NORTH VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA (For immediate release) – In front of a cadre of international media at the ispo On Snow Preview in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the G3 TARGA Ascent was awarded the prestigious ‘ispo Outdoor Award’ for best outdoor innovation in the hardware category of the Winter 2006-07.

Honoring innovation, function and design, the award has been presented to an outdoor manufacturer since 2003.  Presented by an international jury, the ‘ispo Outdoor Award’ is given in four categories, including Hardware, Footwear, Textiles and Others.

“The remarkable performance of the G3 TARGA Ascent is the result of a great team effort that began with the feedback of active, working guides.  It’s very satisfying to see the TARGA Ascent rewarded by such a knowledgeable skiing community,” said Oliver Steffen, president of G3.

For the ‘ispo Outdoor Award’, the international jury included Olaf Beck (Planet Snow), Christian Penning (Skimagazin), Laurent Belluard (Skieur), Niki Nagel (Bergstolz), Rita Balon (Aktiv), and Heinz Krecek (former Technical Expert FIS), Klaus Polzer (Skiing), Wolfgang Greiner (ISPO News), and Tobias Grober (Ski ISPO).

The judges evaluated the products based on four criteria -- function, quality, and technical solutions; innovation; user-friendliness and serviceability; and design.

As telemark’s lightest, high performance touring binding, the G3 TARGA Ascent combines the critically acclaimed TARGA T/9 binding with a pole-activated free pivot system, allowing easy switching from tour to ski mode.

In tour mode, the Ascent toe plate pivots unrestricted on a stainless steel axle, eliminating the burden of boot flex resistance.  A flick of the switch easily converts the Ascent into an aggressive high performance binding.

The 3° wedge and 40mm rise further enhances the skiing performance over and above its T/9 predecessor, eliminating rocker launch and engaging the powerful G3 compression spring cartridges for outstanding downhill control.

For further touring convenience, the TARGA Ascent also includes a new, pole-activated, elastomer-spring climbing heel, providing 70mm of rise and a very clean design.  TARGA Ascent accessories include climbing wires and crampons for demanding, technical terrain.

The G3 TARGA Ascent is now in production with limited quantities available at select retailers world-wide in late February.  

About G3 Genuine Guide Gear

Blending a tradition of innovation with a passion for performance, G3 Genuine Guide Gear creates backcountry ski equipment for guides and avalanche professionals.   At G3, everything we do is focused on getting more enjoyment from the outdoor experience.  We are relentless in our pursuit of design excellence, quality engineering, and rigorous testing.  Expect more with G3.

For more information, please visit www.genuineguidegear.com.

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