Telluride, CO – The Visa U.S. Snowboardcross Cup at Telluride is on the calendar for the 2010-11 season Dec. 16-18, marking its second appearance on the LG FIS Snowboard World Cup schedule. Telluride made a “world-class” first impression last season by creating one of the best snowboardcross venues, built by Olympic builder Jeff Ihaksi. Recently international officials paid a visit to Telluride for a final inspection, giving the go-ahead for the event which will welcome back two-time Olympic champ Seth Wescott of Carrabassett Valley, Maine.nThe Telluride stop will include three events: a parallel giant slalom, snowboardcross and team snowboardcross contests.
“Last year Telluride created an enormous impression among the FIS snowboarding community hosting its first ever FIS Snowboard World Cup and we are proud to return this season,” said USSA Vice President, Events Calum Clark. “Telluride’s passion combined with its incredible facilities results in an amazing venue and cornerstone for snowboardcross as we head into another season and onto Sochi.”
In only its second year hosting the snowboardcross World Cup, Telluride has supported U.S. Snowboarding with some of the best early season training in Colorado. U.S. athletes flock to the western state, trying to get the early season edge over other competitors and countries.
“Telluride has been proud to be a part of Seth’s success at the 2010 Vancouver games,” said Telluride Vice President, Resort Operations Elizabeth Howe. “Our entire community felt like they had contributed to his gold medal. Spending time in Telluride makes it is obvious that he takes early season training and World Cup competition very seriously. We really look forward to having him and the entire team back in Telluride this December.”
“I’m really looking forward to Telluride in December, having the World Cup there the last two years has just been awesome,” said Wescott, who is looking to carry momentum from Vancouver into the 2010-11 season. “It’s a great hill and the whole town is just great, they are hugely supportive of the event. I’m fired up and looking forward to get back there in December.”
Snowboardcross qualifications will be held Wednesday, Dec. 15, followed by the men’s and women’s PGS World Cup on Thursday. Snowboardcross finals are set to start on Friday, Dec. 17. The Paul Mitchell Progression Session Snowboardcross Team event will close the venue on Saturday, Dec. 18.