Penticton (BC), Canada – Aspiring Olympic mogul skiers from across Canada have convened at Apex Mountain Resort for the Canada Post Freestyle Frenzy Canadian Selection Event that gets underway today.

This is the second year the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association has held the talent identification camp and competitions for its National C Team and provincial-level mogul athletes. According to CFSA High Performance Program Director David Mirota, the Canadian Selections are designed to evaluate Canadian mogul athletes and to use that data to “to track and identify those with national team potential; and, to ensure that identified athletes are given the opportunities necessary to facilitate their growth in the sport.”

By bringing together most of the top mogul skiers in the country, CFSA National Team coaches use the Canadian Selections as an opportunity to get a reading of who’s out there skiing bumps across the country. “Raw talent and learned skill are definitely part of what we’re looking for,” said Mirota. “But physical factors are only part of the equation on the path to becoming an Olympic or World Champion. We also look at mental performance indicators too, like the ability to perform on demand and stress management techniques.”

With two days of competition this Saturday and Sunday, each participant will have a minimum of four competition runs to impress CFSA coaches and evaluators.

CFSA staff will also provide each province with detailed data about their athletes that will help streamline and improve mogul skiing offerings across the country for all levels of skiers. The idea is that when an athlete makes it to the National Team, she or he will bring a standard base-level of skills and technique.

Mirota said this practice will ensure that Canada retains its dominance in mogul skiing and continues to produce champions the likes of Jean-Luc Brassard, Jenn Heil and Alex Bilodeau.

The Canadian Selections is being hosted by the Apex Freestyle Ski Club. The public is welcome to attend and watch some of the best mogul skiers in the country compete this weekend.