Organisers of the ultimate adventure lifestyle event, the World Heli Challenge, have joined forces with global consumer electronics company, ION Worldwide, to bring high definition footage of the two-week event and Showcase Awards to viewers around the globe.

World Heli Challenge filmers and athletes will use the new HD Sports Video Camera with Wi-Fi PODZ™ to shoot and share their videos instantly.

“We are excited to bring ION onboard as a partner,” said event founder Tony Harrington.   “The quality of their product is a perfect match to the high production adventure lifestyle content that we can provide on a global scale.   We are thrilled to have the opportunity to use this leading camera technology to showcase the World Heli Challenge.”

ION has signed a three year commitment as the title sponsor of the ION Showcase Awards Night, a black and white attire gala event, held at the culmination of the two-week competition window, featuring awards for the athletes as well as for the best photography and cinematography.  In another first for the World Heli Challenge, the ION Showcase Awards Night will be broadcast live for those unable to attend in person.

Six cinematographers will capture the event through their eyes in a five-minute clip.  Included in that clip will be footage shot with the ION AIR PRO.

“Partnering with the World Heli Challenge allows us to test our cameras in some of the most extreme environments on the planet,” said Giovanni Tomaselli, CEO of ION Worldwide.  “We are pleased to have the opportunity to showcase our new product in the beautiful back country of New Zealand’s South Island and to have a handful of the world’s best skiers, snowboarders and cinematographers in front of and behind the lens.”

About the World Heli Challenge

The World Heli Challenge brings together the cream of snowsports athletes from around the globe to compete in a unique helicopter-accessed competition. The goal is to find out which athlete is the best "all rounder" by combining their freeride and freestyle strengths to showcase their overall talent on snow.  The main event period from August 1st to 16th is jam-packed with events, parties and adventure days. For the first time this year, one athlete will be named the overall best all mountain rider.   This further separates the World Heli Challenge from any other event on the globe. Skiers and snowboarders will compete on an even field, but only one will come out on top. Will it be a skier or snowboarder?

About the ION AIR PRO

Designed for professionals and consumers alike, the aerodynamic, lightweight and easy-to-use ION AIR PRO Wi-Fi camera features a number of significant industry firsts, including Wi-Fi connectivity and free cloud storage. The unique ION PODZ system – thin, circular discs that attach onto the back of the basic camera, adding virtually no weight or volume—extends the capabilities of the ION AIR PRO. With the ION Wi-Fi PODZ and ION app, users can control camera functions and settings, view the action as it happens as a livestream, and replay or immediately upload footage to Facebook, YouTube, or share it via email.

ABOUT ION WORLDWIDE

ION Worldwide is a subsidiary of global consumer electronics specialist World Wide Licenses Ltd. (WWL). ION Worldwide’s experienced executive team has been involved in the design, development and manufacturing of digital imaging products for leading brands worldwide for almost 20 years. The new ION AIR PRO is first in the company’s new line of sports video cameras. For more information, visit www.iontheaction.com.