Freestyle Skiing Frenzy in Okanagan
Penticton (BC), Canada - The world’s best freestyle skiers have arrived in the Okanagan city of Penticton in anticipation of this weekend’s Canada Post Freestyle Grand Prix at Apex Mountain Resort. The event, part of the Freestyle FIS World Cup, will feature more than 130 athletes from 18 countries competing in Half-pipe, Mogul and Aerial competitions from Friday though Sunday.
“We’re ready,” said Apex General Manager James Shalman, “the weather has cooperated and we’ve got an excellent snow base. Our on-hill crew and the event organizers have done a great job getting sites prepared; I think the crowd is going to be in for a fabulous show.”
The strong Canadian team is headlined by Olympic gold medal winner Jennifer Heil from Spruce Grove, AB, now residing in Montreal; local hero Kristi Richards from Summerland, BC who won her first World Cup gold medal last month at Deer Valley, Utah; and Kelowna resident and current Aerials World Champion Steve Omischl.
Canada leads this year’s Nations Cup race followed by the US and China.
“It’s going to be a thrill to compete in front of all my friends and family,” said mogul star Richards. “Apex is the mountain I grew up on and they treat the whole team so well during the event and the time we train here, I hope there’s a huge crowd to cheer us on.”
Events start with the Half-pipe competition with finals Friday afternoon at 1:30 pm.
A “Freestyle Frenzy” community event will take place at 7:00 pm at Gyro Park in downtown Penticton Friday night. A trampoline show, performances by Vancouver band DNA, “human dog sled races,” and lots of other activities promise to make it fun for the whole family.
Saturday will bring the moguls competitions and Sunday features aerials.
The Okanagan’s “Freestyle Frenzy” will continue next month with the Canada Post Junior National Freestyle Championships at Silver Star just outside Vernon. More than 100 athletes from across Canada will be competing.
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Freestyle Skiing Frenzy in Okanagan
