Burton Does a Pro Show in Japan's Big Fridge
(October 18, 1996)

On September 6, over a thousand people flocked to the largest indoor snow hill in Japan for the first annual "In The Fridge" demo and benefit event. A big air demo, autographing session, and auction of the pros clothing, boots, and bindings worn in the show were the highlights of the show. All of the proceeds from the auction went to a fund for AIDS research.

"In The Fridge" featured some of the top North American Burton riders like Cara-Beth Burnside and Bryan Iguchi, who were crowned by the audience as king and queen of the event. Also in attendance was Jim Rippey, Victoria Jealouse, Shannon Dunn, Dave Downing, Marcus Eggie, Juha Tenkku, and the entire Burton Japan team.

The event, put on by MTV and Burton Japan, was apparently a total success according a Dave Olcott of Stimilon International who just returned from Japan where he designed and built the big air kicker for "In The Fridge." "The whole event was really well organized. They could have sold triple the tickets, but the SSAWS (the indoor hill) wanted it to be a controlled event so people could get a chance to snowboard after it was all over."

Burton Marketing Representative Nancy Carlson also said she has gotten word from Japan that the event went well. "We're probably going to do it next year," she says. But in the meantime some of the Burton team will be heading to Europe.