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Action sports take centre stage at WSSF

Events pile up for Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival, the biggest show on snow Action sports fans will have a lot to keep them occupied during the 2004 Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival with 10 days of jaw dropping contests and demos on the

Events pile up for Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival, the biggest show on snow

Action sports fans will have a lot to keep them occupied during the 2004 Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival with 10 days of jaw dropping contests and demos on the schedule.

The big money Ripzone Snowboard Invitational and Salomon World Skiing Invitational will return to the WSSF this year with more than $50,000 in prize money each to give away.

Returning for a third year is the Blades of Fury: Skiers vs. Snowboarders Hockey Game, featuring some of our top local pros.

The Canadian Technical Ski Championships are new this year, with individuals and teams from ski schools from around the world facing off for $22,000 in cash and prizes.

Also new to the festival this year is the McDonald’s Rail Session with $10,000 going to the best of 10 skiers and 10 snowboarders following a jam under the lights at the base of Whistler Mountain.

Daily events include the second annual Mountain Bike Trials demonstration presented by Yop, the Gillette Xtreme Zone which includes a climbing wall and demonstration Ziptrek line, a demo park where you can try next year’s gear, free ski and snowboard lessons with Ski Esprit, and the Mascot Challenge, which pits local mascots against one another in a wide range of skills.

A complete schedule is available at the Festival Web site at www.whistler2004.com.

Ripzone Snowboard Invitational – April 16-18

With a field of competitors that gets better every year, the surging Canadian dollar, and a prize purse of $55,000 Cdn up for grabs, the 2004 Ripzone Snowboard Invitational could be the biggest snowboard event in Whistler in years.

There are two main events in the Ripzone, the Superpipe-Superhit contest and the Big Air.

Expect an incredible international field this year in all events, including many of the top riders from south of the border and stars from the X-Games, Grand Prix and U.S. Open pro contests on the invite list.

The home team is also extremely strong with pros, World Cup athletes, and some bona fide snowboarding legends that happen to call Whistler home.

There is also room in the Superpipe contests for newcomers, with spots in the finals held open for the top riders from the Ripzone Superpipe Qualifier on Saturday, April 17. The top 10 men and eight women from the qualifier will move into the finals on Sunday.

That night at 8 p.m. the Ripzone Big Air will take place under the lights at the base of Whistler Mountain, accompanied by live music from the nearby DKNY//Jeans Concert Stage.

The Superpipe Finals take place the following day with 30 men and 18 women in a jam format. The contest runs from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., ladies first, followed by the rider-judged, $5,000 Superhit contest for the best halfpipe trick.

Following the Superpipe events, the action will move to the base of Whistler for the second annual Jibzone Rail Contest from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Locals will make up half the field for this competition.

You can apply for the Superpipe Qualifier or nominate a rider online by going to www.whistler2004.com/ripzone.html and following the links.

World Skiing Invitational – April 23-24

This is the fifth annual World Skiing Invitational event, and one of the original showcases for new school skiers to show their stuff to the rest of the skiing world. All the top park skiers have competed in Whistler, and this year’s field is as strong as they come, with virtually every magazine and video star in the business on the invite list.

As usual some of the top prospects are Canadian and there are a few local skiers to cheer on as well.

Like the Ripzone event, skiers who aren’t on the invite list and are looking to get discovered can earn places in the Salomon Superpipe contest by qualifying on the first day of competition on Friday, April 23. Sign up quickly because the spots are filling up fast.

The Superpipe Finals and Superhit contest take place on Saturday with a jam format for the men and women from 11 a.m. to 1:20 p.m., followed by the athlete-judged Superhit contest.

The Salomon Big Air takes place that night at 8 p.m. under the lights at the base of Whistler Mountain.

Crowds of over 10,000 are expected for both the snowboard and skier big air events, so get there early to get a good view of the action.

Canadian Technical Ski Championships – April 19-23

The Canadian Technical Ski Championships take place on Blackcomb Mountain under the Solar Coaster Chair with individuals, teams of two and teams of six facing off in four disciplines for $22,000 in cash in prizes. The contests are the short turns, big turns, moguls and a giant slalom race.

The top male and female teams in the pairs competition automatically qualify for the 2005 World Powder 8 Championshipos.

You can register by contacting Russ Wood at the Whistler-Blackcomb Ski and Snowboard School at rwood@intrawest.com.

McDonald’s Rail Session – April 23 at 9 p.m.

Ten pro snowboarders and 10 pro skiers have been invited to compete for $10,000 in prizes in the middle of Whistler Village on Friday, April 23. The session will be broadcast on national television before a crowd that is expected to be the largest ever for a rail session.

The format is a jam contest with elimination rounds to narrow the field down to a head-to-head Super Final.

Blades of Fury – April 23 at 11 p.m.

After the McDonald’s Rail Session, head to Meadow Park Arena to watch the knuckle draggers take on the two-plankers in what has become an annual event in the WSSF. The teams will include professional skiers and snowboarders, members of the media, and industry heavyweights.

This year Team SBC Skier is determined to avenge their two losses against Team Snowboard Canada, which is looking to keep its streak alive.

Some of the skating talent includes skiers Hugo Harrison, Rob Boyd, Eric Pehota and Robin Courcelles, and snowboarders Chris Brown, Kris Wilson, Shin Campos and Derek Heidt.

Mascot Challenge – April 17

Whistler’s local mascots will battle for supremacy is a series of tests that will measure their skill, bravery and knowledge of the community. More details to be announced.

Yop Bike Trials – April 16-26

Back for a second year, B.C.’s Ryan Leech will be putting on a mountain bike trials demonstration in Whistler Village with shows daily at 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. There will also be shows at 11:30 a.m. on April 17, 18 and 24.