Ski Mont Gabriel Gears Up
The Freestyle FIS World Cup competition at Ski Mont Gabriel is about two months away and efforts are on at full steam to transform the sites, mobilize funding and volunteers as well as fine-tune the programming of the events. The resort facilities are being upgraded to meet the specifications of the International Ski Federation with an investment of a half-million dollars. The snow skiing resort has a five-year agreement with the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association and the upgrade was a part of the conditions.
The Freestyle FIS World Cup competition at Ski Mont Gabriel is about two months away and efforts are on at full steam to transform the sites, mobilize funding and volunteers as well as fine-tune the programming of the events. The resort facilities are being upgraded to meet the specifications of the International Ski Federation with an investment of a half-million dollars. The snow skiing resort has a five-year agreement with the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association and the upgrade was a part of the conditions.
The upgradation work requires many modifications such as remodeling of the slope and transformation of the landing area. In order to raise the funds needed to complete the work, MSSI has signed agreements with several municipal authorities including Ville de Sainte-Adèle, the MRC, and the CLD des Pays d’en Haut.
The weekend-long festivities begin with great fanfare on Friday, January 5 2007 with an opening show. The moguls’ competition will be held on the next day and Sunday will be devoted to aerials. Ski Mont Gabriel resort in Canada is hosting this World Cup event, featuring moguls and aerials competitions for the second consecutive year.
Located only 40 minutes north of Montreal, the resort is easily accessible. The Ski Mont Gabriel competitions will provide a great opportunity for spectators to see local, Canadian and international Olympians in action in close-up.
The International Ski Federation (FIS) first included freestyle skiing as a skiing discipline in 1979 and the first World Cup series was held in the following year. It was expanded in 1986 to include events like mogul, aerial, and ballet competition. These events were included for the first time at a World Championship held that year in Tignes, France.
The US selection events will be held in December in Park City. Likely participants include two-time Olympian Jeret “Speedy” Peterson, the 25 year old Idaho native. He has won Junior Worlds medals, followed by World Cup podiums and finally, the 2005 World Cup aerials title. Aerialist 23 year old Ryan St. Onge who was part of the Ski Team at 14 is another likely team member. He has one Junior World Championships medal and one World Cup and U.S. Championship each under his belt.
