Zoe Gillings and Dom Harington plus Murray Buchan, Jamie Nicholls and Claire Frost. For more information visit: www.snozoneuk.com
Drum and Bass heavyweight DJs, Mickey Finn & Darren Jay along with Bushman, Seb Kern and MC Rhymes will be making the BRITS bounce when they unleash their tearout beats at the Riders Palace on Wednesday night. Digging deep in the crates they’ll be dropping some classic jump up tunes and hot hot dubplates, including some exclusives from Mickey’s own Urban Takeover label, leaving you always wanting one more rewind!
BRITS packages out to the event start from as little as £269* which includes – 7 nights accommodation, 6 days lifts pass and most importantly your BRITS event pack and wristband (which gives you access to event clubs and bars). Check out the BRITS website for all information on www.brits09.com
The TSA ROCK night in association with Dalikfodda and SCUK is locked and loaded and ready to kick the bejesus out of Monday night at the BRITS when Gentlemans Pistols and Jett Black crank up the Riders Palace PA system and blast out some ferocious and downright dirty Rock & Roll. Get your ear plugs ready… this one’s gonna hurt!
The Gentlemans Pistols have earned themselves a legendary cult status ‘up north’ and across the UK with their ferocious live shows blowing everyone away. With a debut album out and headlining their second Dalikfodda tour this season, Gentlemans Pistols will be rolling into Laax to Rock the BRITS with their brand of no frills, downright dirty, greasy Rock & Roll. “Drenched in vintage sonics, this is the sound of valve amps cranked up to 11 and bass that rumbles like a Harley engine” Ronnie Kerswell, Rock Sound Magazine.
The BRITS 2009, 28th March – 4th April, Laax, Switzerland
2008 saw Jett Black play festivals from T in the Park to Boardmasters, record a debut album and get a coveted Kerrang! intro. With a love of classic rock & 80’s metal, killer riffs and huge hooks all delivered in a tight live show, Jett Black will be hitting the BRITS on the back of their first Euro tour with the Gents & the Dalikfodda Deathpunks.
To make sure you don’t miss out on the Monday night moshpit, get involved at: www.brits09.com and book a BRITS package, which starts from as little as £269* and includes – 7 nights’ accommodation, 6 days lift pass and most importantly your BRITS event pack and wristband, which gives you access to all of the event clubs and bars.
Leading sportswear brand, Trespass will be stepping up to the start gates again at this year’s BRITS when they take the title rights for the Trespass Snowboardcross and Skiercross Championships. New for 2009, Trespass in association with Metrosnow.co.uk will be the first out of the BRITS entertainment start gates, when they host a night of hip hop with Scratch, the legendary club and DJ collective, on Sunday 29th March 2009.
The Trespass Snowboardcross and Skiercoss Championships witnessed a clean sweep for Team GB in 2008, with riders Zoe Gillings, James Foster and skiers Emily Sarsfield and Angus Morison smashing new BRITS time records and claiming all top four podium spots. With the 2010 winter Olympics fast approaching and Team GB tipped to be in top shape, will it be a Team GB landslide in 2009 or due to the unpredictable nature of the Snowboardcross and Skiercross disciplines will a new rising star emerge.
Established in ‘96 Scratch quickly became a leading player in UK hip hop culture from rapping & DJing to breakdancing & street art. Over the years Scratch has played host to many of the most influential DJ's and artists from around the world including: The Pharcyde, De La Soul, Grand Master Flash, Jurassic 5, Public Enemy and Eminem to name just a few. They run a monthly residency in London and Gothenburg and now add Laax to their list of conquests when original residents Matt Smooth and DJ Lyley will be joined by Nick Maxwell (the Menagerie) and very special headline guest DJ Vadim (Ninja Tune)
The Trespass Snowboardcross Championships will kick start the BRITS Snowboard competition programme on Monday 30th March, with the Skiercross competition taking place on Wednesday 1st April. The Trespass party, in association with Metrosnow.co.uk, will set the tempo for the week’s evening entertainment on Sunday evening.
