Soulsports athlete Jenny Jones has had a superb month in the media with several interviews across UK & International core magazines plus an interview in the mainstream:
First event of the winter kicked off last weekend on the Dew Tour in the USA where she finished 3rd place in the slopestyle (video shows the highlights of the slopestyle).
Soulsports are managing the snow production and slope management at the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup event here in Battersea, London. We had a great contest that was broadcast live on Eurosport at 5pm, unfortunately none of the Brits made the final 10 but Soulsports athlete Ben Kilner representing LG produced the best result with a 14th place overall.
London Freeze Slope
[Official Event Release]
Birthday child Stefan Gimpl victorious in season’s first big air competition / 15,000 spectators in London
What a day for Stefan Gimpl: The Austrian snowboard veteran not only celebrated his career’s seventh World Cup triumph by taking Gold with 52.7 points at the season’s first big air competition of the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup. The rider from the Salzburg countryside also made himself a fantastic birthday present. Aged 30 now and in front of 15,000 spectators at Battersea Power Station in London, the World Cup title defender relegated Switzerland’s Gian-Luca Cavigelli (50.5) and Domen Bizjak from Slovenia (49.7) to the second and third rank respectively. Matevz Pristavec (SLO, 49.7) had to settle for fourth finishing also with 49.7 points.
That this day turned out like written in a storybook was due to the great experience of several years being on tour as a snowboard pro. Not the young guns with their “Backside 1260’s” (Ulrik Badertscher, NOR) or “Frontside 1260’s” (Janne Korpi, FIN) took all the credit but Gimpl with his matchless style of making the tricks look so easy and stick them smoothly on the landing hill – although the 30-years-old had to struggle with his shaky legs right before the final attempt. “I was very nervous up there although actually nothing could have gone wrong as I was lucky over the last years living on the sunny side of life. It seems that someone is meaning well for me.”
Namely that good, that the World Cup leader was able to stomp a “Frontside 1080” at first, his “so far best in my whole life” and later on a “Cab 900” after the spectator crowd had serenaded him “Happy birthday”. “This was an amazing experience. Although I still can’t believe the result as I wasn’t expecting to win today.”
With this statement Gimpl was driving at the fact that the whole starter field answered expectations with a high level riding including some of the more than 50 riders from 12 countries showcasing even more difficult tricks than the later on winner – however, not as smooth and stylish like Gimpl did. One of them was Gian-Luca Cavigelli. The Swiss talent who never had finished a World Cup in the top-10 before jumped on the podium for the first time ever after he had thrown in a massive “Backside 1080 Double Cork” and a “Backside Rodeo 720”. “I’m pretty stoked with the result as I have been on the snowboard for only two months so far” the 21-years-old who tore his left ACL a year ago said after his comeback.
And also third-ranked Domen Bizjak was more than happy after his “Switch Backside 900” and “Frontside 900” earned him his career’s first podium finish. The 24-years-old who had have three fourth ranks so far stated: “I never expected this. But today, everything went fine.”
The British Snowboard Team produced some great results with LG Freeze ambassador Ben Kilner finishing 14th, Nate Kern 20th, Jamie Nicholls 27th, and Jack Shackelton in 47th position.
Soulsports have secured British Snowboard Halfpipe Champion and future Olympian Ben Kilner to head up LG’s activity at the “Freesports on 4 FREEZE sponsored by LG” event held at Battersea Power Station in London.
Below is the Official Press Release givign you an insight into what Ben will be upto.
FREEZE Connects Snowsports and Music Fans
Ben Kilner - LG Athlete for London Freeze
Snowsports and Music festival, London FREEZE has launched an innovative online communications hub at www.londonfreeze.com/lg/. FREEZE Connect, the brainchild of official event sponsor LG Electronics, is the place for all the latest official and backstage news, coupled with an array of interactive and exclusive ‘Life’s Good’ competitions for followers of this iconic event.
Live today, FREEZE Connect (www.londonfreeze.com/lg/) links directly to the event’s popular Facebook and Twitter pages where exclusive messages will be created by the FREEZE Connect team consisting of UK Olympic snowboard hopeful Ben Kilner and the widely downloaded Snowfix Podcast presenters Tim & Jools via their LG social networking handsets (GW520).
