This last season, Canadian freestyle snowboarders received no direct funding from the Canadian Snowboard Federation (CSF). This was in response to their desire to ride where and when they wanted, to take off to shoot a film or product photoshoot, to simply be free.
What they did get was continued indirect support of performance enhancements -- wax technicians, physio, massage therapy, etc. -- at World Cups and team camps.
Despite this limited direct support for the 2007/2008 season Canadian freestyle snowboarders had impressive finishes on the World Cup stage. Lipscomb, 28, ended up winning the final World Cup in Italy and fellow Canadians also had strong showings.
The CSF is hoping that Own the Podium (OTP) will increase 2008/2009 funding from $1.4M to $2M. If OTP increases funding to this level the CSF plans to have an official six-boarder national team.
There's no doubt that owning the podium for freestyle snowboarding will be a challenge. Many European countries have strong riders and the American's could also take the podium.
More on freestyle snowboard sponsorship from the Vancouver Sun.
Showing posts with label Snowboarding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Snowboarding. Show all posts
Monday, April 7, 2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Canadian Snowboard Team Coach Fired
On the eve of the Canadian National Snowboard Championships to be held at Cypress Mountain the well liked Snow-Cross coach has been let go.
Rene Brunner, an Austrian, is already being missed by some of the top riders on the team. Both Maelle Ricker, the current World Champion, and Drew Nielson (2006-07 World Champion) have spoken out about their frustration with the snowboard federation's decision.
The specific reasons for the firing have not been revealed. What we do know is that Brunner still had one year on his current contract. He had been running the SBX team basically as a one-man-show until very recently when an assistant, Tim Milne, was hired with one month left on this years World Cup.
Some talks between Snowboard Canada and influential SBX team members have taken place since the canning. The SBX members want to dialogue about bringing Brunner back. It's not been ruled out.
More from the Vancouver Sun.
Rene Brunner, an Austrian, is already being missed by some of the top riders on the team. Both Maelle Ricker, the current World Champion, and Drew Nielson (2006-07 World Champion) have spoken out about their frustration with the snowboard federation's decision.
The specific reasons for the firing have not been revealed. What we do know is that Brunner still had one year on his current contract. He had been running the SBX team basically as a one-man-show until very recently when an assistant, Tim Milne, was hired with one month left on this years World Cup.
Some talks between Snowboard Canada and influential SBX team members have taken place since the canning. The SBX members want to dialogue about bringing Brunner back. It's not been ruled out.
More from the Vancouver Sun.
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