Race for Tara

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NORTHSTAR-AT-TAHOE™ RESORT TO HOST 3rd ANNUAL MOUNTAIN BIKE 'RACE FOR TARA' BENEFIT

Proceeds from Downhill Mountain Bike Race will Raise Funds for Tara Llanes Road to Recovery Fund and Christopher Reeve Foundation

TRUCKEE, Calif. – Sept. 22, 2009 – On October 10-11, 2009, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort will serve as host to the 3rd Annual 'Race for Tara,' a benefit race weekend that is open to downhill mountain bike competitors of all abilities and will raise funds for the Tara Llanes Road to Recovery Fund and the Christopher Reeve Foundation to find a cure for spinal cord injury.

In September 2007, professional mountain bike competitor Tara Llanes was left paralyzed from the waist down as a result of injuries she suffered in a crash while competing in the Jeep King of the Mountain event in Beaver Creek, Colorado. The 'Race for Tara' series, begun by friends of the injured pro, is designed to help Tara with the medical expenses that have resulted from her injuries, and to support efforts of the Christopher Reeve Foundation as it searches for a cure for spinal cord injury.

This year's event will kick-off with race practice on Saturday, October 10 and a party at sundown in the Village at Northstar™ featuring a DJ, video screening, raffle and beer for participants 21+. The race will begin at 11 a.m. sharp on Sunday, October 11 with sport and beginner, 4-wheel, and professional and expert divisions competing on a four mile long course featuring a 1,800 foot descent that begins at Northstar® Resort's summit and ends at mid-mountain.

Donations to participate in the race are $35 for beginner, sport and expert divisions, and $40 for semi-pro and pro classes. In addition, Northstar Resort will offer discounted lift tickets for $25 to registered riders on both Saturday and Sunday of the event weekend. Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division, and GIANT Bicycles is sponsoring a $2,500 Pro prize purse.

Among the Pro racers who are expected to compete are US National Short Track Champion Adam Craig and his Giant MTB teammates Carl Decker and Jared Rando, Former US National Downhill Champion Cody Warren, and a possible guest appearance by local rider and multiple X-Games gold medalist Shaun Palmer. The event will conclude Sunday with a huge raffle that at previous ‘Race for Tara’ events has been the highlight of the race weekend.

Advance registration is available online at www.NorthstarAtTahoe.com, and race day registration will also be welcome. For more information about Tara Llanes or the 'Race for Tara,' visit http://racefortara.com/.

About Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort
One of the finest year-round mountain resorts in North America, Northstar Resort is host to a new base area village featuring 35 unique shops and restaurants, a conference center, 9,000 square foot skating rink, on-site lodging, special events and more. A winter sport enthusiast’s paradise, Northstar Resort offers 91 ski trails spread across 3,000 acres, award-winning terrain parks and snow sports including alpine and Telemark skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and tubing. Summer activities include mountain biking, golfing, scenic lift rides for sightseeing and hiking, horseback riding, fly-fishing and more.
 
Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort is located on Highway 267, just six miles north of Lake Tahoe and six miles south of downtown Truckee. For more information, call 1.800.GO.NORTH (1.800.466.6784) or visit www.NorthstarAtTahoe.com.

About Giant
Giant, the world’s leading provider of high-quality bicycles, has been devoted to cycling culture and sport since 1972.  Today, Giant combines innovative technology and manufacturing expertise to create products that are perfectly suited to every type of rider.  Committed to inspiring adventure in all cyclists, from casual to competitive, Giant aims to promote the cycling lifestyle all around the world.  For more information, go to www.giant-bicycles.com.

Press Contacts:
Jessica VanPernis
Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort
530.562.3866
jvanpernis@boothcreek.com

Patrick VanHorn
Giant Bicycle, Inc.
800-874-4268, ext 661
patrickvanhorn@giantbicycle.com

###