FIS Announces Sanctioning of Coca Cola Classic
(August 21, 1996)

The 1996 Coca Cola Snowboard Classic, which begins today, August 21, 1996 in Thredbo, Australia will be sanctioned by the FIS. The Coca Cola Classic is one of Australia's premier snowboard events consisting of a Giant Slalom, Halfpipe and Snowboard Cross and has an international reputation for attracting some of the worlds top snowboard athletes.

"We are very honored to sanction such an established event and look forward to working very closely with the organizing committee, Kosciusko Thredbo PM LTD, for future snowboard developments in Australia," commented Hanno Treindl, FIS Snowboard Coordinator. "The Coca Cola Snowboard Classic promises to become one of the top recognized snowboarding events in the Southern Hemisphere," continued Treindl.

Snowboarding will make its debut in the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan. The Coca Cola Classic events will award FIS points to competitors and includes the two snowboard disciplines (GS & HP) which are the official snowboard disciplines of the February, 1998 Nagano Olympic Winter Games.