ESPN has announced the first round athletes who have been invited to compete in the Winter X Games 12
As January approaches thoughts turn to new years resolutions, snow fall and, of course, the Winter X Games.
The first round of athletes invited to compete in the 12th Winter X Games has been announced by ESPN. Winter X Games 12 will take place in Aspen, Colorado on January 24-27, 2008. Aspen has been the home for the Winter X Games for the past seven years.
Among those invited to compete, according to the ESPN release are:
• Shaun White: Six-time snowboard Winter X Games gold medalist and 2006 Winter Olympic gold medalist
• Hannah Teter: Three-time snowboard Winter X Games medalist and 2006 Winter Olympic gold medalist
• Tanner Hall: Defending Skiing SuperPipe champ and six-time Winter X Games gold medalist
• Chris Burandt: Winner of the first-ever Winter X Games Snowmobile Freestyle gold medal in 2007
• Tyler Walker: Winner of the first-ever Winter X Games Mono Skier X gold medal in 2007
• Lindsey Jacobellis: Three-time snowboard Winter X Games gold medalist and 2006 Winter Olympic silver medalist
• Torah Bright: Defending Winter X Games Snowboard SuperPipe gold medalist
• Travis Rice: Three-time Winter X Games snowboard medalist
• Sarah Burke: Three-time Winter X Games and defending Skiing SuperPipe gold medalist
• Daron Rahlves: Widely considered the most accomplished speed skier in American history with 28 World Cup podiums and three World Championship podiums over the course of the last decade (ESPN, 12/20/2007)
Over 250 athletes from around the world are expected to travel to Buttermilk resort in Aspen/Snowmass. They will be competing for medals and prizes in snowboarding, skiing, and snowmobile. All events are open to the public and free to watch.
For the complete list of invited athletes and up to the minute Winter X Games information, log onto the expn.com website. The second wave of invited athletes will be named in January.
A sport-specific selection committee is responsible for selecting all athletes who have been invited to participate in the Winter X Games. According to ESPN, the selection criteria and the timing of invitations varies by sport and discipline as it is based on the state and event schedules of that particular sport. The only exception is each gold medalist from the previous Winter X Games 11 receives an automatic invitation to compete.
In addition to exciting displays of athleticism the X Games also offers fans a festival-like atmosphere with music, vendors, demonstrations and autograph signings.
