Whistler (BC), Canada (Wednesday, February 22, 2006) - Registration for the Sapient-Showcase Showdown at British Columbia's Whistler Blackcomb ski and snowboard resort is filling fast as Friday, the first day of the event, draws near. The format is dubbed “Pipestyle” and C$25,000 in cash prizing from Sapient and over C$15,000 in prizing from other event sponsors is on the line.

Whistler Blackcomb locals including Dionne Delasalle, David Aubry, Justin Lamoureux, and Marie-France Roy will battle it out with riders from around the world including Chris Coulter, Kurt Wastell, Anthony Leffelaar and Shayne Pospisil.

Men’s
1st Place $10,000
2nd Place $4,000
3rd Place $2,000
4th Place $1,000
5th Place $500

Women’s
1st Place $5,000
2nd Place $2,000
3rd Place $1,000

Sapient is providing C$25,000 in cash prizing and additional event sponsors Anon, RED, Option, Vans, Salomon-Bonfire and 32 are contributing over C$15,000 in prizing. Registration for the event is now open and there are 75 spots available to athletes.

EVENT SCHEDULE
The Sapient Showcase Showdown is in the Super Night Pipe at Base II. Spectators can upload via the Blackcomb Gondola for free.

Friday February 24
Registration
1-2pm at “18 Below” at Base II on Blackcomb Mountain

Qualifying
Heats 1-4: 4:00 to 8:30pm

Saturday February 25
Semi Qualifying
Heats 1-3: 4:00 to 7:00pm

Finals
Warm-up: 7:15-7:25pm
Finals: 7:30 to 8:30pm
Awards ceremony immediately following competition.

Wrap-up Party at Maxx Fish 9:30pm with live band Fall of Summer.

“Pipestyle” is a slopestyle contest in the Super Night Pipe that will incorporate tombstones, rails, boxes and spines into Whistler Blackcomb’s Super Night Pipe, creating a whole new style of halfpipe competition.

Registration will be taken over the phone at 1-800-766-0449 or in person at Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations.

In other events this weekend at Whistler Blackcomb, on Saturday, Feb. 25 Bell presents a free concert featuring Simple Plan starting at 3 p.m. in Village Square and hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos. On Sunday, Feb. 26., visitors can experience Canada's passion for the national game of hockey as rabid fans gather at 5:00 a.m. in the Village Square to watch the Gold Medal Game for the Men's Hockey on the giant screen. The Torino 2006 Winter Games Closing Ceremony will also be shown in Village Square on the big screen. The flag hand-over celebration gets underway at 10:45 a.m.