Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports and the Canadian Paralympic Committee to showcase Winter Sports
B.C.’s top disabled athletes will join aspiring local skiers for a day of ski-racing and sledge hockey.
Vancouver, B.C. - January 8, 2008 - Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports (VASS) is pleased to announce that it has partnered with the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) and Grouse Mountain to showcase B.C.’s local and provincial disabled skiers in a first-of-its-kind event in Vancouver.
The VASS Grouse Mountain Corporate Cup, on February 28th, will match corporate teams with a high performance skier with a disability for a day of ski racing. For VASS’ ski racers and corporate participants, the event will provide the opportunity to ski alongside some of B.C.’s top disabled skiers, past and aspiring paralympians. Former members of the Canadian able-bodied Alpine Ski Team will also be on hand to provide ski-racing tips and cheer on their compatriots. .
“VASS is excited to have the opportunity to put on this event and share the inspiration of adaptive skiing with a wide audience.” said Anne Bethune, President of VASS. “The participating skiers have triumphed over a wide range of disabilities, and are an inspiration to us all. This is a great opportunity for us to celebrate their achievements and support the programs contributing to their development.”
The event will also include demonstrations by the B.C. Eagles Sledge Hockey Team. Attendees will have the rare opportunity to join the team on the ice and try the popular fast-paced sport in true Canadian fashion on Grouse Mountain’s outdoor skating pond.
“The Canadian Paralympic Committee is dependent on grassroots programs such as the VASS adaptive ski racing program to identify and nurture young athletes,” said Brian MacPherson, Chief Operating Officer for the Canadian Paralympic Committee. “Disabled ski racing and sledge hockey are breath-taking sports. The CPC is very pleased to be supporting VASS to introduce these paralympic winter sports for a wide audience in Vancouver to enjoy.”
The event will take place at Grouse Mountain, a supporter of VASS for more than 35 years.
“Our entire team at Grouse Mountain takes great pride in supporting the amazing people with disabilities that have taken up and succeeded at such a high level in the sport of skiing. They are an inspiration to all of us. We are pleased to be partnering with VASS and the CPC for this event and invite Vancouver businesses to share our experience. These athletes and the supporters from VASS are a tribute to our community,” said Stuart McLaughlin, President, Grouse Mountain Resorts.
VASS has partnered with the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Grouse Mountain Resorts to present the VASS Grouse Mountain Corporate Cup, also supported by the Disabled Ski Association of BC (DSABC) and the Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club.
The VASS Grouse Mountain Corporate Cup is a volunteer driven event and will take place at Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver on Thursday, February 28, 2008. It is expected to attract leaders from business and the community. All proceeds from the event will go directly to VASS to expand opportunities for all persons with a disability to enjoy snow sports. For further information about the event, sponsorship opportunities and to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.vass.ca/.
About VASS
Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports (VASS) is a registered non-profit society. Since 1974 VASS has been offering skiing and snowboarding programs for persons with a disability on the local mountains in Vancouver. VASS makes mountain experiences accessible to all by welcoming students of all ages, and from beginner to advanced levels. VASS is operated by a dedicated group of volunteers which includes an active Board of Directors, program coordinators, instructors and administrators. Instructors are trained to use the adaptive equipment and specialized teaching techniques to maximize a person’s independence on the snow. They have all successfully completed the Canadian Association of Disabled Skiing (CADS) instructor certification, which utilizes the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance certification methodology. VASS is funded by corporate sponsorship, grants and private donations and fundraising initiatives.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Anna Parisi
Optimum Public Relations
Tel: 604 647 6229
Cell: 604 828 2875
Email: anna.parisi@cossette.com