Aside from keeping followers abreast of the latest news and backstage commentary from the event, FREEZE Connect brings Life’s Good moments to fans through money can’t buy prizes that will be offered to winners of interactive ‘Alternate Reality Games’ – a series of online, real-life treasure hunts and a number of other challenges issued through the official Facebook and Twitter feeds. Prizes include VIP event tickets and one-off prizes such as LG messaging mobile phones, signed snowboards, skis and CDs from athletes and bands taking part at the event as well as Dare2b clothing and Relentless Energy drinks.
“FREEZE Connect is about creating communities that become the heartbeat of the action. Whether it’s connecting to like-minded people, latest event news, competitions, or sharing your Life’s Good moments instantaneously at the London FREEZE via social networking handsets - your friends and family will be able to experience the buzz of the event, as though they were right there beside you!” comments Jeremy Newing, head of marketing, LG Mobile UK & Ireland.
FREEZE Connect activities will operate up to and throughout the Freesports on 4 FREEZE sponsored by LG, taking place from 30th October to 1st November 2009, where London’s Battersea Power Station will once again be transformed into an international competition standard snowboarding and freeski venue, featuring a 32m high ski jump and over 500 tonnes of snow against a backdrop of world-class music acts.
FREEZE Connect launches with a film introducing Ben, Tim and Jools and what’s in store for the online community over the coming weeks. Watch it here:
Soulsports for the 10th year running are working with the Metro Ski & Snowboard Show to create the main show feature including the supply of all the Snowboard & Ski athletes, jump design and management of this feature held at the Metro Ski and Snowboard Show, 21st -25th October 2009 Olympia, London
Below is the Official Press Release
Gold Standard Talent:
With Vancouver 2010 just around the corner, all eyes are on Britain’s Olympic hopefuls and at this year’s Ski and Snowboard show Ben Kilner will be proving he’s got what it takes to win a medal when he competes on the show’s new Trespass Big Air 50 foot Kicker. X Games Gold Medalist Jenny Jones will also be on hand to offer tips and advice throughout the show.
Fierce competition:
Once again London Olympia will play host to the crème de la crème of Europe’s Snowboarders and Free-skiers, as the British Snow Tour Championship and The London Ride roll into town.
The British Snow Tour Championship will see a showdown between 12 of best riders on the UK snow-sports scene. Featuring hot talent like Sam Cullum, James Webb, Jamie Nicholls, Sparrow Knox and Jack Shackleton, Paddy Graham, James Machon, James Woods, Andy Nudds and Murray Buchan all at the top of their game, this competition is set to be a major highlight of the show.
On Saturday 24th October style and amplitude will be the order of the day as The London Ride arrives at Olympia. Expect to be blown away by big rotations and massive tweaked out grabs from the elite of Europe’s free-skiing stars, including last year’s winner Henrik Harlaut and home grown Mike Wakefield, as he attempts to bring the crown back to British soil.
ACTION FROM THE BRITISH SNOWBOARD INVITATIONAL COMP
Snowbombing:
Making its UK premiere, join Snowbombing’s Street Party on Friday 23rd October as it takes over the Zillertal Après Ski Bar. Heralded as the greatest festival on snow Snowbombing’s organisers will be bringing their unique vibe to London with music from top DJs TBX and the Loose Cannons.
London Gets Snowed In:
Winter will officially be starting early this year as the Metro Ski and Snowboard Show and Dare2b drop ten tonnes of real snow in the capital. Start warming up your throwing arm for target practice and get ready to make it into the record books as our visitors attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the world’s biggest indoor snowball fight.
The Experts
Revolutionise your technique with the Warren Smith Ski Academy who will be on hand to give their expert advice on how to improve technique and fitness. Has the credit crunch got you dreaming of a ski season? Then check out the Natives Jobs Fair to talk to the people in the know at this leading seasonal recruitment event.
ACTION FROM THE BRITISH SKI INVITATIONAL COMP
Return of the Gigloo!
