Wednesday, March 29, 2017WHISTLER, B.C. (March 30, 2017) – Whistler Blackcomb is proud to welcome athletes, coaches and families to the 2017 Mackenzie Investments Whistler Cup, the largest and most prestigious international children's ski racing event in North America.
The 25th Whistler Cup will take place April 13 to 16, 2017, and will bring together over 400 of the world’s best 12 to 15-year-old ski racers from more than 20 countries to compete for super-G, slalom and giant slalom glory. Organizers are thrilled to announce the return of the US Team after a six-year hiatus!
“It is my honour to welcome all the athletes, coaches, families, friends, volunteers and sponsors to the 25th anniversary of the only FIS-sanctioned event of its kind in North America,” said Whistler Cup organizing committee chairman Jim McGovern. “We are very excited this year to be welcoming back a few of the skiing nations like USA, NOR and SUI, who have not attended in a few years. As well, we greet young athletes from many nations, as we watch their passion in their chosen sport and their eagerness to forge lasting friendships that span the globe. This year also sees Whistler Cup adding the new Olympic Team Event, which will be sure to add another level of excitement for both the fans and athletes, with each country competing in head to head racing.”
Whistler Cup has a history of showcasing future stars, including Americans Lindsey Vonn, Julia Mancuso and Mikaela Shiffrin, as well as Slovenia’s Tina Maze, Italy’s Christof Innerhofer and Austria’s Nicole Hosp, Anna Fenninger and Mathias Meier. Many of Canada’s biggest stars have also competed on this stage, including Marielle Thompson, Kelsey Serwa, Jan Hudec, Erik Guay, Robbie Dixon, Britt and Michael Janyk and Manuel Osborne-Paradis.
“The Whistler Cup is an excellent opportunity to race in your own backyard against your peers at the international level,” explained World Cup star Manny Osborne-Paradis. “This race gives kids a chance to see the diverse competition that exists in Europe and other countries. Many have used this experience to help them move to the next level and have gone on to compete on the World Cup.”
The inaugural Whistler Cup was held in 1993 and is the brainchild of Max Meier, parent of a young racer at the time. Meier and co-founders Joze Sparovec and Jim Yeates were inspired by the famed Italian international juvenile race “Trofeo Topolino”. Whistler Cup has grown in stature and influence over its 25 years, and its successes are celebrated by Whistler Blackcomb and the Whistler Mountain Ski Club.
“Mackenzie Investments is proud to once again support Whistler Cup and to be a part of nurturing young ski athletes as they compete on the world stage,” said Barry McInerney, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mackenzie Investments. “We wish all the athletes from around the world success and thank our partners at Whistler Cup for putting on this superb event. From the starting gates to the podium, Whistler Cup is about developing quality athletes and giving them the confidence needed to rise to the top."
WHISTLER CUP – EVENT SCHEDULE
| Raven | Ptarmigan | Upper Dave Murray | |
| Thursday April 13 | U16 Ladies & Men Super G | ||
| Friday April 14 | U16 Ladies and Men GS | U14 Ladies Slalom | U14 Men Dual Slalom |
| Saturday April 15 | U14 Men GS | U16 Ladies & Men Slalom | U14 Women Dual Slalom |
| Sunday April 16 | U14 Women GS |
U14 Men Slalom |
U16 Men and Women & Team Event |
EVENT DETAILS: For more information about the Whistler Cup and Canada’s team, which is due to be announced on Monday, April 10, 2017 please visit: whistlercup.com
MEDIA ACCREDITATION: Media planning to attend the Whistler Cup should visit: https://whistlercup.com/forms-2/
SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Canada’s Alpine Ski Teams on Facebook, Instagram (@alpinecanada) and Twitter (@Alpine_Canada)
