City of Boston, Fenway Sports Management and U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Announce “Big Air at Fenway” for February 11-12, 2016
Big Air at Fenway is an International Ski Federation World Cup event and part of the U.S. Grand Prix tour; Will feature top athletes in the world competing on a 140-foot high snow ramp, nearly 4-times the height of Fenway Park’s famed Green Monster
Boston, MA – Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, along with Fenway Sports Management (FSM) and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) announced that Fenway Park will host a big air snowboarding and freeskiing U.S. Grand Prix tour event on February 11-12, 2016. “Big Air at Fenway” will feature a 140-foot high snow ramp, taller than the light towers at the ballpark, and bring in athletes from around the world including Olympic and World Champions.
“Boston is home to some of the best sports teams in the country, and this winter we are proud to host the top talent in big air snowboarding and free-skiing for the U.S. Grand Prix tour at Fenway Park,” said Boston Mayor Walsh. “It is historic events like this that allow us to showcase our city to the world.”
As a U.S. Grand Prix and part of the International Ski Federation’s (FIS) World Cup tour, Big Air at Fenway will bring in many of the top big air competitors including Olympic slopestyle skiing gold medalist Joss Christensen, slopestyle snowboarding Olympic champion Sage Kotsenburg and Olympian Ty Walker, who helped announce the event at Fenway Park.
“Big Air at Fenway is the latest in our efforts to bring dynamic and exciting events into Fenway Park for our fans and community all year round,” said Fenway Sports Management President Sam Kennedy. “This type of event is a first-of-its-kind for the ballpark and provides will appeal to a younger and broader audience at Fenway Park.”
In big air, snowboarders and skiers do a single trick off a ramp similar to those seen on slopestyle courses. Men’s and women’s big air snowboarding will debut at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. Men’s big air snowboarding has been part of the FIS World Championships since 2003. It was added to the World Cup tour for women a year ago, with Walker winning the opener at a city stadium event in Istanbul.
“Big Air at Fenway will be one of the largest events in the 20-year history of the U.S. Grand Prix,” said USSA Chief Marketing Officer Michael Jaquet. “It will draw some of the most talented athletes in big air, including a brilliant group of Olympians and Olympic hopefuls. It will be a great show for spectators at Fenway Park and watching at home.”
Big Air at Fenway will air live on NBCSN, with men’s and women’s snowboarding events on Thursday, February 11 and men’s and women’s freeskiing events on Friday, February 12, plus a full highlight show on NBC Saturday, February 13. Tickets for the Big Air at Fenway will go on-sale on November 12 at 12:00 p.m. For more details about Big Air at Fenway, including ticket information, please visit redsox.com/bigair.
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About Fenway Sports Management (FSM)
A wholly owned subsidiary of Fenway Sports Group, Fenway Sports Management (FSM) is a leading sports and entertainment marketing agency that advises elite properties, athletes, and brands.
FSM serves as the sponsorship sales arm for Fenway Sports Group’s prestigious sports portfolio: the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool Football Club, New England Sports Network (NESN), Roush Fenway Racing and the Pawtucket Red Sox. FSM is also the exclusive marketing agency for LeBron James and Johnny Manziel through a strategic partnership with LRMR. Additionally, FSM provides consulting and event management services to blue chip consumer brands and sports properties. For more information, visit www.fenwaysportsmanagement.com.
About U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA)
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) is the national governing body of Olympic skiing and snowboarding. It is the parent organization of the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing. Its U.S. Grand Prix, now in its 20th season, is the longest-running winter action sports tour. To learn more about the USSA’s U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing programs visit: www.ussnowboarding.com or www.usfreeskiing.com.
Media Contacts
Keith Gainsboro, Elevate Communications: 617-895-7905, kgainsboro@elevatecom.com
Tom Kelly, USSA Vice President, Communications: 435-602-9799, tkelly@ussa.org