34th Edition of the President’s Choice® Canadian K2 Championships to be Held in Collingwood, Ontario
March 22-26, 2010
Event to Determine Top 13 and 14-year-old Alpine Ski Racers in Canada
Collingwood, ON (March 10, 2010) – In less than two weeks, one hundred and seventy 13 and 14 year-old ski racers from across the country will compete in the President’s Choice® Canadian K2 Championships at Osler Bluff, Georgian Peaks, and Craigleith Ski Resorts (ON). Held from March 22 to 26, the 34th edition of this premiere alpine racing event will feature girls’ and boys’ Super G, Super Combined, Slalom and Giant Slalom competitions to determine the nation’s rising skiing superstars.
The highly anticipated races represent a major benchmark in Alpine Canada Alpin’s world-leading ski racer development programs. According to the record books, nine members of Canada’s current National Team have clinched titles at the K2 Championships throughout the course of their athletic careers. This includes Larisa Yurkiw from the Georgian Peaks Ski Club who struck gold in super G at the 2003 K2 Championships.
“I didn’t know it at the time, but the friends I met at the K2 champs have become some of my closest friends over the years,” recalled Yurkiw, a local hero who went on to achieve a career best 9th place finish in downhill at the Tarvisio, ITA World Cup just over a year ago.
“I remember how much of a thrill it was for me to compete against the best in the country at that age. Today, I’m so proud to say I’m from Georgian Peaks and show the world my skill set were made right here in Ontario on our hills,” added Yurkiw who is expected to make an appearance at this year’s President’s Choice® Canadian K2 Championships.
Following performances at the President’s Choice® Canadian K2 Championships, top performing Canadian athletes will be invited to participate in the IRIS Vision to the Top Camp 2010 as well as the Whistler Cup. Held annually in April at the Whistler (BC) Mountain Resort, the Whistler Cup is an international ski race for the world’s best 13 and 14 year-old athletes. Whistler Cup participants have been known to go on to successful careers on the World Cup circuit.
“The President’s Choice® Canadian K2 Championships are a key pillar for the future of ski racing in Canada,” commented Alpine Canada Alpin Director of National Development, Benoit Lalande. “The young skiers competing in the K2 Championships represent the future generation of Olympians for 2018 and beyond. It’s crucial that we offer them the most beneficial experiences early on so that they can reach their full potential. Thanks to the contributions of valued sponsors, like President’s Choice® and dedicated volunteers, we’re able to ensure the hosting of a high quality and safe event for Canada’s up-and-coming national development and alpine ski team athletes,” he concluded.
To accommodate the event’s expansive racing needs, competitions will be held at three ski resorts – relying on the strengths of three organizational teams. While Osler Bluff will host the Super G races and Georgian Peaks will welcome skiers for the giant slaloms, Craigleith will put on the slaloms.
“It is an honor for Southern Ontario to host the best skiers in Canada,” said Henry Haiduk, Race Chair. “Many of our past champions have gone on to the National Team as shown by this year’s Olympics. Whatever the goal, this will be an experience of a lifetime and we welcome the athletes to a fun-filled race series.” added Haiduk.
All races will be held in collaboration with Alpine Ontario Alpin.
“On behalf of Alpine Ontario Alpin and all of our member clubs, I look forward to welcoming all of the athletes to the President’s Choice® K2 Canadian Championships,” said Nancy Esson, President of Alpine Ontario Alpin. “The host clubs, Osler Bluff, Georgian Peaks and Craigleith are very excited to provide the venues for one of the most exciting Canadian Championship series. Many of the athletes competing in this event will continue in ski racing into the future where they will represent Canada on the world stage. We look forward to meeting all of the racers and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone good luck,” she concluded.
President’s Choice®, the official nutritional sponsor of the Canadian Alpine ski teams, is title sponsor of the event for a third year in a row. In addition to supplying valuable financial resources for the hosting the event, President’s Choice® will also be “Feeding the Home Team” throughout the week by providing healthy food stations for more than five hundred athletes, volunteers, race officials, parents and fans.
“When it comes to healthy eating and living a healthier lifestyle, food and fitness are a great match,” said Craig Hutchison, Senior Vice-President Marketing, Loblaw Companies Limited. “That’s why we are proud to be the official nutritional sponsor of the Alpine Canada Ski Teams.”
About the President’s Choice® Canadian K2 Championships
The 2010 President’s Choice® K2 Canadian Championships are hosted at Osler Bluff, Georgian Peaks, and Craigleith Ski Resorts (ON) from March 22 to 26. As a nationally-sanctioned event, the races involve approximately 170, 13 and 14 year-old ski racers from across the country and feature girls’ and boys’ Super G, Super Combined, Giant Slalom, and Slalom titles. For more information about the President’s Choice® Canadian K2 Championships please visit the official event website at www.k2championships.com.
FOR THE COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS, VISIT: http://www.k2championships.com/webconcepteur/web/alpine/en/k2champs/nav/schedules.html
Kyle Marr
Director of PR & Media Communications
Alpine Canada Alpin
Tel: (403) 777-3204
TELUS: (403) 860-0665
kmarr@canski.org
Marie-Hélène Thibeault
President’s Choice® K2 Championships
Media and Communications
Alpine Canada Alpin
Tel.: (403) 678-4806
info@k2championships.com