WSI: Schiller, Dorey, Martinod, Burke win in Whistler

Technically advanced course, great conditions and high level of competition highlight event

April 17, 2005 - Whistler, BC -The World Skiing Invitational wraps the final weekend of the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival with crowds lining the course to catch the pros going big. Skiers laid it out for their share of $50,000 in both the Slopestyle and Superpipe competitions, enjoying great course conditions for the finals of both events.

"The Slopestyle Course was incredibly technically advanced with big features," said Josh Loubek, head judge of the World Skiing Invitational. "We were really lucky with the conditions - the Superpipe Finals fell on one of the biggest powder days of the season, but the storm passed and skies turned blue just in time for the competition."

The Slopestyle competition went off with the big names pulling clutch and coming through when it counted. On the men's side, TJ Schiller adds to his US Open Slopestyle title with a win at the World Skiing Invitational. TJ led the field all day and continued to dominate in the Super Final. Peter Olenick was right on his heels and crushed the top section of his final run, but TJ rounded it out with consistency throughout the course. John Spriggs also had a solid day with a third place finish and a win in the Big Hit competition. On the women's side, Marie Martinod dominated the field to take home the title, followed by Denise Jawarsky and Heather La Hart.

The Superpipe competition was characterized by underdogs breaking through. Unlikely World Skiing Invitational Superpipe Champion Justin Dorey received a berth in the Finals after a fifth place finish in the Qualifier. The 16-year-old Vernon, BC native brought an entourage from his home mountain to cheer him on, boosting major amplitude, with great style and difficulty. Another breakthrough performance came from 18-year-old Norwegian skier Andreas Hatveit who beat out a strong list of veterans for 2nd spot and an overwhelming win in the athlete-judged SuperHit competition. Veteran Peter Olenick took home third.

The women picked it up a level from last year with back-to-back 5's and corked 7's added to the repertoire. Marie Martinod was killing it all morning with consistent runs and had the victory in the bag until the final run of the day. Sarah Burke had been struggling and finally pulled out the victory on her last run, ending Martinod's possibility of a sweep of the event. Ashley Saba finished in third spot.

The TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival, voted Whistler's "Event of the Year", is produced by W1 - Whistler's largest sport and entertainment marketing company. Experience the synergy of legendary music, arts and sports events, featuring the World Snowboarding Invitational, the World Skiing Invitational and the DKNY Jeans Outdoor Concert Series, as well as the Pro Photographer Showdown and Filmmaker Showdown. New additions to the line-up this year include the Smirnoff Experience and BRAVE Art. For more information please visit www.whistler2005.com.

SLOPESTYLE RESULTS PAGE 2

SUPERPIPE RESULTS PAGE 3