Olympic Valley, CA (Sunday, March 16, 2003) - The world's greatest snowboarders are lining up to prove their worth in the Ford Ranger FX4 Challenge to be held at Squaw Valley. The March 29-30 snowboard cross race has attracted 20 of the most elite racers in the world, and is one of the United States' first SBX events since the U.S. Olympic Committee announced the inclusion of the sport in the 2006 Olympics.

With an edgier, more radical course layout, getting to the base of the mountain first will take much more than pure speed as racers compete for their share of over $30,000 in prize money and a 2003 Ford Ranger Two-Year Lease.

The event's roster of 20 invited athletes is staggering and includes the top four SBX racers in the world - France's Xavier Delerue, Mickael David and Sylvain Duclos join Canadian Jasey Jay Anderson. The US Snowboard Team will also post a good turnout with team members Jeff Greenwood, Pete Thorndike, Ryan McDonald, Eric Warren and Ben Fairchild also having been invited. All will need to have the skill, speed and technical ability to attack the mountain and outrun Sweden's Jonte Grundelius, Germany's Sven Unger and others, and capture the title and prizes.

According to Race Designer Greg Nevolo, who also designs snowboard cross courses for the X Games, the course will provide enough challenges and excitement for both the athletes and the spectators. Although typical of this style racecourse, tabletops, bank turns, off-cam returns, and large rollers will play a major part in the design. The race will take place on Squaw Valley's upper mountain adjacent to the Main Line Terrain Park.

"Squaw Valley's terrain is no stranger to world class competition," explained Eric Brandt, Director of Marketing for Squaw Valley Ski Corp. "We look forward to watching the fierce competition as the best snowboard cross athletes in the business race head to head on our Olympic caliber terrain. It is sure to be an event to remember."


Ford Ranger FX4 Challenge Adds 'Open' Qualifier Component

To bring even more excitement to the Ford Ranger FX4 Challenge, the series is introducing an 'open' qualifying element designed to spark interest throughout the snowboard world. Based on a new qualifying format, any and all SBX racers will have the opportunity to compete in head-to-head racing against top international racers in the Ford race. On Saturday, registered qualifiers get two chances to run the course, and the top 12 will qualify to race in the Ford Ranger FX4 Challenge on Sunday, based their finish times.

Anyone interested in qualifying can register for the Ford Ranger FX4 Challenge at BAR 6 at Squaw Valley Resort on Saturday March 29 from 8:00 - 10:00 am. The cost is $50, and all registrants must complete registration and waiver forms on-site. Photo identification and a helmet are required.