Panasonic NightRail Session 9th August at Hotham

Panasonic Nightrail Session, Mt Hotham, Victoria Thursday, August 9. 2007-

‘Rail Master’ crown up for grabs in Panasonic Nightrail Session presented by Billabong

(Mt Hotham, VIC) - The very best athletes in Australian snowboarding are currently honing their skills in preparation for the 2007 Panasonic Nightrail Session, presented by Billabong, taking place at Mount Hotham’s East Mac Rail Park early next month.

The sixth annual Nightrail Session this year will be held as a stand-alone event, with $4,000 of cash and prizes donated by both Billabong and Panasonic presented to the contest’s best performers. This prize purse sees a marked increase from previous years, creating increased interest from Victorian and interstate competitors alike.

The 2006 event, held in poor conditions and one of the worst snow seasons in recent times, was nonetheless a resounding success. Given the exceptional quality and quantity of snow this year, the 2007 Nightrial Session is shaping up to be the best in the event’s six year history.

The staff at Mount Hotham will be lending their exceptional terrain-sculpting talents to the event, creating a specifically designed rail park. “It looks epic,” says Billabong’s team manager, Nick Gregory, who will also be competing in the competition. “Last year we had no snow and they (the Hotham staff) did a good job. This year we’ve got plenty to muck around with. The park crew are always keen to test out new things”.

Team Billabong will certainly be a force to be reckoned with, last year’s bronze medallist, Robbie Walker, keen to step it up this season, though with some trepidation: “I’d sort of like to see where this competition goes. It’s one of the scarier contests of the year, so I’ll see where everyone wants to step up to and then decide”.

Alongside Walker will be fellow Billabong team riders, Nick Gregory and Clint Allan, and representing in the women’s event, Laura Williams and Abi Bright, whose exceptional track record will place her as a firm favourite.

With the rewards being divided between first and second placings and the performer of the best trick, competitors will be looking not only to outdo their rivals on points but also in style and imagination. “I think you have to do a bit of everything on this rail,” says Walker, Team Billabong’s rail specialist. “You’ve got to gap it, go through the kink. Then you’ve got to do some small, technical stuff on the down bar. I guess it’s all about trying to do everything”.

Although these riders are at the top of their game and will be certain to create a spectacular display for the audience, the contest is open to all-comers. And with an entry fee of just $17, the event is going to prove exceptionally popular among Australia’s snowboarding community.

As part of Billabong’s Freeway Tour, the event will be the highlight of a weekend of snowbound thrills and spills. From Mount Hotham, the Tour will then make its way to New Zealand’s Snow Park for the Billabong Slope Style Jam.

The Billabong Freeway Tour is supported by Virgin Blue, Panasonic, Vodafone, Clearasil, UV Tripleguard, Nixon, Von Zipper, Mt Hotham, MTV and Snowboarder Magazine.