Garnier Fructis World Skiing Invitational
Whistler, BC, April 28, 2003 - The world's top freeride skiers converged at Whistler Blackcomb on April 19 to perform in front of one of the biggest crowds ever for the Garnier Fructis World Skiing Invitational, as part of the closing weekend of the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival.
Competing for $50,000 in cash and prizes was a field of 75 athletes for men's and women's divisions of Salomon Superpipe and the Salomon Superpipe Qualifier, as well as a star-studded field of 19 Salomon Big Air competitors.
The largest event of the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival was the Salomon Big Air that was held at the base of Whistler Mountain to the backdrop of 15,000 people who swarmed to view the spectacular airs, spins and Big Air styles thrown down by the skiers. The DKNY//JEANS Mainstage area was converted into a DJ tower on which the Ninja Tune DJs Amon Tobin, Bonobo and Kid Koala performed to the stunning tricks of the athletes.
Earlier in the day, skiers kicked it up at Blackcomb Mountain's Nintendo GameCube Terrain Park where the competitors were watched by a large and encouraging crowd who cheered the athletes through their tricks as they conquered the pipe despite poor visibility.
Remarking on the weekend's events, Salomon Marketing Manager Andrew Stewart said: "The innovation is incredible and the skill level of the athletes keeps getting better. The huge crowds at the Superpipe and especially at the Big Air in the village confirm the excitement we're all feeling about the sport of skiing right now."
As the final sporting event of the 10-day TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival, the Salomon Big Air and Salomon Superpipe competitions completed a full selection of world-class snowsports that also included the Ripzone Snowboard Invitational (April 12-13) and the Saab Salomon Crossmax Series (April 16-17).