SAINT DEEP SUMMER PHOTO CHALLENGE JOINS ROSTER OF EVENTS FOR KOKANEE CRANKWORX 2009
Six World-class Mountain Bike Photographers Will Present Slideshows Shot Over Three Days in Whistler, BC
WHISTLER, BC July 28, 2009 Kokanee Crankworx has added an epic artistic event to a packed roster of athletic events. Modeled after the legendary Arcteryx Deep Winter Photo Challenge; the Saint Deep Summer Photo Challenge pits six of the worlds best mountain bike photographers against the clock and each other to put together a slideshow, shot over three days. The Saint Deep Summer Photo Challenge slideshow presentations will take place at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, August 12, 2009.
The Saint Deep Summer Photo Challenge brings an artistic element to Kokanee Crankworx and we are stoked Saint and associate sponsors Nike 6.0 and Kokanee have come on board to help us bring this incredible summer event to life, says Michelle Leroux, event organizer. We have a very impressive line-up of photographers ready for the challenge, and with a canvas like the Whistler Mountain Bike Park and Whistler valley trails to work with, these slideshows are going to be unbelievable.
The competitors represent some of the worlds best mountain bike photographers. Mattias Fredriksson, Yorick Carroux, Harookz, Dan Barham and John Gibson will be rallying their athlete teams to embark on three days of intense shooting and editing commencing Friday, August 7. Slideshows will be handed in by the end of the day Monday, August 10. Then, on Wednesday, August 12 at 8pm, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler will play host to the Saint Deep Summer Photo Challenge slideshow event in front of an audience of up to 1,000.
I have been involved with several photo competitions like this in the winter time, but never with mountain biking, says Swedish photographer Mattias Fredriksson. To work tight in a team and create images together is nothing new for us, but to be able to showcase the work live for 1,000 mountain bike freaks just a few days after they have been produced will be so rad! I cant wait to get over to Whistler and do this.
Mattias is currently pulling his team together and has lined up Swedens Martin Söderström, who just won a major pro event called Big Bavaria and recently got the wild card for the Monster Energy Slopsestyle at 26 TRIX in Leogang, Austria and Trond G. Hansen from Norway. There is no doubt, the Saint Deep Summer Photo Challenge is going to expose awesome talent and artistry through every single slideshow slated to be presented.
This week Saint will also choose a Wildcard Photographer to join the competition. Based on a submission of three photos, one photographer will be chosen to stand up against the worlds best. Photographers interested in becoming the Wildcard need to submit their photos to mleroux@intrawest.com by 11:59pm on July 31.
With $6,000 in cash prizing and reputations on the line, there is a lot at stake. Head Judge and legendary photographer Paul Morrison will be joined by Decline Magazine Photo Editor Scott Hart, Canadian Press Photographer Jonathan Hayward and Whistler Mountain Bike Park Manager Brian Finestone to determine the top shows and crown Kokanee Crankworxs King of Summer.
Tickets are $15 and are on sale at Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations. They can also be purchased over the phone by calling 1.866.218.9690. Based on the popularity of the Deep Winter event, organizers anticipate the Saint Deep Summer Photo Challenge to sell out, so be sure to purchase the tickets in advance.
Get more information and RSVP for the Saint Deep Summer Photo Challenge at facebook.com/whistlerblackcomb. Keep up to date on all things Kokanee Crankworx through www.crankworx.com and make sure to add @Crankworx via Twitter for all the latest news.