Tara Llanes Classic Returns to Northstar

TRUCKEE, Calif. – Sept. 20, 2010 – As we move into the fall season, Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort will again host the ‘Tara Llanes Classic,’ serving as the Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort race series finale, and a benefit race weekend scheduled for October 2-3, 2010 that is open to downhill mountain bike competitors of all abilities. Proceeds from the race and activities associated with the weekend will support the Tara Llanes Road to Recovery Fund and the Reeve-Irvine Research Center to find a cure for spinal cord injuries.

In September 2007, professional mountain bike racer Tara Llanes was left paralyzed from the waist down as a result of injuries suffered in a crash while competing in the Jeep King of the Mountain event in Beaver Creek, Colorado. The ‘Tara Llanes Classic,’ began when friends of the injured pro started the event to help raise money for her medical bills. Four years later, the event has grown to now provide charitable medical assistance to professional mountain bike athletes who compete in downhill, 4X, dual slalom and cross-country events, and to support the efforts of the Reeve-Irvine Research Center as it searches for a cure for spinal cord injury.

This year’s event will feature activities for all ages including an expo at mid-mountain both days, a Shimano Kids’ Race on Saturday, downhill clinics offered by Giant Bicycle DH pro Duncan Riffle, a premiere screening Saturday night of the highly anticipated mountain bike film, “Life Cycles,” and a huge prize raffle with hundreds of items on Sunday, October 3.

The race takes place on Sunday, October 3, with competitors racing on a four mile long World Cup style DH course featuring an 1,800 foot descent that begins at Northstar® Resort’s summit and ends at mid-mountain. Pro and Expert-level riders will ride a different course than those competing in the Sport and Beginner categories. Donations to participate in the race are $35 for Cat.2 and Cat.3 (Sport and Beginner) and $45 for Cat.1 (Experts) and pros. And, Northstar Resort will offer discounted lift tickets for $20 to registered riders both Saturday and Sunday of the event weekend. Medals and other prizes will be awarded to the top finishers, and the experts and pros are eligible for the $2,500 Giant-Shimano Pro prize purse.

Professional racers already confirmed to participate include Duncan Riffle, Carl Decker, Kelli Emmet, Cody Warren, Sabrina Jonnier, Kathy Pruitt and Kirt Voreis. Also returning are last year’s Pro Men’s podium, Adam Craig, Evan Turpen and Mark Weir.

Advance pre-registration is available online at www.NorthstarAtTahoe.com. Race day registration will also be welcome. For more information about Tara Llanes, the ‘Tara Llanes Classic,’ and the pre-registration Blackburn Racer Bundles please visit www.tarallanesclassic.org.

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About Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort
One of the finest year-round mountain resorts in North America, Northstar Resort is host to a base area village featuring more than 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 93 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.

 This year’s event will feature activities for all ages including an expo at mid-mountain both days, a Shimano Kids’ Race on Saturday, downhill clinics offered by Giant Bicycle DH pro Duncan Riffle, a premiere screening Saturday night of the highly anticipated mountain bike film, 'Life Cycles,' and a huge prize raffle with hundreds of items on Sunday, October 3.

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Related Links

» Mountain Bike Park fall hours
» $79 Mountain Bike package
» BikeSkills Clinics
» Double Whammy® Pass

Press Contacts:

Jessica VanPernis
530.562.3866
jvanpernis@boothcreek.com

Kirstin Cattell
530.543.3132
kcattell.st@boothcreek.com

Kristin Yantis
720.532.0211
kyantis@myprco.com