HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 06/07/07 -- Last night at dusk, Red Bull Illume -- the first-ever international action and adventure sports photography competition -- "illuminated" the sands of Huntington Beach, CA with a larger-than-life surfside exhibition featuring 50 of the best raw moments in action and adventure sports from across the globe. After making its debut in Aspen this winter, Red Bull Illume's traveling exhibition tour is hitting the beach this summer on the second stop of its multi-city tour, offering Southern California residents and visitors alike a remarkable collection of the very best of action and adventure sports photography. The exhibition will come to life nightly after sunset on Huntington Beach, projecting powerful energy-filled and spirit-evoking images on the sand from June 6-17, 2007.

Amidst the sand and surf, a breath-taking spectacle of 25 eight-foot glass and metal cubes illuminated the sands of Huntington Beach at dusk on June 6, to reveal the most dramatic compilation of action and adventure sports imagery ever assembled. More than 2,000 spectators flocked to Huntington Beach to witness the unveiling of this extraordinary outdoor exhibition, which features a larger-than-life circular gallery of illuminated photographic expressions. During the day the mirrored cubes will offer reflective seaside views of the pier, the ocean, and the City of Huntington Beach.

Athlete Steve Fisher whose extreme kayaking adventure is featured in the exhibition shares his reaction to Illume: "Red Bull Illume is the first-ever photo contest to exclusively honor the men and women behind the camera in the outdoor and adventure sports world. For the first time these talented photographers are put on a pedestal and are getting the credit they deserve. It's like the Oscars of the outdoor sports world!"

The Red Bull Illume winning images were selected from over 7,200 submissions from over 90 countries by esteemed photo editors and image experts from photography, action sports and lifestyle magazines from around the world. Judges selected the top 50 images (five finalist images in ten image categories) for the traveling exhibition, which celebrates and honors the men and women behind the lens who braved the planet's harshest terrain in order to capture athletic grit and triumph.

Illume participating photographer Brian Nevins shares his experience being part of this competition, "Red Bull Ilume is unique because we have never had a competition like this before in this genre. We've watched rock 'n' roll, fashion and other types of photography grow and get recognition for the years of hard work dedicated to it. This is the first time we can feel special about what we do and it's been an honor to be a part of it."

Red Bull Illume spotlights the top international photographers who have triumphed in the eyes of experts for their art, spirit, grit and edgy perfection, and the exhibition is a tribute to their creativity and raw skill. The top 10 category winners include:

     Categories    Category Winners

     Lifestyle       Desré Pickers - South Africa
     Sequence        David Blazek - Czech Republic
     Close-Up        Dawn Kish - Flagstaff, AZ
     Energy          Thomas Stöckli - Switzerland
     Spirit          Brian Bielmann - Haleiwa, HI
     Playground      Wojtek Antonow - Poland
     Wings           Fred Mortagne - France
     New Creativity  Jimmy Wilson - Melbourne Beach, FL
     Experimental    Tim McKenna - Australia
     Illumination    Gian Paul Lozza - Switzerland

Fred Mortagne of France achieved the honor of Illume Image of the Year for his stylized skateboarding image that has a composition beyond expression and wowed judges. As part of his winnings, Mortagne has been commissioned for the photo shoot of a lifetime with a Red Bull athlete of his choice, anywhere in the world. Mortagne will execute this dream shoot with professional mountain biker and Huntington Beach resident Kyle Strait in a remote region of Bolivia this upcoming Fall.

Following the exhibition in Huntington Beach, the top 50 photographs will travel next to Portland, Oregon on August 2-12 and to various outdoor venues across the U.S. and Canada in 2007, and to unique international destinations in 2008.

For additional, complimentary images, please visit www.redbull-photofiles.com. Please visit www.redbullillume.com for all details and updates on the worldwide exhibit tour.

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For more information, please contact:
Ryan Snyder
310.460.5362
ryan.snyder@us.redbull.com

Heather Walsh
323-866-6050
heather.walsh@mslpr.com