Charlotte, N.C. (January 15, 2004) - For centuries, man has searched the heavens, seeking proof of other forms of life and wondering when they will make first contact with our planet.

That time is now. They are not friendly. They are BORG.

Paramount's Carowinds introduces BORG Assimilator, a multi-million dollar flying roller coaster that combines a deep space adventure with state-of-the art attraction technology. Nearly 40 years after the introduction of one of the most popular television franchises of all time, BORG Assimilator emerges as the first roller coaster in the world to feature a theme from the Star Trek universe. The attraction opens to the public this spring.

The BORG Collective is an immensely powerful group of cybernetically enhanced beings that gain knowledge and technology by absorbing other species. They are infamous throughout the Star Trek universe as the most dangerous, insidious and unstoppable alien threat to mankind.

Warping to our time period through a rift in the space-time continuum, the BORG crash-landed in the middle of Paramount's Carowinds and their ship - a giant gray and black sphere - has come to rest near the park's new flying roller coaster.

The BORG Collective beckons riders across the landscape of the island and into the loading station. Once inside, guests board 24-passenger coaster trains and are rotated backward to a reclining position before beginning their ascent to the top of a 115-foot, 30-degree lift hill. Anticipation builds as the coaster crests the lift hill, inverts and turns guests facedown, suspending them below the track in a superhero-like flying position and racing toward the ground at speeds of up to 50 m.p.h.

Through 2,781 feet of curves, drops and sweeping turns, riders tour the crash site where the BORG sphere - made up of a web-like structure of inhuman, biomechanical parts - sits at the end of a blackened, charred path of destruction. The beginning of the BORG takeover is evident as the coaster's track, queue line and loading station appear in an ominous gray, black and green.

"There's only one chance to be the first, so we feel especially honored to be the first theme park in the world to have a roller coaster that carries the Star Trek brand," said Dale Kaetzel, vice president of marketing & assistant general manager of Paramount's Carowinds. "BORG Assimilator gives our guests a unique opportunity - to experience the sensations of free flight without the traditional boundaries of a roller coaster. As you look out over the park, you get a virtually unobstructed view of the landscape, and you are continually surprised at where the experience takes you."

BORG Assimilator is Paramount's Carowinds' 12th roller coaster and represents another multi-million dollar investment in new attractions at the theme park. Designed by Vekoma International of the Netherlands, the coaster is the tallest in the park and includes eight inversions - more than any other roller coaster in the Southeast.

Paramount's Carowinds Information

Paramount's Carowinds offers guests more than 100 action-packed acres featuring more than 50 world-class rides, shows and attractions for all ages including roller coasters, water rides, the popular Nickelodeon Central children's area and a 13-acre water park - WaterWorks. General admission is $42.99 for ages 7-54, and $27.99 for ages 3-6 & 55 and older. Children under 3 are admitted free. Season Passes also are available. Admission to the WaterWorks water park is free with admission to Paramount's Carowinds.

Paramount's Carowinds opens for the 2004 season on March 20. The park will operate on a weekend-only schedule through May 16. The park is open May 21 through Aug. 15. Weekend-only operation resumes Aug. 21 - Oct. 3. The park also is open April 9, 12 & 30; May 7& 14; and Sept. 6.

For more information, guests should call 704-588-2600 in N.C., 803-548-5300 in S.C., toll free 1-800-888-4FUN or visit the park's website at www.carowinds.com.

To view photos, please visit Carowinds' website or go to Theme Park Review's Carowinds 2004 Construction page.