ABC’s World of X Games to Showcase Video Parts and Medal Presentations October 12 on ABC

X Games has invited five world-class backcountry snowboarders to compete in the fourth edition of ESPN’s video-only snowboard competition, Real Snow Backcountry, which premieres never-before-seen video parts beginning Monday, Sept. 29, on XGames.com/RealSnowBackcountry. Each Real Series athlete invited to participate is given the opportunity to partner with an editor/filmer of their choice on the production of the video and present their vision in their own unique style.

For the first time ever, each Real Snow Backcountry video part will be judged by the participating snowboard athletes and their filmers. In addition to the premiere of each video on XGames.com, all individual videos and gold medal announcements will air during the Sunday, October 12 World of X Games on ABC. The World of X show will offer fans a behind-the-scenes look into the making of each of the Real Snow Backcountry videos, including interviews with each rider and filmer. Viewers will get an in-depth look into what goes into putting together the perfect snowboard backcountry video part.

The five athletes invited to compete:

• Mikey Rencz (Squamish, B.C., Canada) – In his first X Games appearance, Rencz won gold in Real Snow Backcountry in 2013
• Andreas Wiig (Oslo, Norway) – A five-time X Games medalist, Wiig won double gold in X Games Aspen 2007’s Slopestyle and Best Trick competitions
• Pat Moore (Plymouth, N.H.) – A two-time X Games medalist, Moore made his first Real Series  appearance in 2012’s Real Snow winning a bronze medal and won silver and the Fan Favorite award in Real Snow Backcountry in 2013
• Jussi Oksanen (Encinitas, Calif.) – A seven-time X Games medalist, Oksanen won his first gold medal in Snowboard Big Air in 2001 and took home bronze in Real Snow Backcountry 2012 and 2013
• Iikka Backstrom (Encinitas, Calif.) – Backstrom competed in the 2012 X Games Tignes Real Snow Backcountry competition

Click photo to view video. Rider: Iikka Backstrom / Photo: Adam Moran

Real Series began in 2010 with the debut of Real Street at X Games Los Angeles. Based on the success of this series, Real Snow was added to the X Games Aspen lineup in 2011 as a way to bring urban snowboarding to X Games. The Real Series has also included competitions in Real Surf, Real Women, Real Ski Backcountry and Real Snow Backcountry.

Information on Real Snow Backcountry can be found on www.xgames.com and on www.espnmediazone.com for media only.

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Contact:            Grace Coryell, ESPN Communications, 213-405-4402, grace.s.coryell@espn.com