Snowboarder Dan Busetti Finds His Groove at Panasonic Nightrail Jam

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Panasonic Nightrail Jam
Mt Hotham, Victoria
August 18, 2006

Snowboarder Dan Busetti Finds His Groove

MT HOTHAM, VIC (Saturday August 19, 2006) - - After a two year hiatus Dan Busetti (Fitzroy, VIC) made a triumphant return to snowboarding competition by winning the Panasonic Nightrail Jam at Mt Hotham last night.

The 27 year-old never looked in doubt from his opening ride, unleashing a sensational array of tricks that included the cab (switch stance) board slide to 270 out, a backside 270 onto the flat down box and a tail slide to 270 onto the front board. Busetti continued to impress on the fog laden course for a stylish win.

“I’ve got a new passion for snowboarding.” Busetti said while holding the $500 winners cheque and Panasonic VDR D150 Digital Video Camera at the awards presentation.

“When I broke my foot in 2004 I found it hard to get motivated to return to snowboarding. I haven’t competed in over two years so it feels great to be back here, riding with a lot of my friends and having fun.”

22 year old Mt Buller local Mikey Williams placed second after an impressive display of progressive snowboarding with Robbie Walker (Ivanhoe, VIC) third.

Best female award went to rising rookie Canada’s Alexandra Rey. Competing in only her second ever snowboarding event, Rey landed a backside lipslide onto the down rail and also a board slide to front side board slide.

Best Trick was awarded to Mikey Williams who threw down a gap jump to 270 along the rail. Future star Jindabyne’s Jye Kearney, 13, took home the best junior title.

Other riders that had the crowd braving the sub zero temperatures included Finland snowboarders Antti Autti and Risto Mattil, and Australian’s Abi Bright (Cooma, NSW) and Nick Gregory (Avalon, NSW) and Tom Pelly (Bright, NSW).

The 90-minute jam format event saw approximately 80 of Australia’s top snowboarders converge on the purpose built rail course, on a variety of rails, boxes, jibs and a quarter pipe for an innovative and spectacular night extravaganza. The best rider was determined by the judges panel based on free style trick execution, rail prowess and level of commitment.

The Panasonic Nightrail Jam is part of the 2006 Billabong Freeway Tour.

Tomorrow will see the much anticipated Billabong Banked Slalom and Billabong Girls Get Out There Day.

The Billabong Freeway Tour is supported by, Panasonic, Vodafone Sprite, Clearasil, UV Triplegard, Hotham, Kustom, Von Zipper and MTV.

Official Results of Panasonic Nightrail Jam.

1st        Dan Busetti (Fitzroy, VIC)
2nd       Mikey Williams (Mt Buller VIC)
3rd        Robbie Walker (Ivanhoe, VIC)

Best Female: Alexandra Rey (Canada)

Best Junior: Jye Kearney (Jindabyne, NSW)

Best Trick: Mikey Williams (Mt Buller, VIC)

Media Information:
Complimentary high res images for newspaper and magazines available free of charge. TV news feed via Channel 10 Melbourne. Details to be advised.

Mark Rayner (On site media manager)

Marcus Lovett (TV Contact)