The trash talking has begun in the lead up to the 2005 Mascot Mayhem.
Defending champ Whistler's Big Air Bear is feeling confident in the days before the challenge, which will take place on Sunday, April 10.
"I owe my success to all my fans who believed in me," said Big Air Bear. "I also have to throw a shout out to my home-bear Pooh for the honey – it kept me strong throughout my nap this winter. I'm ready to defend and kick some rump once again! I'd like to dedicate this one to my fallen comrades who didn't believe it was spring and stayed in bed."
But Digger the Dog, a typical Whistler mix-breed, may be giving Big Air Bear a run for his money this year.
Digger, the Bylaw Services Mascot, has been hitting the Fire Fighter's gym regularly, pumping iron and trimming down.
He's also been flexing his muscles doing construction at WAG's new animal shelter, going for long walks on the Valley Trail (on his leash of course) and playing catch at Rainbow Park.
Though he's a little media shy, Digger won’t be hiding under his paws this weekend.
He's solely focused on bringing down Big Air Bear and claiming the title for himself in honour of Bylaw Services.
He's not even thinking about the rest of the competition.
They include: Safety Bear from the RCMP, Truffles from Rocky Mountain Chocolate, Bart the Bear from Whistler Kids, Bee Bop Beluga from the Vancouver Aquarium, The Fox, from CFOX, Pemberton Potato Jack from the Pemberton Valley Spirit of B.C. Community, Nesters Value Bag from Nesters Market and Quaker Oat from Quaker.
Mascots will meet at the Essentially Blackcomb patio at 9 a.m. on April 10.
By 10 a.m. the mascots will run through an intricate obstacle course followed by a race on Whistler Mountain on the beginners slope at Olympic Station.
After that event the mascots will parade through the village and catch a game of Pictionary at the Quaker Family Zone.
Big Air Bear is holding a birthday party at 1:30 p.m. at Town Plaza and everyone, even all the mascots, are invited.
Check out www.whistler2005.com for more details.
