Cypress Mountain freestyle venue competition-ready for 2010 Winter Games

More than three years before freestyle skiers dazzle spectators with their jumps, twists and turns at the aerials and moguls events in 2010, the freestyle site at Cypress Mountain is the first 2010 Winter Games venue to be competition-ready.

This marks a significant achievement for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games (VANOC) – an achievement celebrated by VANOC executives and numerous invited guests. Also taking part in commemorating this special occasion were distinguished freestyle athletes Kristi Richards (Canadian World Cup Mogul Team/Torino 2006 Games) and Steve Omischl (Canadian World Cup Aerial Team/2005 World Champion/Torino 2006 Games/Salt Lake City 2002 Games).

"Early completion of our competition sites is a cornerstone of the Vancouver 2010 venue development program," said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer. "The sooner our venues are ready, the sooner our athletes will have access to the sites to enhance their chances of podium success in 2010. We started our venue construction as early as possible and are delighted to recognize this milestone, marking the first in a series of completed venues that will offer both meaningful and lasting legacies to our community.”

Cypress Mountain will serve as the venue for four freestyle skiing events, including men’s and women’s aerials and moguls, and six snowboard events: men’s and women’s parallel giant slalom, halfpipe and snowboard cross (provisional).

VANOC’s budget for the freestyle and snowboard site is $14.6 million, jointly funded by both the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia as part of VANOC’s $580 million construction budget. The construction process began in May 2006 following a comprehensive environmental review.

Key partners at the ceremony included Linda Swain, Cypress Mountain General Manager; District of West Vancouver Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones; James Moore, Parliamentary Secretary for the Asia Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics and Member of Parliament (Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam), representing the Government of Canada; Joan McIntyre, MLA West Vancouver—Garibaldi, representing the Government of British Columbia; and John Furlong, Vancouver 2010 CEO.

As one of the most popular winter destination areas in BC, Cypress Mountain attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. The 2010 Winter Games upgrades will enhance the Cypress experience for both recreational and competitive users, providing a legacy for sport development while creating lasting benefits for communities for years to come.

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.

VANOC Communications
mediarelations@vancouver2010.com