Squamish braces for Pacific Pilsner Kiteboard Championships
The Squamish Windsports Society is making final preparations for the long weekend’s competition and festivities surrounding the Pacific Pilsner 2012 West Coast Open and Canadian Kiteboarding National Championships. The championships are the first event in the long and fiercely competitive process to determine who will represent Canada in the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro where kiteboarding will make its official debut as an Olympic sport.
The race events will be held August 4, 5 and 6, 2012 at the Windsports spit in Squamish, BC, Canada. Pacific Pilsner, from Pacific Western Brewery, is the title sponsor again this year – and organizers and competitors are thrilled for their second year of support.
“We have a fantastic slate of competitors this year,” said Mark Leng, one of two Race Directors for this year’s competition. “We have 35 riders registered; 20 of whom are from out of town and travelling here especially for our event.”
“We’ve got some big international names coming to Squamish spit to compete for the West Coast Open title, including Johnny Heineken, Bryan Lake and Adam Koch all joining us from San Francisco). The top Canadian racers include Adam Vance (of Seattle and
Vancouver) and Jessica Sickinger of Toronto will be putting it all on the line,” said Don Campbell, who is also a Race Director.
“As The Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada, the District of Squamish welcomes these talented athletes,’ said Squamish Mayor Rob Kirkham. “We’re proud to be able to offer an ideal location and outstanding services to support the West Coast Open and Canadian Kiteboarding National Championships.”
The Canadian standings from this exciting and important event will determine the Canadian Kiteboarding Association course racing rankings and titles for 2012 which will ultimately feed into the selection of representatives at the 2016 Summer Olympic
Games.
Course racing is scheduled to run all three days of the BC Day long weekend and spectators are encouraged to join in the fun and excitement at the spit, with music and a DJ to keep them entertained, along with a Pacific Pilsner beer garden in the best spot to watch the racers as well as the local free riders.
Schedule
Saturday, August 4 & Sunday, August 5
Noon to 5 p.m. Course Racing at the Spit
Monday, August 6
Noon to 4 p.m. Course Racing at the Spit
6 p.m. Awards Ceremony at the Spit
Further information is available on the Squamish Windsports Society events website.
