2009 Salmon Extreme Freeride Championships at Taos on Track to Sell Out:

Freeride World Tour Qualifying Event Attracting Athletes From Across the Globe

 The 2009 Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships at Taos, held from March 4 – 7, has seen a record-breaking number of entrants to date and the event is almost sold out. More than 100 skiers and snowboarders are expected to compete in Taos, New Mexico during the 2009 installment of the Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships. The athletes will be chasing a $12,000 purse as well as the chance to qualify for Freeride World Tour events.

“We’re really happy with the registration so far,” says Taos’ Alejandro Blake. “The inclusion of the Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships at Taos as a qualifying event for the Freeride World Tour (FWT) has brought out a wide range of competitors, many from Europe and Canada. It’s a reflection of the quality of the terrain and competition here at Taos and we’re excited to show the world some authentic New Mexican hospitality.”

“This is a natural part of the progression of the event,” adds Chief of Race, Tom Winter. “With the inclusion of snowboarding, which is also supported by the FWT, as well as the opportunities that the Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships can now provide to the athletes who wish to compete on the World Tour, we’ve developed an event with global significance. It’s really cool and the level of competition should be the best ever.”

“Taos has always been one of the top events in big-mountain skiing and snowboarding,” adds Taos’ Alejandro Blake. “And the Freeride World Tour is the top international tour, featuring the best athletes and venues for this type of competition on the planet. We’re proud to be a part of it.”

s a qualifying venue for the FWT, the Taos event will allow athletes to gain points and become eligible to compete in the FWT’s four showcase events: The Nissan Russian Adventure (Sochi, Russia), Nissan Tram Face (Squaw Valley, USA), Nissan Freeride de Tignes (Tignes, France) and Nissan Xtreme (Verbier, Switzerland). Taos also joins an elite group of venues, from Italy and Norway to Austria and Slovakia as a FWT Qualifying event.

o learn more about this event, make reservations or to see results from past competitions, please visit skitaos.org/freeride. To learn more about the Freeride World Tour, check out freerideworldtour.com.