FREESTYLE:
Calgary host elite athletes for Canada Post Grand Prix this week
The world’s greatest jumpers and moguls skiers descend on Calgary this week for the prestigious Canada Post Grand Prix at WinSport Canada’s Canada Olympic Park.
One hundred and sixty athletes from more than 20 countries will be in Alberta for the FIS freestyle World Cup that starts on Thursday and culminates with the finals for both moguls and aerials events on Saturday.
The Canadian National Freestyle Team has already racked up 20 medals on the World Cup circuit this season and hopes to continue its winning ways on home soil.
What’s more, this week’s events are the last chance for Canadian athletes to qualify for the upcoming FIS World Freestyle Championships in Deer Valley, Utah, and the race is on for the coveted spots to that important event. Canada’s mogul squad is the strongest in the world, so there are particularly close races for the four spots allocated per gender in that discipline. This weekend’s event in Calgary will determine who gets to go to worlds.
Spectators who make their way to COP for the free events this week will see the likes of Olympic champions Alex Bilodeau and Jenn Heil bump their way down the course to the cheers of a hometown crowd.
On the aerials side, veteran team member and Calgary native Warren Shouldice will lead his young Canadian teammates as they launch themselves up to 60 feet in the air, performing the most difficult acrobatic maneuvers of any athletes.
The Canadian Freestyle Ski Association is grateful to the following funding partners for their ongoing support of freestyle skiing in Canada and their particular support of the Canada Post Grand Prix in Alberta. Without them, this event would not be possible:
- Canada Post
- Government of Canada
- Government of Alberta
- Travel Alberta
- Tourism Calgary
- City of Calgary
- Calgary District Marketing Fund
- Calgary Sport Tourism Alliance
- Winsport Canada
- VisitCalgary.com
One of the key funding partners said, “Tourism Calgary is proud to support the Canada Post Freestyle Grand Prix. Bringing world-class events like these to Calgary bring tremendous economic benefit, encourage travelers to visit now and inspire our youth to get active.”
Randy Williams, Tourism Calgary president and CEO, added, “The Freestyle Grand Prix highlights the incredible facilities at Canada Olympic Park, one of Calgary’s great treasures. And the athletes, coaches, officials and families who will visit during the event also have the opportunity to enjoy Calgary’s incredible variety of authentic experiences.”
The CFSA also thanks its corporate sponsors, who have shown incredible commitment and dedication to its athletes and programs:
- Canada Post
- Ernst & Young
- Bell Canada
- Columbia Sportswear
- RBC Financial
- Westin Calgary
Finally, the CFSA is exceedingly grateful to the 150 volunteers who are working to make this event a reality. S-Magazine
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