BRITS packages out to the event start from as little as £269* which includes – 7 nights’ accommodation, 6 days lifts pass and most importantly your BRITS event pack and wristband (which gives you access to event clubs and bars). Check out the BRITS website for all information – www.brits09.com
To celebrate 20 years of the BRITS, Switzerland Tourism have brought in 80’s DJ legend, Barry Peters and dance troupe, Triple Threat to host the BRITS fancy dress 20th Birthday Bash! Firmly grasping the party reins on the last night of the BRITS, Friday 3rd April, Peters and Co will top off the week with a night of classic 80’s tunes and Flashdance fever moves.
The fancy dress theme is anything beginning with the letter “B”, so dig out that banana costume, join forces with friends as the Beatles or squeeze into a mankini and bare all as Borat and let’s get ready to party like it's 1989!
Barry Peters and Kevin are the 80's throwback father and son comedy combo brought to life by Mike Keat and Archie Easton of the Cuban Brothers fame. These hilarious alter egos feature Keat as Barry Peters – a misguided, middle aged local DJ personality and Easton as Kevin – his hyper-active teenage son. Barry orchestrates the dance troupe, Triple Threat as Kevin and his pals – limp wristed disco champion J.J.Jones and mysterious oriental eye candy, Derek Japan, unleash their camp but sharp contemporary dance routines to awestruck audiences.
As well as a celebrated winter festival, The BRITS plays host to the prestigious British Snowboard and Freeski Championships that unites kids, rookies, pros and Olympians. The Championship action comes courtesy of the Trespass Snowboardcross/Skiercross, Quiksilver Big Air, Animal Slopestyle and SNO!zone Halfpipe.
BRITS packages start from as little as £269* which includes – 7 nights’ accommodation, 6 days lifts pass and most importantly your BRITS event pack and wristband (which gives you access to event clubs and bars). So to join the 1000 or so revellers that will be hitting the BRITS for a week full of freestyle, music and mayhem, check out the BRITS website and get booking – www.brits09.com
Europe’s longest established winter snowsports festival, The BRITS celebrates its 20th Birthday next year when it returns to Laax, Switzerland from the 28th March – 4th April 2009 for an unmissable winter week. Fresh from a pre BRITS reccy out to Laax, Soul Sports chief, Stu Brass reports back on the brand new resort development and epic early season snow conditions.
Stu says
“Laax has undergone a brand new development in resort, the Rocksresort, which has already been given a design award and will give the resort and the BRITS an ultra modern twist, including new shops, restaurants and accommodation options. The amazing snow conditions and the 40inch base layer, promises for a long season and will help to create yet another amazing snow park and freestyle arena that Laax and the BRITS are renowned for.”
As well as a celebrated winter festival, The BRITS plays host to the prestigious British Snowboard and Freeski Championships that unites kids, rookies, pros and Olympians. The Championship action comes courtesy of the Trespass Snowboardcross/Skiercross, Quiksilver Big Air, Animal Slopestyle and SNO!zone Halfpipe. So if you fancy bagging yourself a British title, gold medal, TTR World Ranking points (snowboard) and bragging rights for a whole year, then register online now to compete and get practicing whilst the snow’s still soft. Registration is now live www.brits09.com and the competition programme has been confirmed.
BRITISH SNOWBOARD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Trespass Snowboardcross Championships - Monday 30th March
Quiksilver Big Air Championships - Tuesday 31st March
SNO!zone Halfpipe Championships - Wednesday 1st April
Animal Slopestyle Championships - Thursday 2nd April
BRITISH FREESKI CHAMPIONSHIPS
SNO!zone Halfpipe Championships - Monday 30th March
Animal Slopestyle Championships - Tuesday 31st March
Trespass Skiercross Championships - Wednesday 1st April
Quiksilver Big Air Championships - Thursday 2nd April
To celebrate 20 years of snowsporting history, organisers and sponsors have upped the ante to guarantee The BRITS 2009 is an absolute classic! Over the coming months we’ll reveal all the extra programming for the 1000 or so revellers that will be hitting The BRITS for a week full of freestyle, music and mayhem.
Come join in the fun and festivities with unbeatable packages out to The BRITS starting from as little as £269* which includes – 7 nights’ accommodation, 6 days lifts pass and most importantly your BRITS event pack and wristband. Go to: www.brits09.com
SCUK 
The competition started with over seventy competitors vying for the ‘You Got Pop’ trophy and prize of £200’s worth of Nike vouchers and a Fondue Feast for six. Starting off at a lowly 2 foot – as the Ollie bar rose, the riders fell.
