Winter X Games lands in Tignes March 14-16

Tignes is to host the Winter X Games for a third time this winter when it returns March 14-16.

Launched in Rhode Island in 1995, X Games have quickly become the event for year-round extreme sports fans. It brings together the best of alternative practices, including snowboarding, slopestyle and snowmobiling in winter and skateboarding, mountain bike and rollerblading in summer.

The three-day competition attracts more than 66,000 spectators to Tignes and the event is broadcast live in eight countries and distributed in more than 166 countries around the world.

For the third edition, the Winter X Games at Tignes plans to bring together more than 125 athletes from across the globe. They will participate in ski and snowboard SuperPipe and SlopeStyle competitions.

The SuperPipe is probably the most awaited competition of the Winter X Games. Its king-size dimensions (220 x 19m) give the riders maximum speed and amplitude. Athletes are judged on amplitude, execution, difficulty, landings and use of the SuperPipe.

Shaun White at the 2011 X Games in Tignes: