The most anticipated event of the competitive snowboard season hit Perisher Blue today.

The Fructis Australian Snowboard Challenge 2004 is presented by Burton and will showcase Australia�s best snowboarders, competing in three disciplines: Super Half Pipe, Slopestyle and Big Air.

The Super Pipe was held this morning and all the big names of Australian snowboarding stepped up to the challenge, including members of the Olympic Winter Institute Australian Snowboard Team Andrew Burton and Ben Mates. Others names include Abi Bright, Ben Bright, and Clint Shirvington. Also competing is Ross Powers, winner of the gold medal in the Half Pipe competition at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Crowds went wild today as these talented riders flew high above their heads, performing unimaginable big air tricks. The event was eventually taken out by Andrew Finch from the USA for the men and local Ali Deane in the women�s.

The Fructis Australian Snowboard Championships have travelled between Mount Hotham and Falls Creek and will wrap things up in Perisher Blue on Sunday. It is one of the richest events of the season, offering a total prize pool of $60 000.

Competitors can look forward to world class facilities this weekend at Perisher Blue. The Super Half Pipe is maintained six nights a week during the season and has been prepared with meticulous care especially for the event. Groomers have spent the last three days demolishing the Slope Style course and the Big Air site in order to rebuild them to competition standards.

The events over the next two days will be exhilarating for spectators, and all areas will be easily accessible for viewing.

The Fructis Australian Snowboard Challenge 2004 will run as follows:

Saturday 4th September: Slope Style Qualifying Round Slope Style Final.

Sunday 5th September: Big Air Qualifying Round Big Air Final

For photo�s please contact Dave Kirwan, Media Supervisor on +61 (0)2 6459 4419.