Rahlves’ Banzai Tour kicked off at Kirkwood this past weekend and brought in tough competition from across the country with nearly 100 athletes competiting. Banzai veterans proved that they were the ones to beat, even after facing the most dramatic start in Banzai history.

News Release...

Truckee, Calif. (February 5, 2013) – Rahlves’ Banzai Tour kicked off at Kirkwood this weekend and brought in tough competition from across the country. Nearly 100 athletes competed for a chance to pit their skills against Daron Rahlves in the Sugar Bowl Super Final, but the Banzai veterans proved that they were the ones to beat, even after facing the most dramatic start in Banzai history.

The fresh talent and seasoned participants that came out for the Kirkwood tour stop were up for a challenge this year thanks to “The Wall.” The start proved to be one of the most challenging races to date, as competitors had to navigate their way down an intimidating 20 ft. vertical wall right out of the gate.

“Safety is always a top priority throughout the tour and I know most of the athletes were nervous for their first run,” said Daron Rahlves. “Watching the athletes overcome their fears and commit to the drop-in was impressing, to say the least.”

Although Banzai newcomers gave the veterans a run for their money, the experienced racers came out on top in all categories. Tahoe local John Bochenek took first in men’s skiing, making this his third consecutive first place win at the Kirwood Banzai tour stop and totaling his winnings from this year’s race at $3000. Salt Lake City, Utah local Tara Hines traveled to Kirkwood for the race and made the trip worth every second by placing first in women’s skiing and bringing in a purse prize of $1200. Hines placed fourth at the 2012 Kirkwood Banzai tour stop.

Snowboarders and Banzai veterans Adam Devargas and Casey Lucas both placed first in men’s and women’s snowboarding. Devargas calls Kirkwood his home mountain and clocks in over 100 days a year at the resort, which helped him secure the hole-shot and the win of a $2000 purse prize. Lucas is currently participating in the Freeride World Tour, flew in from Geneva, Switzerland and headed straight to Kirkwood for the big race that won her a purse prize of $650.

This year’s tour is already proving to draw attention from notable athletes traveling in from near and far. Participants from across the country are descending on the Tahoe region to give locals a run for their money at their home mountain. Athletes from Tex., Md., Ill., N.Y., Minn., Colo., Utah, Nev. and Calif. participated in the Kirkwood tour stop, and athletes from more states have registered for various upcoming tour stops, including the Alpine Meadows leg of the Rahlves’ Banzai Tour happening this weekend, Feb. 9-10. During the Alpine Meadows tour stop competitors will tackle a course on Alpine’s challenging and steep Beaver Bowl.  Rahlves invites the Truckee-Tahoe community to come out to Alpine Meadows to view the exciting spills and thrills of the 2013 Banzai Tour.

Make plans to catch the high-speed action at each tour stop including:
    •    Kirkwood Mountain Resort    Feb.  2-3,   2013
    •    Alpine Meadows                       Feb.  9-10, 2013
    •    Palisades Tahoe                            Mar. 2-3,   2013
    •    Sugar Bowl Resort                   Mar. 9-10, 2013

The Rahlves Banzai tour is presented by Bank of The West. The Rahlves Banzai Tour is also supported by sponsors such as Red Bull, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Contour, CEP “intelligent sportswear”, North Lake Tahoe Chamber/VCB/Resort Association, Spyder, Atomic, Start Haus Ski Shop, Wend Wax, COAL, SVE/BOSE, The Bar Effect, World Cup Supply, Jagermeister, Snow Fest, Sports Insurance, Technical Equipment Cleaners, Resort at Squaw Creek, ZINKA, 101.5 Truckee Tahoe Radio, Tahoe TV, POWDER Mag, High Fives Foundation, World Cup Supply, and CRUX Events, thereby creating an alluring $80,000 prize purse.

For more information, to check out previous race results, videos and to register, visit www.rahlvesbanzai.com. For up-to-the-minute news, “Like” Rahlves’ Banzai Tour on Facebook, follow @RahlvesBanzai on Twitter and download the Rahlves’ Banzai Tour app by visiting banzai.genzplay.com.