The Rampage Begins

The 2003 Red Bull Rampage kicked off today under the sweltering Virgin Utah sun. The worlds finest picked, polished and tried the line that they hope will get them through to the $3500 US first place prize, just part of the $10,000 US total purse on Sunday. There was plenty of Red Bull to wash the dust down for all the spectators and media that littered the silty and jagged sedimentary rock gorge. Arriving later in the afternoon, I had the up close opportunity to watch Lance Canfield session sections of his planned run on his Formula 1 while unpredictable gusts of wind kicked up at random intervals. He, like his competition, had no trouble holding it together through carefully chosen cliff-drop hang time to stick to the landing like glue, first rate inspirational material.


Tomorrow practice continues, and on Saturday the athletes bust out for qualifying positions for the Sunday final where I’m sure we’ll see the action get more ill before the judges perched high on the gorge wall.


Mike Porter will be bringing you daily news and interviews with the riders until the close of the event this Sunday.

The 29 rider line-up is as follows:
Andrew Shandro – Canada
Cameron McCaul – USA
Cameron Zink – USA
Cedric Gracia –France
Chris Glew – Canada
Chris O’Driscoll – USA
Darren Berecloth – Canada
Dave Watson – Canada
Glyn O’Brien – Ireland
Grant Allen – Australia
Gregg Minnaar – South Africa
Greg Smith – USA
Joe Swartz – Canada
Jordie Lunn – Canada
Josh Bender – USA
Kyle Ritchey – Canada
Kyle Straight – USA
Lance Canfield – USA
Michal Marosi – Czech Republic
Mike Kinrade – Canada
Mike Wilson – USA
Richard Gasperotti – Czech Republic
Richie Schley – Canada
Russ Morrell – USA
Shaums March – USA
Steve Romaniuk – Canada
Thomas Vanderham – Canada
Tyler Klassen – Canada (unfortunately out due to prior injury)
Wade Simmons – Canada

The Judges:
Jim Conway – Head Judge
Myles Rockwell
Chris Lawrence
Gareth Dyer
Brett Tippie

Stay tuned for more madness from the Utah Desert.


For more info you can also visit: www.redbullrampage.com