The Vans Downtown Showdown concept was created for skaters by skaters and has been running in Hollywood’s Paramount Studios, with huge success, for four years. Involving legends such as Jamie Thomas, Alex Olson and Rick McCrank and companies such as Girl, Zero, Toy Machine and Alien Workshop, who each year, create their own Off the Wall ideas to be skated. Keen to emulate these strong partnerships at the European Vans Downtown Showdown six well respected Euro based board brands have been short-listed to take part.
Teams from each of the brands will be drafted in to compete against each other in this eagerly anticipated skate contest. The event with its unique format will take place on top of the legendary Lingotto Building (former Fiat factory) in Torino, Italy on 12th September.
The following board companies will be taking part:
Alai
Blueprint
Cliché
Element
Heroin
Trap
Each of these six board companies were invited to submit ideas for an innovative, creative and challenging skate obstacle, that will become part of the jam and sessioned separately by the teams. The best three have been chosen by Vans that together will create an inventive contest.
To wet your appetite below are a few words from Blueprint, Heroin and Cliché:
“As far as any words I have to say about the obstacle, all there really is to say is that we designed something that will be fun for EVERYONE to skate, no handrail, no stairs, just ollies, wallies, grinds and rides. We are here to enjoy” Paul Shier, Blueprint
“The chance to design an obstacle for the Vans Downtown Showdown was too good to pass up, the US ones always looked like so much fun I'm stoked to be able to involved in the European one. I wanted to design something fun but challenging to skate, I'm not gonna give too much away, all I'm going to say is that it's a creative wallride based obstacle.” Fos, Heroin
“We’re going to bring a piece of Lyon to Torino and I’m sure crew will be stoked to skate it. We re not bringing the cactus though!!! Jeremie Daclin, Cliché
Spectator entrance is by invitation only. Vans is offering you the chance to be part of the event and get access to the Lingotto roof.
Head to www.vans.com - Europe to win tickets.
For those that are not able to experience the event first hand it will be webcast live on www.vans.com – Europe.
Join us for the after party at The Beach Club, Murazzi del Po, Arcata 18, Torino.
More information about the riders and the time schedule will follow…
Notes to Editors:
About VANS
In 1966, the Van Doren Rubber Company opened up for business in California. Within a few years, the whole skate culture adopted Vans shoe as their favorite brand and today Vans still represents a look that epitomizes the Southern California lifestyle. With more than 40 years of history – and now offering a complete range of footwear, apparel, accessories, snowboard boots & outerwear and Pro-Tec protective equipment – Vans has risen to become a worldwide dominant force in the action sports industry and the genuine brand of choice for the contemporary lifestyle consumer.
VANS “OFF THE WALL”: ORIGINAL SINCE 1966.
About FIAT FREESTYLE TEAM
FIAT Freestyle Team, born in 2004 as freestyle snowboarding Olympic team, is the Fiat Automobiles official team that brings together some of the best Italian and international riders of freestyle disciplines: snowboard, skate, surf, windsurf, kitesurf, fmx and bmx. Fiat Freestyle Team supports main freestyle events accross Italy and Europe through many sponsorship activities. Fiat Qubo, the real frees-space vehicle, is the Fiat Freestyle Team official car.
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