March 10, 2002

Quiksilver's Quik Cup event is underway. The best boardriders on the planet will descend on France from March10-20th for the 10th edition of the QUIK CUP.

The QUIK CUP brings together the world's boardriding elite for a combined Surf, Snowboard, and Skateboard contest, set to take place in two locations: Anglet, on the Basque Coast, and Les Arcs - Bourg St. Maurice, in the Alps.

The concept of the QUIK CUP rests on the core values of boardriding- surfing, snowboarding and skating. The experience, level of ability, overall athleticism of the competitors, and challenging criteria for invite bring together some of the best athletes in the world. Being one of the only events to combine top level talent with a three boardsport format make this event the unofficial world championship of boardriding.

All 20 QUIK CUP invitees compete in the Quik Cup in all 3 disciplines. The difficulty of mastering just one of these activities is considered exceptional; having the ability to compete in all 3 is a demonstration of exceptional athletic skill and overall boardriding ability.

The 20 QUIK CUP competitors must place in 3 successive events, each one having it's own final ratings. At the end of this 10-day medley, the jury of boardriding experts, given the challenging task of differentiating between the riders and scoring them according to their individual ability, will combine scores and announce the overall champion. The winner of Quik Cup 2002 will take home $21,930 in prize money.

The Quik Cup will begin on March 11th in Anglet, with either the Surf or Skate contests, depending on weather conditions. Following these events the athletes will head to Les Arcs to wrap up the event with the snowboarding competition.

The Events of the QUIK CUP

The original format of the event was a combined surf and snowboard contest. Last year, in order to create an even more comprehensive and dynamic event, the organizers integrated skating into the QUIK CUP, which had previously been done on a purely demonstrative basis. The QUIK CUP is henceforth the benchmark cross-over contest, as it brings together the 3 big boardriding families.

Surfing
The first leg of the QUIK CUP will be held at "Les Cavaliers", in Anglet. Every year this world-class spot is home to the QUIK CUP, as well as many other major surf contests. However, if better conditions exist at a different spot, the organizers reserve the right to temporarily move the contest. Last year, it was Luke Fitcher who clinched the first leg of the QUIK CUP 2001, at the end of a spectacular final pitting him against the two Fletcher brothers, Bill Brian, Marcus Stocker and Eric Sorensen.

Skating
The skate contest will again take place at the Sporting Complex of Haitz P�an, just a few minutes from the surf spot. Depending on swell conditions, the organizers of the QUIK CUP will determine whether to start the skate contest during the day or at night. The skate contest will combine exhibitions on vert-ramp, mini-ramp and bowl. During it's inaugural year, last year, the skate contest was truly one of the highlights of the QUIK CUP- drawing a large crowd and gaining much attention for the popularity of this sport as a spectator event. The final phases of the skate contest were fought out in a super-charged atmosphere, which saw the unification of skate masters Danny Way, Omar Hassan, Nathan Fletcher and Aaron Astorga. In the end it was American Omar Hassan who dominated in the eyes of the judges and won the skate division. This year, on March 16th, after the conclusion of both the surf and skate contests in Anglet, the riders, staff and journalists will leave the Basque Coast to head for the snow capped peaks of "Les Arcs 1800" in the Alps.

Snowboarding
The last leg of the QUIK CUP, which will take place over a three-day period, will unfold on a multi-purpose snow park in Les Arcs. The jumps will be shaped by Nicolas Marduel from Playground (with K�ssbohrer), an operation of considerable logistics. Overall, 7545 cubic feet of snow will be required to build the slope-style park, which will cover a surface area of approximately 9800 square feet. The construction of this park will also require some 150 hours from a snow moving machine, and 80 hours of manual shaping by the 3-man team.

The lay out of the snowpark for the 2002 snowboarding edition of the QUIK CUP remains secret. Both riders and spectators alike can look forward to, in keeping with the tradition of the event, a truly epic setting for the snowboard contest. Last year, it was the young snowboard prodigy, Mathieu Crepel, who took first place, edging out Greg Poissonnier for the win.

Rider Profiles QUIK CUP 2002

Nathan Fletcher (USA)
Winner of the QUIK CUP 2001, after having finished 2nd in 2000, Nathan Fletcher is the man to beat in this 2002 edition. Quintessential crossover expert, Nathan excels as much at new school surfing as he does in skating and snowboarding. Fletcher has become a figurehead, and this is largely due to his exceptional versatility and his off-the-wall style and personality. He incarnates the new wave of non-conformists, appealing to the youth of today.

