A novel street-style event is bound for Whistler.
The World Ski and Snowboard Festival (WSSF) has unveiled it's partnership with The Grind, a competition series recently won by local Keenan Demchuk in Regina, Sask. It is operated by the Shred the North events branch of Canada Snowboard.
April 10 will feature a wild card qualifier, giving one extra skier and snowboarder a chance to secure their finals berth two days later.
$50,000 in prize money will be distributed equitably across genders and disciplines. Spectating is free, but those unable to watch in person can follow a live broadcast. According to a press release, "fans can expect jaw-dropping tricks, intense battles for podium positions, and an electric atmosphere as some of the most progressive riders from around the world throw down" at the base of Whistler Blackcomb.
"As one of the world’s most iconic action sports festivals, WSSF is all about pushing the limits of sport, music, and culture,” said WSSF director Brittia Thompson in a release. “Partnering with The Grind...amplifies our festival’s global presence and reaffirms our commitment to showcasing the very best in skiing and snowboarding."
Rich Hegarty, director of The Grind, added: "The Grind Series is a movement that is growing across Canada for the street style and park rail scenes. Canada is a breeding ground for talent in one of the most mind-melting urban winter disciplines. Expect to see tricks that risk everything for glory and totally defy logic.
"The beauty of The Grind is we take the unimaginable and sometimes ‘too fast’ to comprehend technical and make it a broadcast product with high-quality cameras and Canada’s largest mobile TV screen, so you, the public get to see the action like never before. I have envisioned ‘The Grind’ in Whistler Village headlining the WSSF for over a decade and am looking forward to this movement growing."
More details will be forthcoming on the WSSF website.
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