Celebrating its 20th Birthday this year, Europe’s ultimate and longest established winter festival, The BRITS gets ready to light the fuse of its biggest ever music line-up! Headliners include DJ sets from The Go! Team, Vadim, Mickey Finn, and Bonobo with live sets from Gentleman’s Pistols, Kandi Coded, Kovak and a very special guest to be announced! The BRITS music line-up looks set to offer something for every musical taste covering, Rock, Hip-Hop, Funk, DnB, Electro Pop and some good old Cheesy 80’s classics for the BRITS 20th Birthday Bash. 
To help celebrate 20 years of the BRITS, our friends and event sponsors at SUSO will be offering BRITS attendee’s the chance to kick-back and relax at the SUSO Slopeside Cinema, showing a selection of the top voted ski and snowboarding sections from over the last two decades. BRITS’ footwear partners, Cushe will also be offering some extra slope time and soft landings for those wanting to strap in and go for the double over at the Cushe Air Bag. 
Leading UK brand Animal will once more be presenting the British Slopestyle Championships at the BRITS 2009 as well as flying over electro-rockers Kovak and The Go! Team for an exclusive DJ set for the Animal ‘INDIE-ELECTRO Night’ in association with the Extreme Sports Channel. Animal’s Pro Mountain Biker Sam Pilgrim, winner of some of Europe’s biggest dirt Slopestyle events will also step up to the Slopestyle Challenge at this year’s BRITS by hitting the Animal Slopestyle course on his bike!
Yes, you did read correctly, Jamie Lynn - owner of the greatest style in the business - is flying in from Seattle with his rock band, Kandi Coded to kick the hell out of the TSA & SCUK Rock Night at the BRITS! Gentlemans Pistols and Jett Black are also on the bill, to round off a big night of greasy and down-right dirty Rock 'n' Roll.
The Red Bull Home Run is back at the Brits09! The en masse and elbows out race from the top of the mountain all the way to the Crap Bar (five miles below) brings a whole new definition to the term, thigh-burn! 
The SNO!zone Freeski Halfpipe Championships will kick start the week's competition on Monday 30th March, with the Snowboard Halfpipe Championships taking place on Wednesday 1st April. 20ft airs and back to back 9s were among the tricks showcased in 2008 and with the Winter Olympics just around the corner and snowboarders, Dan Wakeham and Ben Kilner, plus freeskier Paddy Graham in the line-up, the 2009 SNO!zone Halfpipe Championships promises to be another belter.
The Gentlemans Pistols have earned themselves a legendary cult status ‘up north’ and across the UK with their ferocious live shows blowing everyone away. With a debut album out and headlining their second Dalikfodda tour this season, Gentlemans Pistols will be rolling into Laax to Rock the BRITS with their brand of no frills, downright dirty, greasy Rock & Roll. “Drenched in vintage sonics, this is the sound of valve amps cranked up to 11 and bass that rumbles like a Harley engine” Ronnie Kerswell, Rock Sound Magazine. 
The Trespass Snowboardcross and Skiercoss Championships witnessed a clean sweep for Team GB in 2008, with riders Zoe Gillings, James Foster and skiers Emily Sarsfield and Angus Morison smashing new BRITS time records and claiming all top four podium spots. With the 2010 winter Olympics fast approaching and Team GB tipped to be in top shape, will it be a Team GB landslide in 2009 or due to the unpredictable nature of the Snowboardcross and Skiercross disciplines will a new rising star emerge. 
Barry Peters and Kevin are the 80's throwback father and son comedy combo brought to life by Mike Keat and Archie Easton of the Cuban Brothers fame. These hilarious alter egos feature Keat as Barry Peters – a misguided, middle aged local DJ personality and Easton as Kevin – his hyper-active teenage son. Barry orchestrates the dance troupe, Triple Threat as Kevin and his pals – limp wristed disco champion J.J.Jones and mysterious oriental eye candy, Derek Japan, unleash their camp but sharp contemporary dance routines to awestruck audiences.
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