This year the X-games will take place at Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen Snowmass, Colorado January 26-29. ESPN and ABC will televise 16 hours straight of X-games coverage. This will be the 16th year that the X-games will be broadcasted.
There are 98 invitations that have been handed out. Also, all 2016 medalists returning in 2017 received an automatic invite to compete in the event.
The first wave of athletes that will compete will include Cassie Sharpe, Chole Kim, Joe Parsons, Jossi Wells, Mark McMorris, Robbie Maddison, and Tiril Sjasted Christiansen.
Sharpe won Gold last year in the Ski Superpipe in a dominating performance.
“I grew up watching the X Games as a kid and seeing Sarah (Burke) dominate the pipe. To come here and do the same thing is surreal,” said Sharpe. “Those girls are definitely pioneers for my sport and what I do. I couldn’t be happier to represent Canada the way that they did. This is definitely a nice confidence booster. I couldn’t be happier to follow in their footsteps.”
Sharpe has posted some great times in her practice trials. She will need to stay focused and minimize any mistakes if she wants to take Gold home once more in the superpipe.
Joe Parson will be watched by a lot of individuals. He is very exciting to watch and he always brings it. In 2013, he made history by becoming the first male to earn three medals in the X-Games. He is the favorite to win his event this year.
The full initial list of invited athletes can be found on www.xgames.com. Additional information on all X GAMES Aspen events will be forthcoming on www.xgames.com for fans or on www.espnmediazone.com for media only. For photos please visit www.espnimages.com.Follow the X GAMES on Twitter at http://twitter.com/xgames.
