February 22, 2008

11th Annual Sapient-Showcase Showdown

Countdown to 11th annual Sapient-Showcase Showdown is on Athlete Registration In Full Swing And Filling Fast.

The Sapient-Showcase Showdown hits Whistler Blackcomb Feb 29 - March 1, 2008.   Registration is in full swing with over 40 athletes confirmed and, with the Superpipe at Base II on Blackcomb taking shape, anticipation for this year's Showdown is high.

Groomers and event staff have been hard at work pushing snow and planning the layout for this unique Pipestyle format.   Venue construction will take place next week with the shaping of the pipe walls and placement of rails and jib features. The DJ booth, beer garden, judges' stand and spectator areas will be set up by event production experts "Hangman Productions." 

Prizing for this year's Sapient-Showcase Showdown is a massive $50,000 in cash and prizes from event sponsors Sapient, Showcase Snowboards, Bakoda, R.E.D., Anon, Bonfire, Vans, Dakine, Volcom, and Nixon.  The prize breakdown for the men's category will be $10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second and $2,000 for third with cash prizes going to all men in the top ten.   The women's prizing will be $3,000 for first place, $2,000 for second, $1,000 for third with sponsor prizing for fourth and fifth place.

In addition, and for the fans, event partner Zero Ceiling will be drawing names to give away 20 snowboards throughout the two day event.  One name will be drawn every hour during the event in support of Zero Ceiling's youth snowboard programs. Zero Ceiling will also have a 10th Anniversary Party at the GLC Thursday February 28, as a thank you to all who have supported the cause.

Year after year the Sapient-Showcase Showdown gets bigger and better, this year will no doubt follow suit with the much anticipated Kokanee Beer Garden at the base of the Superpipe on Saturday. The Beer Garden will be cash only with Proper ID required to enter the area.

Event times for spectators
Men's and Women's qualifying runs take place from 4:30pm – 8:30pm Friday evening. Semi Qualifiers for men and women run from 3:30pm – 7pm Saturday with the Finals taking place at 7:30pm that evening.

Athlete Registration Information
Athletes can register in person at any Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations desk.  Registration is $100 +GST per rider and is open to 50 men and 20 women.  

Friday February 29
Registration and bib pick-up at 18Below, Base II, 1pm - 2:30pm 
Open training 2:30pm - 4pm
Riders' meeting 4:15pm at the bottom of the Pipestyle course
Men's and Women's Qualifying  4:30pm – 8:30pm

Saturday March 1
Bib pick-up for qualified riders between 1pm - 2pm
Training between 1pm - 3pm.
Semi Finals run between 3:30 pm - 7pm
Finals 7:30pm

******Helmets and bibs are mandatory for all runs including practice.

Established in 1989, Showcase Snowboards is the oldest and largest snowboard shop in Whistler, BC.  With the addition of the Burton Women's Store it is the epicenter of snowboard gear in Whistler.  Other Showcase locations include Banff. AB; and Winter Park, CO.  For all the latest gear and apparel, shop online at http://www.showcasesnowboards.com/.

For registration and more event information call 1-800-766-0449 or visit http://www.showcaseshowdown.ca/

Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests. With the landmark Peak to Peak Gondola project underway, the return of the popular Symphony Amphitheatre, and a host of other on-mountain improvements, this winter promises to be one of the most exciting yet. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular 'Sea to Sky' Highway, this resort is home to the continent's two greatest vertical-rise ski mountains – Whistler and Blackcomb. With over 17 alpine bowls, four glaciers, 200 trails, 8,171 acres of skiable terrain and a one mile vertical rise, the choices of where and what to ski/ride at Whistler Blackcomb from beginner to advanced terrain are staggering. Joined at the base by a vibrant pedestrian village filled with restaurants, patios, cafes, shops, galleries and spas, and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, this four season resort is spectacular. Check it all out at www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

ABOUT INTRAWEST
Intrawest is a world leader in experiential destination resorts.  The company has interests in eleven resorts at North America's most popular mountain destinations including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Intrawest network also includes Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest—a private resort club with nine locations throughout North America.  In addition, Intrawest develops real estate at its resorts and at other locations across North America and in Europe.  Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.intrawest.com
 

MEDIA NOTE:  Whistler Blackcomb is pleased to provide high resolution photographs available for editorial use, and downloadable at the following link /photo/index.htm.
Please credit – Whistler Blackcomb, Location: Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia.


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Proud to be a venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games