USSA

Olympic Spots on Line at Toyota U.S. Grand Prix

by
Caitlin Furin
2017-06-20 21:22
 

PARK CITY, Utah (June 21, 2017) – U.S. Snowboard Team and U.S. Freeski Team athletes will be competing to punch their tickets to the Olympic Winter Games in the 2017-18 iteration of the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix, marking Toyota’s second consecutive year as the events’ title sponsor. Colorado’s Copper Mountain and Aspen Snowmass, along with California’s Mammoth Mountain will host stops on this season’s tour. U.S. Ski & Snowboard has also partnered with the Dew Tour for an additional Olympic qualification event.

Long-time Grand Prix partners Copper Mountain and Mammoth Mountain return once again to host the world’s best skiers and riders for a total of eight Olympic qualifying events. Halfpipe skiing, halfpipe snowboarding and big air snowboarding will kick off at Copper Mountain Dec. 6-10. Athletes will light up Mammoth’s Unbound terrain park January 17-21 with halfpipe snowboarding, halfpipe skiing, slopestyle snowboarding and two slopestyle skiing competitions. The Olympic teams for all sports will be named after the Mammoth event.


U.S. Freeski athlete Aaron Blunck boosts out of the Main Vein halfpipe at Copper Mountain. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard)

A new addition to the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix’s resort lineup this season is Aspen Snowmass, coming on to host five qualification events Jan. 10-14. Snowmass, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, is home to an award-winning park and pipe set up. The resort previously hosted one of the first halfpipe snowboarding Olympic qualification events and a big air snowboarding exhibition event in 1998.

“Copper and Mammoth have been Grand Prix resort partners for over 10 years and continually go above and beyond to put on these events for the athletes,” said Nick Alexakos, Toyota U.S. Grand Prix Director. “With Snowmass returning to the tour, we have three world-class resorts setting the stage for another exciting Olympic qualifying season.”

In addition to the three Toyota Grand Prix stops, U.S. Ski & Snowboard has partnered with the Dew Tour to host halfpipe and slopestyle skiing and snowboarding Olympic qualifying events as part of the tour’s 10th year at Breckenridge. The Dew Tour also hosted Olympic qualification events prior to the 2014 Games in Sochi.


U.S. Snowboard Team's Red Gerard rides to his first World Cup victory at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard)

“These four host resorts are home to world-renowned parks and pipes best suited to showcase the world’s skiers and riders and our USA Olympic hopefuls,” said Calum Clark, U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Vice President, Events. “The Dew Tour and our partner resorts have not only demonstrated strong support for our elite events but have also committed to producing outstanding venues for all generations of athletes.”

U.S. Ski & Snowboard partners with the International Ski Federation (FIS), Association of Freeskiing Professionals (AFP) and the World Snowboard Tour (WST) for sanctioning of all Grand Prix events including FIS World Cup, WST Elite and AFP platinum level competitions.

The Toyota U.S. Grand Prix continues to produce some of the highest-rated winter action sports broadcasts. U.S. Ski & Snowboard, in partnership with NBC Universal, will once again present over 15 hours of coverage from all the Grand Prix events on NBC and NBC Sports Network. A full TV schedule will be released fall 2017.

QUOTES
Nick Alexakos, Toyota U.S. Grand Prix Director

Copper and Mammoth have been Grand Prix resort partners for over 10 years and continually go above and beyond to put on these events for the athletes. With Snowmass returning to the tour, we have three world class resorts setting the stage for another exciting Olympic qualifying season.

Calum Clark, Vice President, Events, U.S. Ski & Snowboard
These four host resorts are home to world-renowned parks and pipes best suited to showcase the world’s skiers and riders and our USA Olympic hopefuls. The Dew Tour and our partner resorts have not only demonstrated strong support for our elite events but have also committed to producing outstanding venues for all generations of athletes.

Jesse True, Senior Vice President, Copper Mountain Resort
Copper Mountain is thrilled to be a part of the U.S. Grand Prix once again. It’s an honor to host an event where world-class athletes compete in hopes of achieving their Olympic dreams and we look forward to welcoming them.

John Rigney, Vice President, Sales and Events, Aspen Snowmass
We are honored to be hosting this event and these amazing athletes, especially in an Olympic year, in our award-winning parks and pipes at Snowmass during its 50th anniversary season.

Mark Brownlie, Chief Operating Officer, Mammoth Resorts
Mammoth Mountain is proud and honored to continue the tradition of hosting the world’s best athletes in our Unbound Terrain Parks. With all eyes on the final stop of the Grand Prix, we couldn’t be more excited to be a part of these athletes’ Olympic dreams as they are named to the team here at Mammoth.

Adam Cozens, Vice President & General Manager, Dew Tour
The Dew Tour has a proud history of hosting Olympic selection events. We’re thrilled to be hosting the world’s best skiers and snowboarders on Dew Tour’s new and progressive courses. U.S. Ski & Snowboard has been a tremendous partner and we look forward to this December in Breckenridge.
 

2017-18 TOYOTA U.S. GRAND PRIX SCHEDULE
(schedule subject to change)

Copper Mountain, Colorado
Dec: 6: Halfpipe skiing qualification
Dec. 7: Halfpipe snowboarding qualification
Dec. 8: Halfpipe skiing finals; big air snowboarding qualification
Dec. 9 Halfpipe snowboarding finals
Dec. 10: Big air snowboarding finals

Dew Tour - Breckenridge, Colorado
Dec. 15: Slopestyle skiing and halfpipe snowboarding finals
Dec. 16: Halfpipe skiing and slopestyle snowboarding finals

Snowmass, Colorado
Jan. 10: Halfpipe skiing and slopestyle snowboarding qualification
Jan. 11: Slopestyle skiing and halfpipe snowboarding qualification
Jan. 12: Halfpipe skiing and slopestyle snowboarding finals
Jan. 13: Slopestyle skiing and halfpipe snowboarding finals
Jan. 14: Slopestyle skiing qualification and finals

Mammoth Mountain, California
Jan. 17: Halfpipe skiing and slopestyle snowboarding qualifications
Jan. 18: Slopestyle skiing and halfpipe snowboarding qualifications
Jan. 19: Halfpipe skiing and slopestyle snowboarding finals
Jan. 20: Halfpipe snowboarding and slopestyle skiing finals
Jan. 21: Slopestyle skiing qualification and finals 

 


 


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