Directly from the Whistler Press Release:
2009 World Cup events in Whistler showcase 2010 Winter Games athletes, venues, energy
Whistler, B.C. - The 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games are just over a year away, but this winter’s World Cup events in Whistler are giving people an early glimpse of what the action and energy will be like.
Nine events are happening at Whistler’s three competition venues - Whistler Olympic Park, Whistler Creekside and the Whistler Sliding Centre - from January to March 2009. These World Cup events will provide visitors a chance to experience some of the most modern competition venues in the world and witness an extremely high level of athletic competition.
Many of the athletes competing this winter in Whistler will also compete at the 2010 Winter Games, and no doubt some will be on the medal podium. And the price is right - there is no charge for World Cup events at Whistler Olympic Park or Whistler Creekside, while the Whistler Sliding Centre is planning a nominal charge of $5.
“2009 is very exciting for Whistler, because visitors are getting a taste of what the 2010 Winter Games will be like by watching many of the best athletes in the world at our state-of-the-art venues,” says Casey Vanden Heuvel, director of communications at Tourism Whistler. “This is the winter of inspiration. The atmosphere will be intense and visitors can get a real taste of what’s to come in 2010. For the athletes, sport events are an opportunity to train and compete on the same courses and tracks they will perform on at the 2010 Winter Games, so these World Cup events are extremely important for them.”
And because construction at Whistler’s competition venues was completed so far in advance of the 2010 Winter Games, they have added a significant new sporting component and characteristic to the resort community. “We have national teams training here, athletes spending time here, visitors touring the competition venues, and now this season’s World Cup events. We also have clubs and schools offering developmental programs in many of these sports, and in this way the legacy of the 2010 Winter Games is already happening in Whistler,” says Vanden Heuvel.
More than half of the total medals to be won at the 2010 Winter Games will be won at Whistler venues. The venues were designed and built to take advantage of the rugged alpine terrain that makes Whistler a world-renowned destination for snow sports. For more information, go to www.whistler.com/olympics/events.
Whistler is offering great value and special packages this winter at www.whistler.com/world_cups. Book two nights of accommodation and get a third night free, or call 1.800.WHISTLER (1.800.944.7853) and an agent can customize a World Cup holiday.
Dates and locations for World Cup events at Whistler’s competition venues
January 16 to 17: FIS Nordic Combined World Cup (Whistler Olympic Park)
January 16 to 18: FIS Cross-Country Skiing World Cup (Whistler Olympic Park)
January 24 to 25: FIS Ski Jumping World Cup (Whistler Olympic Park)
February 2 to 7: FIBT Bobsleigh World Cup (Whistler Sliding Centre)
February 2 to 7: FIBT Skeleton World Cup (Whistler Sliding Centre)
February 16 to 21: FIL Luge World Cup (Whistler Sliding Centre)
March 4 to 7: IPC Cross-Country Skiing and Biathlon World Cup Final (Whistler Olympic Park)
March 9 to 14: IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup Finals (Whistler Creekside)
March 11 to 15: IBU Biathlon World Cup (Whistler Olympic Park)
Medal events at Whistler’s competition venues during the 2010 Winter Games
• Whistler Olympic Park (whistlerolympicpark.com) will host cross-country skiing, Nordic combined, biathlon and ski jumping events.
• Whistler Creekside is the site of alpine skiing, including downhill, Super g, giant slalom, slalom and super combined events.
• The Whistler Sliding Centre (whistlerslidingcentre.com) will host bobsleigh, luge and skeleton events.
Directly from the Sun Peaks Press Release
December 22, 2008 - Sun Peaks, BC - This morning, the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, confirmed the appointment of Olympian and Sun Peaks Resort’s Director of Skiing Nancy Greene Raine to the Canadian Senate.
Along with notable names such as broadcaster Pamela Wallin and CTV personality Mike Duffy, Greene Raine was one of 18 new appointees to the Senate.
“I am very excited and honoured to serve in Canada’s senate,” said Nancy between telephone calls from across the country. “Although this commitment will reduce my skiing days at Sun Peaks, I will be looking forward to skiing harder than ever on weekends,” said Nancy. Nancy also indicated that she will still be very active in special events at Sun Peaks.
The passionate Olympian of 1968 gold medal fame earned a place in the hearts of Canadians on the ski slopes of Grenoble, France, with one of the most convincing ski victories ever recorded. Since that time, Raine has remained an icon of Canadian skiing and tourism with prominent roles at Whistler during the 1980’s and Sun Peaks Resort starting in 1994 until the present.
Nancy will continue as Sun Peaks Director of Skiing. In this capacity, she advises management on guest experiences and is the resort’s ambassador for national and international markets.
“Between 1994 and 2008, Nancy has met and talked with thousands of our guests from all around the world,” explains Darcy Alexander, GM and Vice President of Sun Peaks Resort Corporation. “She is dedicated, hard working, and keenly concerned with the best interests of our country. I know she is very excited about the opportunity to make a difference in the government of Canada.”
“Nancy will bring tremendous energy to her role in the Senate,” explains Christopher Nicolson, President, Tourism Sun Peaks. “Nancy has the ability to inspire people and make things happen. Her appointment is a natural progression of her career in sport and tourism. Nancy will now split her time between the Senate chambers in Ottawa and the slopes of Sun Peaks where she will continue to reside.