Christian Fletcher (USA)
As a pioneer of aerial and new school surfing set against the traditional school of thought furthered by the Pro Tour, Christian is also a crossover specialist. The eldest son of famous Californian surfer Herbie Fletcher, Christian, like his younger brother, is also an exceptional skater and snowboarder. He continues to inspired a whole generation of riders from Mike Morrissey to Mathieu Crepel.

Eric Sorensen (USA)
Finalist in both the surfing and snowboarding events in 2001, Eric was equal 3rd place over all; an outstanding performance for a first-time participant. He has promised to return in 2002 with a better level of skating to round out his boardriding skills, thus giving him a good chance at winning this years QUIK CUP. His impressive physical resources make him a dangerous and powerful opponent

Rohan Smiles (AUS)
Originally a pro snowboarder, Rohan is a boardrider to the core. He lives in Ulla Dulla, on the ocean, and surfs every day. He also has a love for skating that is reflected in the mini-ramp in has back yard.

Bill Brian (USA)
7 time Skimboarding world champion Bill Brian is one to reckon with this year. His consistency, despite a slight weakness in the skating, allowed him to achieve 5th place over all in 2001. Cornerstone of the QUIK CUP, Bill also has a bit of a reputation as a fire-starter when it comes to post-event activities.

Greg Poissonnier (FRA)
Don Grego, as he is affectionately known, is also a central figure of the QUIK CUP. He is an excellent snowboarder (an unfortunate fall in his last run cost him the final last year), and a good skater. His move to Hossegor has, along with other things, had a remarkable effect on his level of surfing. His crossover antics also highlight themselves by his interest in new boarding disciplines such as Snowskating.

Luke Fitcher (AUS)
With two European QUIK CUP victories to his name (former surf/snowboard format), Luke is still a strong contender. He has taken first place at least once (eight total wins) in every major international surf/snow crossover competition: the European QUIK CUP, the Australian and New Zealand QUIK CUPs, and even the H2O Classic in California. Luke started surfing at a young age, winning the junior surfing championships in Australia. Since then he has gone on to become a professional snowboarder, and is now leading an exemplary career. Winner of the surfing in 2001 (and a place in snowboard finals in Les Arcs), it was the skating that cost him a top 3 spot in the overall rankings.

Aaron Astorga (USA)
Aaron Astorga is one of the rare pro skaters to take part in the QUIK CUP. His top 10 performance last year is therefore all the more admirable. Affable, all smiles, and discrete, Aaron made his mark with the incredible amount of energy he expended in the Bowl at the QUIK CUP in 2001. The 2002 ramp will undoubtedly provide Aaron with even more inspiration to impress.

Mike Morrissey (USA)
Despite his young age, Mike Morrissey is a likely contender. At the age of 19, on his first visit to Europe he finished 3rd in the combined edition of the event in 2000. A surfer by trade, he exhibits a modern, fluid and aerial style, which he is capable of translating effortlessly into both snowboarding and skating. In 2001, Mike was the only rider to reach the main event in all three contests.

Omar Hassan (USA)
Even though an overall victory may seem improbable due to his level in the surf, Omar is a remarkable competitor who fights to the last. Accomplished snowboarder, he is a star competitor in the skate event, which he won in 2001 ahead of similarly talented skater, Danny Way.

Danny Way (USA) As an emblematic figure in the skate world, Danny Way has inspired several generations of young skaters. Last year, exhausted from gruelling surfing heats and the skate contest, Danny was unable to defend his chances in the snowboarding event due to injury. Charismatic and good willed, Danny Way proved last year that his legacy is far from finished. The myth of Danny Way is more than ever alive.

Mathieu Cr�pel (FRA)
Winner of the snowboarding event of the QUIK CUP 2001, Mat Cr�pel took on difficult surfing conditions in Anglet. Already very independent at the Age of 17, he already has his own pro-model snowboard with Gnu and leads an exceptional career as a professional snowboarder while studying in "sport school" in Vallars de Lans. Invited to the prestigious Arctic Challenge, Mathieu Cr�pel is fast becoming an emblematic figure in crossover and especially snowboard culture.

