The World's Greatest Snowboarders Take a Death-Defying Plunge Down an Untamed Alaskan Peak in the Thrilling Extreme Sports Adventure 'First Descent'

The World's Greatest Snowboarders Take a Death-Defying Plunge Down an Untamed Alaskan Peak in the Thrilling Extreme Sports Adventure 'First Descent'

Get Pumped Watching Snowboarding at the 2006 Winter Olympics Then Check out 'First Descent' on DVD and UMD February 21, 2006 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment and MD Films

'Hair-raising Thrills and Spills!' - Nathan Lee, New York Times

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- An elite group of snowboarding's audacious pioneers and newest superstars tackle some of the most difficult and dangerous terrain on the planet in First Descent, available on DVD and UMD February 21, 2006 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment and MD Films. This adrenaline fueled, heart-pounding extreme sports adventure, chronicles the astonishing attempt by five snowboarding icons to conquer one of Alaska's most remote and dangerous mountains. While spectacular aerial photography documents their dizzying descent from the lofty peaks, four generations of snowboarding champions, from pioneers Shawn Farmer, Nick Perata and Terje Haakonsen to the sport's hottest new stars, 2006 Olympic competitors Shaun White and Hannah Teter, share first person accounts of their death-defying rides down these perilous slopes for the first time ever.

Directed by Kemp Curly and Kevin Harrison, "First Descent" also takes viewers on a thrilling ride through the rebellious, inspiring and sometimes-controversial history of snowboarding as it evolved from a fringe hobby to a full-fledged global phenomenon and hotly contested Olympic sport. Mixing historical footage from snowboarding's maverick beginnings, real-life accounts from celebrated riders and dramatic scenes from the biggest winter contests, "First Descent" creates a fast-paced portrait of a uniquely American snow sport just in time for the 2006 Olympics. Available on DVD for $22.98 SRP and UMD for Sony PSP at $29.98.

The Ultimate Challenge

In stores on the eve of the 2006 Olympic snowboarding finals, "First Descent" treats audiences to a bird's-eye view of five top-echelon snowboarders pitting themselves against the Alaskan wilderness' most treacherous peaks. As they prepare for the ride of a lifetime, five of snowboarding's most famous and talented superstars share their stories and candid opinions on the seemingly impossible challenge they face. All of the riders know that conquering the jaw-dropping precipices and sheer mountain peaks of Alaska could be the biggest snowboarding achievement ever - if they survive. The group includes:

* Nick Perata, 38, veteran snowboarder and leader of snowboarding's first
Alaskan adventure, the King of the Hill big mountain competition;
* Shawn Farmer, 40, the original wildman of snowboarding, who transformed
the sport with his signature high-speed full frontal assault style;
* Terje Haakonsen, 30, perhaps the most naturally talented snowboarder in
history, who revolutionized snowboarding with his innovative trick
boarding and half pipe mastery;
* Shaun White, 18, Olympic competitor and multiple medalist in
snowboarding and skateboarding at the X Games, who is considered the
most talented competitive pro snowboarder in the world today and;
* Hannah Teter, 18, one of the highest-profile female riders ever, X Games
gold medalist and a favorite in the women's half pipe at the 2006 Winter
Olympics, on her first big mountain ride ever.

An Awe-inspiring Avalanche of Extras

First Descent's buzz-blasting bonus features give viewers an in-depth look at the cutting edge of extreme snowboarding, including:

AK and Beyond
Includes:
Parking Lot 'Cribs': Crewmember Jimmy Fay takes us on a very funny tour
of the first-rate accommodations the crew is enjoying.
Snow Crater Soccer: Athletes and crewmembers took to the treacherous
Alaskan terrain and created a snow surface soccer field.
Snow-Skate Park: A makeshift skate park was created in the filming
location's main walkway and Burton created a skateboard for the snow
which was readily available for athletes and crew alike to shred the
"snow luge."

Top of The World: Wescam Featurette
Walk through the tedious task of rigging the Wescam for flight, and
explain the intricacies involved in operating a $150,000 camera inside a
helicopter. The flight almost turned deadly when the helicopter got
caught in a wind current.

A Thousand Words
Photo montage set to an adrenaline rushing musical track.

Big Mountain Riding
Takes us through a basic training session explaining the do's and don'ts
of Alaskan big-mountain skiing. Nick Perata then gives us a few tips
and shares some common misconceptions that people may have when they set
out to conquer the advanced terrain of Alaska.

Deleted Scenes
* Bar Scene
* Weather Scene

Extended Snowboarding Action

The UMD version of "First Descent" comes complete with a collection of special features, AK and Beyond and Top of the World: Wescam Featurette, sure to leave you breathless.

Synopsis

Take a ride with five icons of snowboarding as they tackle the treacherous peaks of Alaska and attempt the best snowboarding feat of their lives down peaks of powder no rider has ever descended. Featuring some of the most jaw- dropping snowboarding footage yet on film, "First Descent" is a fast-paced portrait of an American snowsport that has quickly evolved from a fringe hobby to a full-fledged global phenomenon. The rebellious, inspiring and sometimes controversial rise of snowboarding is seen through the eyes of those who have set the standards and broken the boundaries, including contemporary superstars (Shaun White and Hannah Teter), as well as the sport's early pioneers (Shawn Farmer, Nick Perata and Terje Haakonsen).

For more information please visit: www.firstdescentmovie.com.

Cast & Filmmakers
Director: Kemp Curly, Kevin Harrison
Produced By: Kemp Curly, Kevin Harrison
Cast: Shawn Farmer, Shaun White, Hannah Teter, Nick Perata, Terje
Haakonsen

Technical Information
DVD
Street Date: February 21, 2006
Copyright: 2006 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $22.98 SRP
Selection Number: 28449
Running Time: 1 hour, 51 minutes
Layers: Dual
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)
Rating: PG-13 (Brief strong language and a momentary drug reference)
Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, English SDH, French
and Spanish Subtitles

UMD
Street Date: February 21, 2006
Copyright: 2006 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $29.98 SRP
Selection Number: 29771
Running Time: 1 hour, 51 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)
Rating: PG-13 (Brief strong language and a momentary drug reference)
Technical Info: English 2.1 Stereo, English SDH, French and Spanish
Subtitles

For artwork please log on to our Web site at www.ushepublicity.com or fax your request to Universal Studios Home Entertainment Publicity at (818) 866-0226.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and Entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.

CONTACTS

Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Vivian Mayer
Senior Vice President, Publicity
(818) 777-3594
vivian.mayer@nbcuni.com

Craig Radow
Senior Manager, Publicity
(818) 777-4572
craig.radow@nbcuni.com

www.firstdescentmovie.com

Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment

CONTACT: Vivian Mayer, Senior Vice President, Publicity,
+1-818-777-3594, vivian.mayer@nbcuni.com, or Craig Radow, Senior Manager,
Publicity, +1-818-777-4572, craig.radow@nbcuni.com, both of Universal Studios
Home Entertainment

Web site: http://www.firstdescentmovie.com/
http://www.universalstudios.com/

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