US Snowboarding Grand Prix showcases the world’s best snowboarders at copper, Dec. 10-12
Copper Mountain, CO…December 9, 2009…The decks of Copper Mountain's 22-foot Main Vein Superpipe are buzzing with eager athletes ready to show off their new tricks as Copper welcomes the world's best riders to compete for a chance at Olympic glory during the U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix, Dec. 10-12.
The competition is the first stop of the five competition series and will feature Olympic champions Shaun White (Carlsbad, CA), Kelly Clark (Mt. Snow, VT) and Hannah Teter (Belmont, VT), Olympic medalists Gretchen Bleiler (Aspen, CO), JJ Thomas (Golden, CO) and Danny Kass (Portland, OR), along with snowboarding's many elite, as each vies for a spot on the 2010 Olympic halfpipe team. Also in the mix are X Games silver medalist Kevin Pearce (Norwich, VT), Olympian Elena Hight (South Lake Tahoe, CA) and Colorado native, and Copper’s own, Clair Bidez (Minturn, CO).
Competition Schedule (subject to change)
Thurs., Dec. 10
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Registration Copper Conference Center
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Media Room Open Copper Conference Center
9 - 10:30 a.m. Women’s HP Practice Main Vein Superpipe
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Women’s Heat #1 Qual. Main Vein Superpipe
11:30 - 11:45 a.m. Women’s Heat #2 Practice Main Vein Superpipe
11:45 - 12:45 p.m. Women’s Heat #2 Qual. Main Vein Superpipe
1 – 3 p.m. Men’s HP Practice Main Vein Superpipe
Fri., Dec. 11
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Registration Copper Conference Center
8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Media Room Open Copper Conference Center
8:30 - 8:55 a.m. Men Heat #1 Practice Main Vein Superpipe
9 - 10:30 a.m. Men Heat #1 Qualifiers Main Vein Superpipe
10:30 - 10:55 a.m. Men Heat #2 Practice Main Vein Superpipe
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Men Heat #2 Qualifiers Main Vein Superpipe
12:30 - 12:55 p.m. Men Heat #3 Practice Main Vein Superpipe
1 - 2:30 p.m. Men Heat #3 Qualifiers Main Vein Superpipe
6 – 8 p.m. Exhibition Practice Lower Bouncer
Sat., Dec. 12
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Registration Copper Conference Center
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Media Room Open Copper Conference Center
10 - 10:50 a.m. HP Finals Practice Main Vein Superpipe
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Men’s/Women’s HP Finals Main Vein Superpipe
Awards immediately following
1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Xbox Junior Jam Copper Plaza
6:30 – 7 p.m. Exhibition practice Lower Bouncer
7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Paul Mitchell Progression Session Nighttime Exhibition
Awards immediately following
8:45 p.m. Free live music by Salem Lower Bouncer
Both the superpipe finals and the nighttime Paul Mitchell Progression Sessions are taking place on Sat., Dec. 12. The nighttime exhibit, starting at 7 p.m., is a unique event for top pros and spectators consisting of a butter pad, to cliff drop that will allow athletes plenty of air time. Adding to the night will be the musical stylings of Salem, blending jazz, funk, R&B, hip-hop, spoken word and Afro-Cuban beats. The Paul Mitchell Progression Sessions, located right near the base area, will provide a very entertaining and intimate experience for spectators.