AST ANNOUNCES DATES AND ATHLETES FOR INAUGURAL AST CHINA INVITATIONAL

Skateboarding Competition and BMX Exhibition

The AST, the umbrella brand and organization of the world’s most prestigious action sports events, today announced the AST China Invitational skateboard competition and BMX vert exhibition will be held April 18-20, 2008 in Beijing.

The top vert and park skateboarders in the world will compete in China, including vert skater Pierre Luc Gagnon of Carlsbad, Calif. and skateboard park competitor Rodolfo Ramos of Brazil. BMX vert legend Jamie Bestwick of England will join fellow AST BMX riders for a fan-friendly exhibition on the vert ramp.

“We are thrilled to expand the AST brand to the international stage with our first skateboard competition in China,” said Wade Martin, AST president. “Action sports have a worldwide following and we are excited to bring the best skateboard and BMX athletes in the world to the fans in Asia.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring the first AST international event to Beijing and Daxing China New Media Zone,” said Zhou Qiang, president of Xingyi New Media Investment Company. “Action sports has a global audience, and the best skateboard and BMX athletes in the world will be in Beijing to compete in the event. With strong event media partners, such as CCTV Olympic Channel, we believe AST China Invitational will generate unprecedented Chinese interest in action sports.”

The point’s leaders in the skateboard vert and park and BMX vert disciplines were invited to the AST China Invitational based on their rankings at the end of the 2007 AST Dew Tour season. The complete list of confirmed athletes is as follows:

AST

The Action Sports Tour (AST) is the recently created umbrella brand and organization of the world’s most prestigious action sports events. Currently the AST represents consists of two national tours, one international event and an amateur series: AST Dew Tour (debuted in 2005), AST Winter Dew Tour (debuting in 2008), AST China (debuting in 2008), and Free Flow Tour (debuted 2005).  The AST properties are home to over 300,000 spectators each year, broadcast in 100 countries and 280 million homes worldwide, and award the highest prize purse in all of action sports. AST China is a skateboarding exhibition event to be held in Beijing, China in April 2008.  AST China will feature the top skateboarders competing in vert and park disciplines in the world’s largest country. More information can be found at www.ast.com.

NBC Universal

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