New Mexico, Jan. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ANGEL FIRE, NM - (January 22, 2018) – Do you have what it takes to win a World Championship title? That’s what many competitors are asking themselves as they begin to wax up their shovel for the 39th Annual Angel Fire Resort World Championship Shovel Races. This year, anyone can compete for the coveted World Championship Shovel Racing title at Angel Fire Resort, located in the Southern Rockies of New Mexico. Competitors of all ages are invited to compete in the February 2-3, 2018 event. The resort is giving an open invitation to anyone who would like to try and be a World Champion to participate in the race.
Racers from all over the country compete by sitting on the scoop of a standard aluminum snow shovel, handle pointed downhill, and then lift their hands and feet to allow gravity to take them for a ride. Each rider gets two shots to clock the fastest time down the front of the Angel Fire ski mountain, and top speeds regularly exceed 70 miles per hour. The practice session will be held February 2, with the competition occurring February 3.
Shovel racing began as a simple contest in the 1970’s when lift operators would ride their shovels down the mountain at the end of their shifts.
“Where else can you show up and become a World Champion in one race? We are one of only a handful of resorts world-wide where they offer Shovel Racing as a competitive sport,” explains Spencer Weimar, director of marketing, Angel Fire Resort. “We’d love to encourage anyone who has heard about Shovel Racing or who would like to try to come give it shot to register now. It’s a great event to participate in or come out and cheer them on as a spectator.”
Racing categories include:
Little Scoops (ages 6-9)
Youth (ages 10-13)
Junior (ages 14-17)
Media
Adult Women (ages 18+)
Adult Men (ages 18-44)
Master Men (ages 45+)
Pro Men
Pro Women
Those who feel they are expert Shovel Racers are encouraged to enter the Pro-categories. Cash or prizes will be given to the fastest competitors in all age-specific categories.
The event will also include the Sixth Annual Women in Media Shovel Race Competition – where women and some men, in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas television media will compete for bragging rights and the fastest time down the hill on a shovel.
“Shovel Races is that rare sport where if you don’t let your fear get the best of you, you can win in your category the very first time you try it,” states Jessica Garate, KRQE-TV anchor. “Women have been laying it on the line for years at Angel Fire Resort. Now I understand some men from the media want in. We welcome them knowing they will get smoked by the ladies.”
“This event is like nothing else we’ve ever been to. If you think a day goes by without KOB talking about defending our two-time winning title, you’d be wrong,” explains J.P. Murrieta, Sports Director, KOB-TV. “Lindsey Vonn asked us ‘what’s the quickest way down the mountain?’ and we told her to grab a shovel.”
KRQE-TV and KASA-TV are bringing roughly a dozen media members to this year’s races. In addition, both KOAT-TV and KOB-TV have entered both male and female on-air personalities to their teams. KOAT’s morning meteorologist, Eric Green will compete in the second Men in Media category. Additionally, a TV Station out of Amarillo will be sending a team.
KRQE main anchors, Dean Staley and Jessica Garate, along with KRQE chief meteorologist, Mark Ronchetti will emcee the media racing categories at the event and always have their take on the races.
“These women and men from TV dress up in crazy costumes and allow us to make fun of them as they zip down the mountain. Let’s be honest, they’re braver than any of the rest of us at the stations,” states, Mark Ronchetti, Chief Meteorologist, KRQE-TV.
“Our Women in Media category continues to grow in popularity each year. We’re thrilled to have some of the most recognized media members across three states competing. We hope fans of these women and men will travel to the resort to cheer them on,” states Krysty Ronchetti, public relations director for Angel Fire Resort/SJ Communications.
The organized competition of Shovel Racing has been held for over 39 years at Angel Fire Resort. National news outlets including ESPN, ABC Sports, MTV and The Travel Channel have even featured the event. Shovel Racing was also once a featured sport during the early years of the Winter X Games. The racers are competing for cash and prizes.
For more details about the Angel Fire World Shovel Race Championship, including registration and rules, go to:
https://www.angelfireresort.com/event/world-championship-shovel-races/ or call (855) 923-7387.
BROLL OF SHOVEL RACING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iqh3jl4svs
PHOTO FILE FOR SHOVEL RACING: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B2DaG8Er2C17Q3ZXb0ZLZm4tUEk
MEDIA: To request a media pass to cover the event, or for additional information on lodging/press kits, photos or B-Roll contact:
Krysty Ronchetti
Angel Fire Resort PR Director
505-821-9279 Office
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About Angel Fire Resort
Angel Fire Resort is a top year-round mountain resort destination in New Mexico. Angel Fire Resort was named “America’s Most Affordable Ski Town” by Realtor.com and ranked a Top 25 “Best Family Ski Resort in North America” by Dream Vacation Magazine in 2016. Situated at over 8,600' elevation in the Southern Rocky Mountains, Angel Fire strives to offer the best value and choice for family outdoor recreation activities to its members, guests and visitors--including skiing, snowboarding, tubing, sledding, golf, mountain biking, zipline, tennis, fishing, hiking and more. For additional information on Angel Fire Resort, resort membership, or opportunities for real estate investment in Angel Fire, please call (855) 923-7387 or visit the resort's website at www.angelfireresort.com.
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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/035fa6ba-6b78-43d0-978d-1ac4309b36fb
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/db9951d0-2c7f-4979-b68f-872911fa717a
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4f5be2d8-7ce6-47b3-b1fb-7d0cbba0327e