Extreme snowsports stars will take to the sky above five tonnes of snow before splashing down in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour.

The Sony Ericsson Big Air is one of the highlights of this year’s Sport Expo with competitors from four different winter sport disciplines vying to be king of this man-made mountain on the water.

A massive barge is being towed into place in front of the old America’s Cup bases for the massive freeze-down. It’s the first time this super snow dump has been attempted in Auckland but organisers say the “snow on the water” will give Aucklanders a chance to see the kind of stunts usually confined to the slopes of Queenstown and Wanaka.

”Sport Expo is all about new innovations and the best achievements in all sport, “ according to organiser Dave Mee.

“New Zealanders are not passive about their sport and this Expo is about seeing the best push themselves to the limit and sampling what other sports have to offer.”

This year’s Sport Expo coincides with the adidas Auckland marathon and as well as being the pick up point for race packs is also an inspirational destination for the runners with an hour long seminar on preparation for the big event hosted by Bevan Docherty, Melissa Moon and Jon Ackland.

In 2004, the Sport Expo is proving to be a mecca for national sporting events. The Nutralife New Zealand Body Building Championships set to run throughout the weekend with more than 300 competitors strutting their stuff.

Another new event in praise of amazing physique is the Miada Ms Fitness 2004, a test of strength, fitness and physical excellence for women from gyms around New Zealand.

Two of New Zealand’s fittest women are Olympic gold medalists, Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell and they’ll be along to face the fastest qualifier on the rowing machines. It’s the first time the twins have done this and it’s a unique and exclusive opportunity to race the world’s best.

Sport Expo 2004 is the proud host of a number of other “firsts” in New Zealand sport including the inaugural Harbour Crossing Swim from Devonport’s Stanley Bay right into the Viaduct Harbour. The event has already attracted a huge field including Olympic gold medalist Hamish Carter.

In the “have a go” spirit of New Zealand Sport, this year’s Sport Expo introduces a number of new events for everyone to compete in.

And special guest 'sporting celebrities 'who will be on hand on Saturday 30th at 4pm to judge the inaugural Band Aid School “Sports Haka” contest.

The proud tradition of secondary school sporting competition is echoed in the sideline cries of supporters chanting for their team. These chants have legendary status at their schools and Sport Expo is introducing a new competition to see just which school has the best chant in 2004. The call for entries has gone out with only the first 20 schools eligible for the $1,000.00 first prize.

Sportswear and street fashion have become synonymous and the Fudge Fashion shows throughout the weekend will highlight the latest styles from some of the world’s best known and New Zealand’s most exciting sportswear designers

Interaction is the name of the game at Sport Expo 2004 with more than 100 stands featuring innovative new equipment, sports supplements and even a giant clothing sale from leading brands New Balance and Orca.

There are opportunities to have a go at everything from Baseball to Cycling, Wrestling and Taekwon-Do.

With more than 3000 carparks within easy walk of the venue it’s a great opportunity to enjoy a sporting life, even just for a weekend. Tickets on sale at the door $12 adults and $6 children and a Family pass is $25