11th Annual Sapient-Showcase Showdown Hits Whistler Blackcomb February 29 - March 1, 2008
Popular Pipestyle Event Set To Take Over Superpipe at Base II On Blackcomb Mountain
Whistler, BC –The 11th annual Sapient-Showcase Showdown is set to hit Whistler Blackcomb February 29 - March 1, 2008. The Sapient-Showcase Showdown is back with its unique and progressive “Pipestlye” format. With new sponsors, producers and ever-important rider feedback, the Showdown will no doubt be the biggest and best ever.
The concept came from the brain of Zoltan Katchanoski, Westbeach store manager and Chief of Course for the event. The Showdown is a grassroots event that has always been ahead of its time. The unique “Pipestyle” format has been in place for three years and includes hips, boxes and rails built into the Superpipe walls.
Totaling $50,000, this year’s prize purse includes $25,000 in cold hard cash as well as prizes from event sponsors Sapient, Showcase Snowboards, Bakoda, R.E.D., Anon, Bonfire, Vans, Dakine, Volcom, and Nixon. Kokanee has also come on board with the addition of the crowd-pleasing Kokanee Beer Garden, located at the base of the Superpipe.
Production of this year’s Sapient-Showcase Showdown is being handled by event producers Hangman Productions. With a long list of events and successes under their belt including TWSSF (2000-2007), FIS and CSF events, Hangman brings their expertise and experience to push the Showdown to the next level. “Andrew Markey (Hangman Chief of Operations) and his crew will really step up the look and quality of this year’s Showdown and the beer garden with prime viewing is sure to be a popular addition,” says Graham Turner Sapient-Showcase Showdown Event Manager.
The 11th Annual Sapient-Showcase Showdown is proud to support Zero Ceiling, an unbiased charitable society that offers innovative snowboarding programs to at-risk youth and street youth from across British Columbia. Showcase Snowboards is donating 20 snowboards to be raffled off with all proceeds going to Zero Ceiling. “I’m really proud that we’ve changed so many youth through snowboarding and mountain culture. Celebrating our 10th anniversary with the Showdown is an absolutely perfect match,” says Chris Winter, founder of Zero Ceiling.
Men’s and Women’s qualifying runs takes place from 4:30 – 8:30 Friday evening. Semi Qualifiers for men and women run from 3:30pm – 7pm Saturday with the finals taking place at 7:30 that evening.
Athlete information
Athletes can register in person at any Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations desk. Registration is $100 +GST per rider and is open to 50 men and 20 women. Registration and bib pick up are at 18Below between 1 - 2:30pm on Friday February 29. Open training is between 2:30 and 4pm followed by a riders meeting at 4:15pm at the bottom of the pipe. Bib pick-up for qualified rides is between 1pm and 2pm Saturday March 1, followed by training between 1pm and 3pm. Semi Finals run between 3:30 pm and 7pm with the finals taking place at 7:30pm. Helmets and bibs are mandatory for all runs including practice.
For registration and more event information call 1-800-166-0449 or visit showcaseshowdown.ca
About Showcase Snowboards
Established in 1989, Showcase Snowboards is the oldest and largest snowboard shop in Whistler, BC. With the addition of the Burton Women’s Store it is the epicenter of snowboard gear in Whistler. Other Showcase locations include Banff. AB; and Winter Park, CO. For all the latest gear and apparel, shop online at Showcasesnowboards.com.
About Whistler
Consistently ranked as North America's top ski and snowboard resort, Whistler Blackcomb continues to raise the level of mountain excitement for its guests. With the landmark Peak to Peak Gondola project underway, the return of the popular Symphony Amphitheatre, and a host of other on-mountain improvements, this winter promises to be one of the most exciting yet. Located a scenic two-hour drive north of Vancouver up the spectacular 'Sea to Sky' Highway, this resort is home to the continent's two greatest vertical-rise ski mountains – Whistler and Blackcomb. With over 17 alpine bowls, four glaciers, 200 trails, 8,171 acres of skiable terrain and a one mile vertical rise, the choices of where and what to ski/ride at Whistler Blackcomb from beginner to advanced terrain are staggering. Joined at the base by a vibrant pedestrian village filled with restaurants, patios, cafes, shops, galleries and spas, and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, this four season resort is spectacular. Check it all out at whistlerblackcomb.com.
About Intrawest
Intrawest is a world leader in experiential destination resorts. The company has interests in eleven resorts at North America’s most popular mountain destinations including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Intrawest network also includes Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest—a private resort club with nine locations throughout North America. In addition, Intrawest develops real estate at its resorts and at other locations across North America and in Europe. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit intrawest.com