Freestyle Canada – Bokwang, Korea, February 15, 2017 – This week, half-pipe athletes get their turn to undergo the test event for the Olympic Games. Together in Phoenix Park, Bokwang, they are the last group of Freestyle Canada competitors to familiarize themselves with the venue and the facilities ahead of the 2018 Olympic Games.
 
The skiers had a bit of bad luck at the last World Cup in Mammoth Mountain when the finals were cancelled due to poor weather. No doubt they are pleased to be back in the competition at a venue where the weather is more clement and conducive to a half-pipe event. The team boasts four veterans of the Sochi Games, including silver medallist Mike Riddle. Noah Bowman, Keltie Hansen and Roz Groenewoud also competed in the last winter Games, their first.
 
Olympic qualification process
The World Cup stop in Bokwang is particularly important for half-pipe athletes. The event is one of four competitions that grant a limited number of athletes a provisional spot to the COC, the three others being the Aspen X Games, the Tignes World Cup and the World Championships in Sierra Nevada in March.
 
The detailed Bokwang World Cup schedule is available here. Qualifications are scheduled on February 16, and finals on February 18.
 
The following athletes are scheduled to compete:
 
Half-pipe
 
Men : Mike Riddle (Sherwood Park, AB), Noah Bowman (Calgary, AB), Simon d’Artois (Whistler, BC), Kristopher Atkinson (Calgary, AB), Brendan Mackay (Calgary, AB)
 
Ladies : Cassie Sharpe (Comox, BC), Roz Groenewoud (Calgary, AB), Keltie Hansen (Edmonton, AB), Megan Warrener (Sylvan Lake, AB)

Upcoming Events (February)

• FIS Freestyle World Cup – February 18-19 – Tazawako – moguls (single and duals)
• FIS Freestyle World Cup – February 25 – Minsk – aerials
• FIS Freestyle World Cup – February 25-26 – Thaiwoo – moguls (single and duals)

For more information and media inquiries please contact: 

Dominique Ladouceur, Manager, Athlete Relations
Cell: 514.576.2379
Email: dominique@freestylecanada.ski
Freestyle Canada is the governing body in Canada for the sport of Freestyle Skiing. With the support of its valued corporate sponsors along with the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee and Own the Podium, FC develops Olympic and world champions in all disciplines of the sport. For more information about FC, please visit www.freestylecanada.ski