It's almost that time of year - many shredders' favourite Freeskiing comp will kick off the competition season in a few weeks time. Here's the release & details about the Canadian Open Freeskiing Championships and the new sponsor...

Ledcor Group of Companies is partnering with Red Mountain Resort to present the Canadian Open Freeskiing Championships, Canada’s biggest and longest running Big Mountain competition. From January 6-14th over 100 of the world’s best freeskiiers will test their mettle on one of the toughest venues on the freeskiing circuit, Mt. Roberts, battling for a $10,000 cash purse.

A global construction company, Ledcor is presently working in the community of Rossland at Red’s condominium project “Slalom Creek”. As a general principle, Ledcor supports the community by providing local opportunities through employment and supplier contracts. James Sharko, Vice President of the Ledcor Kelowna Building Division says “We are very pleased to be sponsoring the ski event as part of the Ledcor culture in supporting the communities we operate in.”

From erecting a community centre in an isolated northern BC town to making a much needed donation to a local food bank or building a specialized playground for a children’s hospice, Ledcor displays a wide range of community support through various donations and sponsorships. In addition, Ledcor has been a strong supporter of the United Way, last year achieving the “Decade of Excellence” Award. “We are ecstatic to have Ledcor as Presenting Sponsor for this world-class event”, states Erik Kalacis, Red Mountain Resort’s Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. “Not only will Ledcor help elevate the production values of the event, their support marks the first major step in evolving the Canadian Open Freeskiing Championship into a major multi-discipline competition. It is our intention to add other freeskiing disciplines to this competition in the future.”

The format of the competition will follow the International Free Skiers Association’s (IFSA) Big Mountain Freeskiing guidelines. Participating athletes will be judged on line choice, fluidity, technique, aggression and control. The IFSA recognizes the Canadian Open Freeskiing Championship as “a pinnacle in North American competitive freeskiing”. Top finishers at Red will be eligible for the IFSA World Tour Pre-Qualified List.

Jeff Holden, head judge of the competition last year, returns to lead his team of judges for another year. Captain Jack Carey returns as Chief of Competition. Registration for the Open event is limited to skiers 19 years and older. On January 11th contestants will begin qualifications on Red’s most difficult in-bounds run, Link’s Line, to secure one of the 50 sought-after semifinal slots. Finalists will compete the following two days on the technical Mount Roberts, visible to spectators from Red’s Granite Mountain.

Event Schedule: 

Saturday Jan. 6th, 2007 Junior Registration, Mandatory Meeting

Sunday Jan. 7th, 2007 Junior Competition, Ages 11-18, Link’s Line

Wednesday Jan. 10th, 2007 Open Registration, Mandatory Meeting 7pm

Thursday Jan. 11th, 2007 Open Qualifier, Ages 19+ only, Link’s Line

Friday Jan. 12th, 2007 Semi-Finals, Mount Roberts

Saturday Jan. 13th, 2007 Finals, Mount Roberts, Awards Ceremony

Sunday Jan. 14th, 2007 Weather Contingency Day

Back by popular demand, the Junior competition returns to Red for a second year for kids aged 11-18. Held on Link’s Line underneath the Motherlode Chair, youths will participate in a one-day event on January 7th. Skiers from as far away as Utah and Vermont have signed up to test their skills on some of the most challenging terrain in the region, pitting themselves against the newest “up and comers” from the Kootenays.

For registration forms and more event information, please visit www.canadianfreeskiing.com or phone Red Mountain Resort at (800) 663-0105.