Aspen, Colo. – Monster Energy, the official energy drink partner of X Games, has announced its team of world-class athletes ready to compete at X Games Aspen 2019 at Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, CO.
The world’s premiere action sports competition will unfold from Jan. 24-27. Monster Energy athletes will hit events across skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and the exciting snow bike.
Now in its 18th consecutive year in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, X Games Aspen will be the center of the snow sports world for four action-packed days. With live coverage on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC as well as digital X Games properties, the 2019 event will again feature action sports competitions, world-class musical performances and a festival village. All action sports and festival elements will be free to the public, while ticketed musical performances include Lil Wayne, The Chainsmokers and Kygo.
Monster Energy’s unrivaled roster includes athletes across the spectrum of snowboard, freeski, snowmobile, snow bike and new for this year, Snowboard Knuckle Huck, adaptive snow bikecross and para snow bikecross disciplines.
X Games is the height of winter competition, so the invite-only event is reserved for multiple-time X Games medalists and upcoming Pros in order to keep the level of riding world class. Visit monsterenergy.com for a full list of invitees and watch out for the following key Monster Energy athletes, including numerous defending gold medalists:
In motorized snow sports, Monster Energy is making a strong showing in Snowmobile Freestyle as Canadian team rider Brett Turcotte returns after claiming gold in 2018. Previously a dominant snocross racer, Turcotte barged onto the freestyle scene by taking a surprise bronze at X Games Aspen 2016 and has steadily upped his game since. His direct competition includes teammate Joe Parsons, the most decorated snowmobiler in X Games history with 17 X Games medals (five gold), who’s back with a vengeance after missing the podium last year. And with 11 medals in 12 X Games appearances, his teammate and snowmobile freestyle innovator Heath Frisby is also one to watch in Aspen.
In the high-octane Snowbike Best Trick award, a heavy-hitting blend of seasoned Moto X and snowmobile racers will be bringing aerial stunts otherwise seen on dirt to the snow. Monster Energy’s Jackson Strong was firing on all cylinders last year with a silver medal finish and is back for more.
On his dirt bike, “Jacko” also made 2018 a banner year by claiming gold in Moto X Best Trick and silver in Moto X Freestyle at X Games Minneapolis. His teammate and freestyle trailblazer Axell Hodges is looking for his first snowbike medal and will also be competing in the Snow BikeCross event next to Brett Turcotte.
Speaking of Snow BikeCross, prepare for a high-stakes showdown, as Monster Energy’s Cody Matechuk is looking for his third podium in a row after winning gold in 2018 and bronze in 2017. Hailing from Cochrane, Canada, the 24-year-old found the perfect combination of racing and snow sports in snow bike riding and has a chance to cement his legacy in the young sport at X Games Aspen 2019.
In the first-ever Para Snow BikeCross at a Winter X Games, snow bike athletes who are not ambulatory will take on the BikeCross course with some modifications to their bikes such as hand control and seat modifications. Favorites include six-time X Games medalist Doug Henry, who claimed silver in Snowmobile SnoCross Adaptive at X Games Aspen 2015 and is bringing decades of racing experience to the new discipline. His Monster Energy teammate Paul Thacker, known for setting several long-distance jump records on snowmobile, took silver in Snowmobile SnoCross Adaptive in 2016 and is looking for his first-ever X Games gold—this could be the year it happens.
Wrapping up an action-packed weekend, official sponsor Jeep will host the Jeep Wrangler X Challenge, in which snow athletes take the all-new Jeep Wrangler SUV to the limit. Putting the pedal to the medal will be Monster Energy motocross athlete Jackson Strong, off-road Jeep pilot Casey Currie, and all-round racing legend Brian Deegan.
ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will televise a combined 15.5 hours of live X Games Aspen 2019 competition, which will also be accessible via the ESPN app and WatchABC to viewers who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider. In addition, all 15.5 hours of live content, plus exclusive competitions, musical performances and X Games Extra shows will be streamed on the @XGames YouTube, Facebook and Twitter pages.
Visit http://www.monsterenergy.com for exclusive updates from X Games Aspen 2019 including photos, videos and contest results as they happen. Follow Monster Energy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter for exclusive behind-the-scenes looks in Aspen.