ALPINE:

Whistler Cup to host 450 racers from 25 countries

April 7, 2011 — Alpine Canada  

WHISTLER, B.C. — Canada will try to claim a fourth Nations Cup title in five years when skiers from 25 countries kick off the 2011 Whistler Cup later this week.

The event, in its 19th year, brings together 450 of the best 11- to 14-year-old athletes in the world and is the largest race of its kind internationally. It will be held from April 8-10 at Whistler Mountain.

"It is my honour to welcome all athletes, coaches, families, friends, volunteers and sponsors to this thrilling event, the only FIS-sanctioned event of its kind in North America," said Whistler Cup organizing committee chairman Wayne Holm. "Once again we greet young athletes from many nations, as we watch their passionate involvement in their chosen sport and their eagerness to forge lasting friendships that span the globe."

The Whistler Cup, presented by Rio Tinto Alcan, has an incredible track record of showcasing future stars. Former participants include the USA's Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso, Slovenia's Tina Maze, Sweden's Anja Paerson and Austria's Benjamin Raich. Some of Canada's biggest stars have also graced the event over the years, including world downhill champion Erik Guay of Mont-Tremblant, Que., Whistler's Robbie Dixon, Britt and Michael Janyk and Manuel Osborne-Paradis, of Vancouver, B.C.

"The Whistler Cup offers our best K2-age athletes an incredible opportunity to compete against the best in the world, and in our own backyard," said Alpine Canada National Athletic Director Jean-François Rapatel. "As previous results have shown, a lot of these athletes have used that experience to help them move to the next level."

The countries that will be represented in 2011 are Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Macedonia, New Zealand, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, the USA and the Virgin Islands. Canada won its second successive Nations Cup in 2010, with Italy placing second and Japan third.

"As one of the largest juvenile ski races in the world, Whistler Blackcomb is proud to host the racer, coaches and their families," said Stuart Rempel, senior vice-president of marketing and sales at Whistler Blackcomb. "The Whistler Cup provides an incredible opportunity for kids to travel, gain international exposure and experience."

WHISTLER CUP - EVENT SCHEDULE