Erik Lundberg (SWE), Mischo Erban (CAN)
Photos: Sven von Schlachta
The number one Speedboarder in the world has confirmed his place in the line up at next month’s Newton’s Playground, Mount Panorama’s Gravity Fuelled Festival.
Swedish Speedboard superstar Erik Lundberg will face off against the World #2, Canadian Mischo Erban, in what is set to be a battle of the skating titans on the world’s most famous motor racing circuit.
After registering as a Newton’s Playground competitor earlier this year, second seed Erban threw down the gauntlet to Lundberg, urging the top ranked rider to make the trip Down Under and contest his title on the very unforgiving Mount Panorama.
And answer the challenge Lundberg did - with his registration being officially received and accepted by event organisers for the Newton’s Playground Excelarate World Cup Speedboard event.
An International Gravity Sports Association (IGSA) sanctioned event, Newton’s Playground will now form the battleground for the top two international contenders, with Newton’s kicking off the 2008 IGSA World Cup calendar.
Erban narrowly missed the top ranking in the 2007 World Championship, finishing with 1732.08 points, just 10.42 points behind Lundberg’s 1742.50.
With Lundberg in the mix, Newton’s Playground now boasts four of the top five (with Scott “Scoot” Smith from Canada also recently confirming his entry) Downhill Skateboarders in the world up against the best Australia has to offer including 2006 Australian Champion, Steve Daddow.
“I have been looking forward to this event for a long time but finally I was able to finance my ticket and I’m very excited about the track after watching it on Youtube. Amazing corners!” Lundberg, who is currently in Costa Rica on a surfing trip, said over email.
“When we first started planning this event back in late 2006 we had aspirations of attracting a handful of international competitors to our inaugural event with the possibility of one of the big names. As it stands today we have secured 27 international riders from 4 different continents including two 2007 World Champions,” said Event Director Simon Rollin.
“The sporting spectacle combined with the live music concert will make for a truly unique event on Mount Panorama and we urge everyone to come along and experience Newton’s Playground,” Rollin continued.
Pre-purchase sales to date have been strong, however tickets are still available and will be sold at the gate from 7am on both Saturday & Sunday mornings. Pre-purchase tickets will continue to be sold through Moshtix up until the event weekend.
The Downhill Skateboarding/Speedboard event is but one of a host of other gravity fuelled sporting disciplines featuring at Newton’s Playground. Other IGSA World Cup events include Street Luge and Gravity Bikes alongside Slalom Skateboarding, Mountain Bikes, BMX, Miniramp Skate, Wakeboarding, Wingsuit Flying & Swooping.
A huge all Australian live music lineup will feature across the course of two days on the Skyline Stage featuring headline act Grinspoon along with Gyroscope, Urthboy, Kid Kenobi, the Funky Punks, Tonk and heaps more.
All event & ticketing information can be found online at: www.newtonsplayground.com.au
Newton’s Playground is on 7th - 9th March, 2008 at Mount Panorama, Bathurst.
Ends
More information: Kath Perry, Public Relations. P 6333 6236 M 0419 237 498
F 6331 7211 E
Check out Erik Lundberg's website www.erik-lundberg.com