The legendary ‘gig in an igloo’ is back. Okuru will be transforming the Gigloo into a winter themed alpine stage with a wealth of talent including music from its XFM DJs and the Altitude Festival, ensuring side-splitting sessions peppered between stunning VJ sets.
Board Riders Heaven
Prepare to get excited about your first off-piste run of the season with some inspirational talks, films and guidance from mountain experts in the Off-Piste Adventure Theatre. You can also check out the latest snowboarding gear as core snowboard brands showcase their 09/10 kit and give visitors the opportunity to talk to professionals about how to choose the right board and essential equipment.
For more information and to book tickets visit www.metrosnow.co.uk or call 0871 230 1100
Soulsports arranged for GB Team snowboarder Ben Kilner to front the press launch of “Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games”, (endorsed by the IOC), which is launching with SEGA in October. The press launch was held in Manchester at the Chill FactorE on the 15th September.
Mario, Ben Kilner, Sonic
Ben who is likely to be representing GBR at the forthcoming Olympics in Vancover had a great day entertaining approx 30 press on the day including Zoo Online, Talksport Magazine, Bauer Radio, Loaded, Daily Sport, News Of The World, Daily Star, Guardian, Super Super, Channel M, Sport.co.uk, SEGA Nerds, Inc Gamers, SEGA Sites & Sonic Wrecks, Play.TM etc..
Some of the press just wanted interviews and others took to the slopes to get some riding tips, or sprayed as in ZOO’s case.
Overview of the game which Ben promoted:
The rivalry of Team Mario and Team Sonic explodes in an all new winter sports competition – Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games. Developed exclusively for the Wii and DS, this sports party game is a follow-up to the smash hit Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games. This game will allow players to take to the snow and ice of Vancouver and Whistler, Host Cities of the 2010Winter Games, and test their Olympic Spirit in competitive events through their favourite Mario and Sonic characters. With an assortment of new challenging Dream Events and surprises from the work of Mario and Sonic, the stage is set for a winter Olympic experience like no other. Grab your Wii Remote/Nunchuk, DS and Wii Balance Board and get ready to go for gold!
Ben about to give ZOO a face full
Ben spraying the guy from ZOO magazine
Izzy from LunchPR had this to say to Ben after the event “Thank you Ben! Such a pleasure to have you there. You were super helpful and great at accommodating all our press requests“
Starting out life ten years ago to the day, Soulsports has come a long way since its athlete agency beginnings but confesses to having been a little modest to date about the company’s successes. Today, you’ll find us delivering an uncompromising level of service across Consultancy, PR, Athlete and Event management and are proudly launching a new website to demonstrate our good work. We welcome you to Visit Our World at soulsports.co.uk.
Soulsports founder and director, Stuart Brass remarks on the company’s journey, “Over the past decade Soulsports has been progressively building toward this, the moment it can confidently lay claim to offering a full suite of marketing services across all major action sports. We are The Action Sports Agency and our philosophy has always been to keep brands at the forefront of our thinking, whilst keeping the sports and athletes at the heart of our actions.”
Stuart was one of the UK’s most influential pro snowboarders, and among the first wave of riders to attract corporate sponsorship. It is to this corporate involvement that Stuart owes his vision (that and Jerry Maguire smashing box offices in the same year, he jokes), and in 1999 Soulsports was established to provide representation for UK action sports athletes.
In the ten years that have passed, Soulsports has attracted a team of experts to its doors and as recent client successes prove, we are as confident providing services to major industry players such as DC, Quiksilver, Vans, Extreme Sports Channel and the British Surf Association as we are dealing with global blue chip clients such as Nissan, Orange, Red Bull and Motorola. Naturally, we’ve not abandoned our roots and working with athletes such as X-Games Snowboard Champion Jenny Jones, World Champion Mountain Biker Steve Peat and Big Wave Surfer Gabe Davies still holds pride of place within the business.
In a nutshell, Soulsports is a dynamic company with a competitive edge and has its sights fixed firmly on becoming The Action Sports Agency of choice. We work hard to create amazing campaigns and imaginative content and urge anybody looking for a fresh approach to accessing the action sports market to take a look at our world through www.soulsports.co.uk.
Soulsports for the second year running have secured Jenny Jones as the show’s ambassador. 
