Whistler Blackcomb’s popular Showcase Showdown returns this Saturday (Feb. 28) with a new look based on the backyard stylings of riders all over Whistler. The all-day event is being billed as a Backyard Slopestyle, featuring a snowboarding throwdown event at the base of Whistler Mountain, in full view of the Skiers’ Plaza or the GLC.
The course has been designed with input from Olympic halfpipe designer and builder Steve Petrie, Showcase team manager Brad Broughton, Kevin Sansalone of Sandbox Films and WB’s Park Rangers, ready to host a local and fun grassroots event.
Now in its 12th year, the Showcase Showdown offers $5,000 in cash prizes and sponsor giveaways, plus the chance for the top three male and female riders to be featured in an upcoming Sandbox movie titled Shine On.
The women’s competition is scheduled for 9 to 11 a.m., and the men’s for 11 a.m. with finals expected to being around 4 p.m. For more details, visit WB’s online events calendar.
Freestyle skiers fly onto B.C. team
Members of the Whistler Blackcomb Freestyle Ski Club are all over the B.C. team heading to the 2009 junior nationals, scheduled for next weekend (March 6 to 8) at Silver Star. Yuki Tsubota and Jae Woo Choi have qualified for the women’s and men’s moguls squads, respectively, and Nicola Halliwell will join Tsubota on the women’s big air team. Choi and Taylor Wilson will compete with the men’s big air team.
Halliwell, Annik Tetreault, Sophie MacGregor, Sarah Lawson and Mackenzie Wilson have been selected as alternates for the women’s moguls and big air groups.
Happy birthday, WORCA
Tomorrow (Feb. 27) is the date to celebrate the Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association (WORCA)’s 20th anniversary. A date-fixing meeting for Toonie Race sponsors is scheduled to precede the festivities, drawing those interested in sponsorships to Dusty’s for the 7 to 8 p.m. event.
Then after 8 p.m. comes the birthday party, also at Dusty’s, featuring cake, music and tons of Toonie friends. WORCA executives are also planning to launch a new website on the anniversary. Visit www.worca.com for more information.
IPC Nordics flood to WOP
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Nordic World Cup is scheduled to begin next Wednesday (March 4) in the Whistler Olympic/Paralympic Park, drawing world-class athletes to compete in biathlon and cross-country Para-Nordic events, wrapping up on Saturday (March 7).
The event offers a chance for the athletes to check out the venue before the 2010 Paralympic Games.
The Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (WASP) is piggybacking on the last day of the World Cup by hosting a Ski-A-Thon Fundraiser on March 7.
Participants are asked to gather pledges as individuals or teams and bring them to the registration from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m., and will then get the chance to ski the trails and watch the elite athletes in action.
For more information, check www.whistleradaptive.com.
Cowboy Camp riding again
Locally trained national team ski stars Michael Janyk and Manuel Osborne-Paradis are planning their second annual “Mike and Manny Cowboy Camp,” after the success of last year’s inaugural outing for the cowboys and the kids.
This year’s camp is scheduled for April 30 to May 3 on Blackcomb Mountain, featuring instruction from six coaches including national team racers and Whistler products Robbie Dixon, Janyk and Osborne-Paradis.
Five male and five female racers will be chosen to attend the camp free of charge, with the aim of helping to give young racers a boost at pivotal points in their careers when the costs and competitiveness in the sport are starting to build up around them.
Participating skiers must be heading into their first or second year of FIS racing (born in 1994 or 1993). Applicants should submit letters explaining something about themselves and their passion for skiing and the Cowboy Camp, along with a coach’s letter of support.
Applications are due by March 20 to cowboyscamp@live.com.