Marcus Stocker (AUS)
Winner of the 2000 snowboarding edition in front of Nathan Fletcher, Marcus has seen his chances of winning the QUIK CUP diminish with the introduction of the skate contest. No doubt this remarkable Australian, who is as good a surfer as he is a snowboarder, will return this year with honed skating skills to have a better chance at winning a top rank in the overall standings.

Jason Haynes (AUS)
Jason Haynes is the most Internationally acclaimed Australian snowboarder. Jason grew up next to the sea and started surfing early. Nevertheless, it was on a skateboard that Jason became passionate about boardriding, and he has competed in every QUIK CUP in the world.

Shaun White (USA)
Young American prodigy Shaun White is, at the age of 15, a phenomenon in the snowboarding world. Shaun has already won the Arctic Challenge half-pipe contest ahead of living snowboard legend Terje Haakonsen, and also has contracts as a pro skateboarder. He skates regularly with Tony Hawk and even has his own character in the new Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4. The Clash between White and Cr�pel promises some great action.

Olivier Saint-Jour (FRA)
One of the initiators of the crossover movement in France, Olivier was sponsored as a skater and a snowboarder in 1995. Of epicurean nature, he spends his summers surfing the Basque Coast. Saint-Jour is back to prove that his boardriding skills are still intact.

Tomi Toiminen (FIN)
Former sponsored skater with Powel & Perelta and member of the Bones Brigade in Europe at the time, Tomi dropped it all to become a pro-snowboarder, which he has achieved with great success. Tomi was 3rd in the skating division in 2001 and will be looking to improve on his results in the other two disciplines to up his position in the overall ratings.

Todd Richards (USA)
A monument in freestyle snowboarding, Todd Richards was the only American able to hold off the Scandinavian half-pipe onslaught led by Daniel Frank and Terje Haakonsen during the mid 90s. Todd is also very at ease on a skateboard, and even hesitated between a professional career in skating and snowboarding. Resident of the West Coast of America, he spends a lot of time in the surf. Todd Richards is the outsider who is capable of creating an upset in the overall ratings.

Dave Downing (USA)
Pro-snowboarder and fetish figure of the major American snowboard films for many years, Dave is as comfortable on 55� slopes in Alaska as he is doing a rail "half-cab to boardslide, revert to fakie out" in the snowpark. Often in the top 3, but absent in 2001, everyone is waiting to see what this excellent snowboarder turned surfer can do on a skateboard.

Around the QUIK CUP

Best Trick
In parallel with the main event, the organizers of the QUIK CUP have integrated three "Best Trick" contests to the program. Ten riders will compete in each of these contests.

While certain QUIK CUP contenders may compete, the Best Trick contests are designed for specialists in the individual disciplines and members of the Quiksilver pro team. As the name suggests, the Best Trick contest will reward the athlete who completes the most impressive stunt in each sport with a cool $877.

The skate Best Trick is sponsored by the Conseil G�n�ral of Pyr�n�es Altantiques (southwest territorial and administrative division of France hosting the first part of the contest in Anglet).

In Les Arcs, the Best Trick contest will take place as the Lib Tech Freestyle Slopestyle Jam, with Quiksilver and Lib Tech riders Markku Koski, Jakob Wilhelmson and Martin Cernik inviting their most radical snowboarding friends.

The Roxy Snow Jam
Women's snowboarding finally comes to the QUIK CUP. New this year is the ROXY SNOW JAM 2002, which is an expression session featuring the Roxy Girls. Ten riders will compete in the event, including:

* Tina Birbaum (Swiss - 2nd Air & Style 2000)
* Margot Rozies (French Half-Pipe Champion 2000)
* Pauline Richon (Rookie of the Year, Consecutive victories in the Air & Style 1999, 2000, 2001)
* Stine Brun Kjeldaas (Olympic Half-Pipe Silver medallist, Nagano, Japan)
* and
* Anne Moline Kongsgrad
* Tara Dakides
* Nicola Thost
* Kjerstie Bouas
* Valerie Bourdier
* Tanja Baumgartner
* Jessica Dalpiaz
* Torah Bright
*

Prize Money
The QUIK CUP has a total prize money of 80 000EUR split as follows:
1st Place : US$21,930.00
2nd Place : US$8,772.00
3rd Place : US$5,701.00
4th Place : US$3,508.00
US$877.00 for each Best Tricks Contest: Surf, Skate, Snow and Roxy
US$438.00 for 1st Place in each of the Snow Skate Surf Contests