SKI CROSS:

Rockstar Ski Cross Grand Prix kicks off Monday at Blue Mountain

Jan. 17, 2010          ►Photo: Ski cross action (Agence Zoom)

COLLINGWOOD, Ontario — The hottest team in the world of competitive ski cross is set to show off its talent this week as the Rockstar Ski Cross Grand Prix rides into Blue Mountain Resort in southern Ontario.

Canadian ski cross athletes, including Ashleigh McIvor, the 2009 FIS world champion, and Stanley Hayer, the 2009 Winter X-Games winner and multiple World Cup medallist, will be racing in front of a home crowd for the first time ever at Blue Mountain.

The official training and qualifying will be completed on Tuesday, Jan. 19, with the heats, semifinals and finals on Wednesday, Jan. 20.

Part of the FIS freestyle World Cup, the event is crucial for many athletes on the brink of Olympic qualification.



Canada Ski Cross will officially name its 2010 Olympic team shortly following the Rockstar FIS World Cup Ski Cross event.



“Our goal is to showcase ski cross as the coolest winter Olympic sport in Canada,” Canada Ski Cross president Cam Bailey said. “Having the sport’s Olympic debut at home presents a tremendous opportunity for us to ignite a passion for ski cross in the hearts of all Canadians.

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The World Snowsports Events Group, headed by event co-chairs Chris Robinson and Mark Kristofic, has planned a spectacular event that will feature a ski cross track designed by Jeff Ihaski, who has constructed a handful of World Cup and World Championships courses and will be the course designer for the 2010 Winter Games.

“Our first priority was to ensure that this is a high-level athletic event,” said Kristofic, also the publisher of SRC Magazine. “The athletes are fine-tuning their preparations for the 2010 Games, so it was appropriate that we brought Jeff in to design the course. Those that have not witnessed ski cross first hand will be in for a real treat; it is hands down the most exciting spectator winter sport.”

 


The Rockstar Ski Cross Grand Prix will be broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet across Canada in two one-hour shows on Feb. 6-7. Show times in each region can be found by clicking on FIS Freestyle World Cup at www.SkiTelevision.com/broadcastschedule.aspx.  SRC

Rockstar Ski Cross Grand Prix Schedule