Snowboard Spectacle at Vancouver’s 2010 Olympic Venue

Exactly one year out from the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, the future Olympic snowboard venue just featured a superb show with more than 300 athletes from 31 countries. Last week, the world’s best riders met at Cypress Mountain for the Snowboard FIS World Cup to compete in the snowboard cross and halfpipe events.

“Buzz around the city”
Athletes, coaches, officials and spectators got a snapshot of the atmosphere that can be expected next year during Games time. IOC President Jacques Rogge, who visited the snowboard cross competitions during his trip to Vancouver on the occasion of the 2010 countdown activities, said: “It’s just great to witness here the enthusiasm of the Canadian people and the athletes. I cannot wait to come back here in one year’s time for the Olympic events.” Britain’s number one ranked female snowboard athlete, Zoe Gillings, shared these feelings just before her snowboard cross competitions in which she placed 10th: “I’m in Vancouver right now and there is a real buzz around the city. I can’t believe the Games are only 12 months away, I’m really excited” she said.

Enthusiastic athletes
The venue at Cypress Mountain received fantastic feedback from various athletes. World Cup leader Lindsey Jacobellis (US), who won gold in the snowboard cross event, stated enthusiastically: “I love courses like this one with great jumps and turns. It was a blast to ride this course and even better to win the race”. Likewise, US superstar Shaun White was also more than just pleased with his victory in the halfpipe event: “This win means a lot to me. You get to know everything, the pipe as well as the whole set-up. Next year is going to be wild! All the riders did well. There is so much talent out there.” And Ryoh Aono from Japan, who placed second behind White, said: “Well, of course I wanted to win today but I will get another chance in one year.”

Vancouver – a “spectacular host”
Despite the fact that the parallel giant slalom had to be cancelled, FIS officials can look back on successful competition days of on the very spot where Olympic stars will compete next year. FIS Snowboard Race Director Marcel Looze concluded: “Vancouver has been a spectacular host to the snowboard athletes for the past several days and we are fully satisfied with this venue for the 2010 Winter Games.”