Rossland (BC), Canada (Monday, January 20, 2003) - Once again Mt. Roberts lived up to its reputation as a tremendously challenging venue for the 2003 Molson Canadian Freeskiing Challenge. Just outside the ski area boundary of Red Mountain, Mt. Roberts serves up the steep, challenging terrain necessary to showcase big mountain freeskiing talent.

Today's final runs saw 20 men and 6 women competing for their share of C$15,000 in prize money. Pierre-Yves Leblanc held the lead after a strong first run yesterday, but a fall in his final run today left first place up for grabs. As hard as the athletes tried to conquer the mountain, Mt. Roberts proved to be a challenge for even the best freeskiers in the world. It was consistency that proved to be the winning combination for Geoff Small of New Zealand who took the first place trophy and C$5000 cash. In second was Eric Schmitz of Park City, UT who dazzled the crowds with his signature crotch grabs.

Former local Moss Patterson provided the crowd with the best skiing of the day. His aggressive line with his signature back flip near the finish catapulted him from eleventh to third place. Dana Flahr of Whistler, BC grabbed fourth place overall after winning the opening qualifier on Thursday and finishing sixth yesterday. Guerlain Chicherit of Tignes, France missed the podium with a fifth place finish. Perhaps the best sign of the high caliber of competition is the fact that only 0.4 points separated the 3rd and 5th place finishers.

On the women's side, Lynsey Dyer of Big Sky, MT moved from her fourth place standing yesterday to clinch the top women's spot, bettering second finisher Marja Persson of Are, Sweden. Lynsey showed great control and creativity as she skied her way to C$3000 in prize money. Kim McKnight repeated a solid performance today to hold onto third place.

Overall, this year's Molson Canadian Freeskiing Challenge at Red Mountain, BC was a huge success. "We couldn't have ordered better weather or better skiing. Everything really came together to make for an outstanding event," said Jim Greene, Red Mountain's General Manager.