The North Face® Announces New Additions to European Global Team
Press Release / 25.01.2011
In the outdoor field, one of the world's leading talents, Denis URUBKO (KAZ) joins long-time friend and climbing partner, Simone MORO (ITA) uniting two of the most experienced climbers in high altitude alpinism. Born in 1973 in Russia, Urubko emigrated to Kazakhstan during the collapse of the USSR. Climbing since a young age, Urubko has made over 1,500 ascents, 40 of which were solo climbs. In 2009, he completed the world's fourteen 8000m peaks without oxygen. "Climbing is an art. To draw a new route on a mountain is like painting on a white canvas," states Urubko.
Urubko's specialty is to open new routes at extremely high altitudes such as, South Face of Broad Peak (2005); North-East Slope of Manaslu (2006); Lhotse, South Col of Everest (2010). In 2009, Urubko achieved the first winter ascent of Makalu with Moro – wearing Primaloft® outerwear. 2009 also saw Urubko awarded the prestigious World Piolet d'Or for opening a new route on the southeast face of Cho Oyu. He is currently at Base Camp in Pakistan, alongside Moro and Cory Richards (CAN), in their quest to achieve the first winter ascent of 8,035m (26,362ft) peak, Gasherbrum II.
Complementing the high-altitude alpinists is Austrian born-and-bred rock climber, 26-year-old Hansjoerg AUER (AUT). Hailing from Umhausen, Auer is best known for his awe-inspiring free solo ascent of The Fish (Il Pesce/Weg durch den Fisch) in 2007 – an incredible 37 pitch slab on the south face of Marmolade, Dolomites. 2010 was a big year for Auer: together with best friend and climbing partner, Much Mayr, he made the first ascent of 'Waiting for Godot' on the Torres del Paine in Patagonia; repeated Alexander Huber's 'Pan Aroma' on the Cima Ovest di Lavaredo in the Dolomites, and made the first ascent of 'Tingeling' on the Blamann Tower in Norway. Much Mayr describes Auer: "With overwhelming enthusiasm (for climbing), a rest day for him is like a punishment."
A shift of gear to the world of action sports, new school skier Markus EDER (ITA) adds a dynamic line to The North Face® team of skiers and snowboarders. At just 20-years-old, Eder came to prominence in the free-ski community with his surprise win of the Nine Knights contest in 2010. Entering as a wild card rookie, his first place status catapulted him onto the international scene, and has now become one of the most sought-after skiers for slopestyle/freeride events and video parts. Coming from the South Tirol region of Italy, Eder's dream is to "pursue my professional ski career without ever forgetting the joy of skiing."
SleepMonsters
