The 11th annual Sapient-Showcase Showdown is set to hit Whistler Blackcomb from February 29 to March 1, 2008.

The contest has a unique ‘Pipestyle’ format and new sponsors and producers.

The concept came from the brain of Zoltan Katchanoski, Westbeach store manager and Chief of Course for the event. The unique “Pipestyle” format has been in place for three years and includes hips, boxes and rails built into the Superpipe walls.

Totalling $50,000, this year’s prize purse includes $25,000 in cold hard cash as well as prizes from event sponsors Sapient, Showcase Snowboards, Bakoda, R.E.D., Anon, Bonfire, Vans, Dakine, Volcom, and Nixon.  Kokanee has also come on board with the addition of the Kokanee Beer Garden, located at the base of the Superpipe.

The 11th Annual Sapient-Showcase Showdown is proud to support Zero Ceiling, an unbiased charitable society that offers innovative snowboarding programs to at-risk youth and street youth from across British Columbia. Showcase Snowboards is donating 20 snowboards to be raffled off with all proceeds going to Zero Ceiling.

“I’m really proud that we’ve changed so many youth through snowboarding and mountain culture. Celebrating our 10th anniversary with the Showdown is an absolutely perfect match,” says Chris Winter, founder of Zero Ceiling.

Men’s and Women’s qualifying runs takes place from 4:30 – 8:30 on Friday evening. Semi Qualifiers for men and women run from 3:30pm – 7pm on Saturday with the finals taking place at 7:30 that evening.

Athletes can register in person at any Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations desk.  Registration is $100 +GST per rider and is open to 50 men and 20 women.   Registration and bib pick up are at 18Below between 1 - 2:30pm on Friday February 29. 

Open training is between 2:30 and 4pm followed by a riders meeting at 4:15pm at the bottom of the pipe.  Bib pick-up for qualified rides is between 1pm and 2pm Saturday March 1, followed by training between 1pm and 3pm. Semi Finals run between 3:30 pm and 7pm with the finals taking place at 7:30pm. Helmets and bibs are mandatory for all runs including practice.