March 29, 2001

Toronto, ON-The Canadian Snowboard Federation (CSF) is proud to announce the Canadian National Snowboard Championships are returning to Big White Ski Resort in Kelowna BC April 2-8, where the event was held in 1997.

Top Canadian riders including alpine Olympic gold medallist Ross Rebagliati (BC), Brett Carpentier (QC) Canada�s top ranked male halfpipe rider, James Beach (AB) just back from a top three finish at the US Open, and Scott Shaw (AB) who won the Canadian Masters earlier this month, are all confirmed. Canada�s leading female riders, including Lori Glazier of BC and Dominique Vall�e and Manon Roy both of Quebec will all be in Kelowna to compete.

All season long snowboarders across Canada have been competing for a chance to attend the National Championships. Riders will be vying for $25,000 in cash and prizes, plus valuable world ranking points in this pre-Olympic year. Athletes will compete in the disciplines of halfpipe, parallel giant slalom (PGS), giant slalom (GS) and snowboard cross.

"As one of Canada's most progressive snowboarding resorts, Big White is very excited to host the Canadian National Championships." Said Michael J. Ballingall, Vice-President, Big White Ski Resort. "Big White has completed over $94 million in resort developments since the Nationals were last here. Combined with our excellent snow (Big White has received over 72cm in the past two weeks), we look forward to making this Nationals the best ever!"

Canadian National Championships schedule:
Tuesday, April 3 Snowboard cross finals 1:30pm
Wednesday, April 4 GS �senior 10:00am-3:30pm
Thursday, April 5 GS �junior 10:00am-3:30pm
Friday, April 6 Halfpipe-junior finals 2:45pm-3:45pm
Saturday, April 7 PGS finals 3:00pm
Sunday, April 8 Halfpipe-senior finals 2:45pm-3:45pm

Watch for the Canadian National Championships to be nationally televised on The Sports Network (TSN) and the Outdoor Life Network (OLN).

The Canadian National Championships are presented by Motorola, General Mills and Nike/ACG, sponsored by Paris Gloves and Neilson Dairy, in collaboration with Snowboard Canada.

Concurrent with the National Championships, Big White will host the Snowboard Canada National Jam Tour featuring a $12,500 in cash and prizing, Pro-Am slopestyle event on Saturday April 7 and the Motorola Boarder�s Village April 7-8 offering free snowboard demos from the sport�s leading manufacturers.

The Canadian Snowboard Federation is the national governing body for the sport of snowboarding in Canada. Visit www.csf.ca for more information.