January 24, 2008

TELUS Presents the Whistler World Cup February 21-24

World Cup Fever to Feature Live Music, Big Screens, Parties, and World-Class Athletes

Picture this: Creekside as ground zero for the world's best ski racers as they fly down race courses at 120 kilometres per hour and big screens in Whistler's Village Square broadcasting live feed of all the action. Add to the mix a plethora of parties and free outdoor concerts by artists, including K-OS. Throw in a few cow-bell-wielding fans, random displays of patriotism and frantic flag waving. This isn't just any festival; it's the Whistler World Cup, presented by TELUS, which runs from February 21-24, 2008.

Whistler will host the skiing disciplines of women's Downhill (Feb. 22) and Super Combined (Feb. 24), and men's Super G (Feb. 21) and Giant Slalom (Feb. 23). What's more is that while this pivotal World Cup event takes place, more than 90 per cent of Whistler Blackcomb terrain will remain wide open to the public, operating business as usual.

"After over two years of construction and preparation we are very excited to see the best skiers in the world on the brand new Women's Speed track and the renovated Men's Dave Murray Downhill," says Peter Young, Whistler Blackcomb's Events Manager. "The snowmakers, groomers and safety crews have prepared some of the best and most challenging courses on the World Cup circuit."

The Dave Murray Downhill is named after Dave Murray, one of the most popular and personable ski personalities Canada has ever produced. He was one of the four original Canadian skiers referred to as the Crazy Canucks. The course hit a high note during the 1989 World Cup when young Whistlerite Rob Boyd stole the downhill gold on home soil, becoming not only a hometown hero, but a national legend.

Women's skiing takes place on the new course which starts on Wild Card, cuts across to Franz's Run and then connects at the bottom of the Dave Murray Downhill. Franz's is named after Franz Wilhelmson, a driving force in getting Whistler (Whistler Blackcomb) to its current status as the No. 1 ski resort in North America.

Young says part of the excitement centred around the Whistler World Cup is that both men's and women's events will be occurring during the same week, something that rarely happens on the World Cup circuit. 

Not only is there a good chance members of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team will make the podium, but five of the athletes have a Whistler connection. Michael and Britt Janyk, Manuel Osborne-Paradis, Allison Forsyth and Robbie Dixon are all members of the Whistler Mountain Ski Club.

Britt Janyk captured the gold in December at the World Cup downhill in Aspen, CO. Britt and Boyd, who is now the assistant speed coach for the Canadian Women's Alpine Ski Team,  were skiing Whistler Blackcomb over Christmas to orientate themselves with the terrain. It's safe to say she will now be skiing the course in her sleep.

"We've really got to push our limits. We've got to see what we're capable of," says Boyd. "We have to make sure we're skiing technically well and pretty much throw ourselves down the mountain with confidence."

Boyd adds: "To pull it all together and make it happen on race day – is a dream come true. It's such a total feeling of elation and accomplishment to win gold after you put so much time and effort into a sport and something you love."

Live concerts in Village Square will add to the excitement that week. DJ Shortfuse and Black Swade hit the stage on Feb. 21, while DJ Foxy Moron, The Johnstones, and Hedley play on Feb. 22. DJ Vinyl Ritchie, Shad and K-OS finish off the concert series on Feb. 23. Visit whistlerblackcomb.com for more information and updates about the Whistler World Cup presented by TELUS.
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

 

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