Canadian Ski Mountaineering Cup 2009 Announced (CA)

SMCCCanadian National Calendar to include events at Banff, nelson, Fernie, Golden, and whistler
the “ARC’TERYX/SUNSHINE 5000” race at SUNSHINE SKI AREA will kick off the 2009 canadian cup calendar on Saturday 07 fEBRUARY 2009. As hosted by SKI MOUNTAINEERING COMPETITION CANADA, of The ALPINE CLUB of CANADA, the Sunshine 5000 will be the first of five events that will feature across Alberta and British Columbia, in what will be the biggest season ever for ski mountaineering competition in this country.

Not only for our elite National-level skiers and competitive Open Category athletes, these international format (ISMF rules) races all share a strong connection to local community and enthusiasm. Each event will award prizes for ‘recreational’ or ‘introductory’ classes over a reduced course - perfect for those who like to keep the fun quotient high, or are new to ski mountaineering competition. All rules, race formats, and course descriptions will be posted at the event websites, listed below.

Sign on! Get up a team of your friends, or a workplace challenge. Rankings will be maintained over the calendar by the SMCC and posted and updated after each race on the Alpine Club of Canada website. Win cash prizes. Win gear. Win beer. Rankings count toward the Canadian Cup championship and are considered when the National Ski Mountaineering Team is chosen each year.

If you are interested, but don’t know if you can – or want to – race, why not volunteer? Every race needs personnel for starts, finishes, time-keepers, photographers, and course marshals. Contact us. Many of our supporters and sponsors work as hard as the athletes to make the events successful. Many of our supporters and sponsors ARE the athletes.

Register for SMCC races via the form attached to the end of this announcement, via the www.skimocanada.org URL (coming mid-January) or through the Alpine Club of Canada website www.alpineclubofcanada.ca . Information for each event can be found at the dedicated event websites as they come on-line over the next weeks.

SMCC CALENDAR EVENTS WILL BE:

ARC’TERYX SUNSHINE 5000 - 07 February 2009
Sunshine Village, Banff AB www.skimocanada.org or www.alpineclubofcanada.ca

ROAM RANDONNÉE RALLY – 21 February 2009
Whitewater, Nelson BC http://www.mountaingear.com/coldsmoke/ROAMRR.aspx

MOUNTAIN STORM – 07 March 2009
Fernie Alpine Resort, Fernie BC www.mountain-storm.com

ROSSIGNOL DOGTOOTH DASH – 28 March 2009
Kicking Horse Resort, Golden BC http://www.kickinghorseresort.com/activities/events/special

NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS – 18 April 2009
Whistler BC [still seeking sponsorship – step right up and talk to us!]

David Dornian, ACCCome out for the contest, the party with your friends, or just to learn more about this exciting and challenging new kind of ski racing.

David Dornian, chair
SKI MOUNTAINEERING COMPETITION CANADA / COMPÉTITION DE SKI ALPINISME CANADA
The Alpine Club of Canada / Le Club Alpin du Canada
www.skimocanada.org
www.alpineclubofcanada.ca

Media & direct enquiries:

Contact: David Dornian ddornian@agt.net
Phone: +1 (403) 969-9673
Contact: Ryan Johnstone ryan@ortovox.ca
Phone: +1 (403) 813-6495