3Snowkite WM, 14 – 20 February 2005, Obertauern, Salzburg

They jump higher than any freestyler, show breath-taking air acrobatics and glide with high-speed above snow covered-meadows. The stars of this new trend sport know exactly how to handle their kites in order to make use of the power of the wind to achieve the ultimate kick. The results are definitely worth watching for the audience!

Alex Schwab (AUT), Armin Von Seeler (formerly Armin Schwarz, GER), Guillaume Chastagnol (F) and Max Taggart (G – these are only 4 names of all the famous snowkite stars who will fight for the title of World Champion in Obertauern. At the 3Snowkite WM, which will take place from 14–20 of February, the snowkite elite will be present in order to guarantee a breath-taking adventure for the audience.

32 riders will be competing against each other on skis or snowboards in the 2 disciplines of race and freestyle. Riders who managed to be among the top ten of the Semnoz Tour 2004 (Freestyle World Championships) or the 2004 World Championships in Silvaplana, Switzerland, (race discipline) are already qualified for the 3Snowkite WM. All the other riders have the possibility to get their ticket for the World Championships at the qualification which will take place on the 14^th and 15^th of February 2005 in Obertauern. Austrian riders have the chance to qualify a little earlier, as the 4 best Austrian riders of the Austrian Open (28–30 January) will get 4 wildcards for the 3Snowkite WM.

Guillaume Chastagnol – the winner of the Semnoz Tour – already has his ticket for the World Championships. The French guy is a snowboard pro and not only a master in the halfpipe – he also managed to reach the second place of the X-Games and the fourth place in the Olympic Games. Another snowkiting expert is definitely Max Taggart from England. Excellent in windsurfing and parachuting, he knows exactly how to handle wind and kite.

Armin Von Seeler (GER) is the name of the silver medallist of last year's World Championships in the “snowkite ski race” discipline. He is one of the pioneers of snowkiting and has actively been practising this sport since 1993. Alex Schwab will participate for Austria. He wants to defend his titles of 2003 and 2004 in the snowkite race.

Already registered riders of the 3Snowkite World Championships 2005:

Guillaume Chastagnol, F

Matt Taggart, GB

Armin Von Seeler (Schwarz), D

Alex Schwab, A

Heinar Brandstötter, A

Fabrice Tripier-Mondancin, F

Damien Pattou, F

Fabio Ingrosso, CH

Sigve Botnen, N

Laurent Benamon, F

Patrick Koller, CH

Michael Kaspar, CH

Hardy Brandstötter, A

Andre Natland, N

Dominik Zimmermann, D

Kaupanger Bjon, N

Nico Paflitschek, D

Nicole Prenner, A

www.snowkiting.org

Please contact us for further information and pictures.

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Irene Walser
Boarders Palace
Marketing GmbH & Co KEG
Pradler Strasse 21
A-6020 Innsbruck
T +43 512 343848-19
M+43 699 11673129
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mail: iw@boarders-palace.com