"The list of invited skiers is a star-studded line-up of freeskiing's finest
with a great mixture of veterans and new comers,” said Lindsay O’Brien,
athlete manager, W1. “We are incredibly excited to see how the contests will
play out."


Athletes to watch from this year’s line-up include: Charles Gagnier (1st
2005 X-Games and US Open Slopestyle, 3rd 2005 Gravity Games Slopestyle, 3rd
2004 World Skiing Invitational); Jon Olsson (1st 2004 World Skiing
Invitational Big Air, 3rd 2005 X-Games and US Open Slopestyle, 1st 2005
World Superpipe Championship, 3rd 2005 X-Games Superpipe); TJ Schiller (1st
2005 Gravity Games Slopestyle, 3rd 2004 World Skiing Invitational Big Air);
CR Johnson (4th 2005 X-Games Superpipe); and Sarah Burke (2nd 2005 US Open
Slopestyle, 1st 2005 US Open Superpipe, 2nd 2005 X-Games Superpipe, 2nd 2004
WSI Superpipe).



Rising stars in the field include Corey Vanular and Sean Field, who both had
impressive results this season. Tanner Hall (2 broken heels) and Simon
Dumont (broken pelvis), who dominated the podium at so many contests this
season, will not be competing due to recent injuries.



SLOPESTYLE INVITATION LIST - MEN

#
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
SPONSORS

1
BIBBY
Josh
W/B, Line Skis, Silver Cartel, Reb Helmets, Anon Goggles, Level Gloves

2
CARLSON
Sammy
Salomon

3
DOLEZEL
Tom
Atomic, Electric, NFA Clothing, Blue Mtn., Sporting Life

4
FUJAS
Pep
K2

5
GAGNIER
Charles
Salomon, Spy, Sublux, D-Structure

6
HATVEIT
Andreas
Nike, ACG, Rossignol

7
JOHNSON
CR
Salomon

8
OLENICK
Peter
Smith, Salomon, Obermeyer, Dakine, Aspen/Snowmass, Lafalien

9
OLSSON
Jon
Oakley, Head, Red Bull

10
RAINVILLE
Tanner
Dynastar

11
SCHILLER
TJ
Armada, Orage

12
WINDSTEDT
Henrik
Rossignol, Red Bull, Peak Performance

13
JAPAN’S CANADA CUP WINNER - TBD


The remaining spots in the final will be filled by the top 7 from the
Slopestyle Qualifier



SLOPESTYLE INVITATION LIST - WOMEN

#
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
SPONSORS

1
BATTERSBY
Ashley


2
BURKE
Sarah
Helly Hansen

3
ELIASSEN
Grete


4
FAIVRE
Virginie
Rossignol, O’Neill, Oakley, 640JibCulture

5
FLETCHER
Beth


6
HUDAK
Jen
Salomon, Scott USA, Wize Design, Okemo Mtn. D-Structure

7
LA HART
Heather


8
LESKINEN
Kristi
Rossignol, Oakley, Red Bull, Dakine, Giro, Mammoth

9
SOLBERG
Lisa
Obermeyer

10
SUNDBERG
Jamie
Salomon, North Face, Copper Mtn., Crash Pads




SUPERPIPE INVITATION LIST - MEN

#
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
SPONSORS

1
BIBBY
Josh
W/B, Line Skis, Silver Cartel, Reb Helmets, Anon Goggles, Level Gloves

2
FIELD
Sean


3
FUJAS
Pep
K2

4
GAGNIER
Charles
Salomon, Spy, Sublux, D-Structure

5
HATVEIT
Andreas
Nike, ACG, Rossignol

6
HIBBERT
Scott
DNA, Volkl, Tecnica

7
JOHNSON
CR
Salomon

8
KUGENER
Arnaud
Rossignol, Spy, Split

9
MARION
Dan
Dynastar

10
OLENICK
Peter
Smith, Salomon, Obermeyer, Dakine, Aspen/Snowmass, Lafalien

11
OLSSON
Jon
Oakley, Head, Red Bull

12
SCHILLER
TJ
Armada, Orage

13
SPRIGGS
John
K2, Oakley, Vail Resorts, Buzz’s Boards Jiberish

14
SYMMS
John
Salomon, Orage, Scott, Symms Fruit Ranch

15
THOMAS
Stefan
K2, Spy

16
TUFFELMIRE
Greg
Volkl, Tecnica, O’Neill, Smith

17
TURPIN
Chris
K2

18
UENO
Yuta
Salomon

19
VANULAR
Corey
Spy

20
WOODS
Andrew
DNA, Electric, Dynastar, Lange, Level


The remaining spots in the final will be filled by the top 10 from the
Superpipe Qualifier



SUPERPIPE INVITATION LIST - WOMEN
#
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
SPONSORS

1
BURKE
Sarah
Helly Hansen

2
ELIASSEN
Grete


3
FAIVRE
Virginie
Rossignol, O’Neill, Oakley, 604 Jib Culture

4
HUDAK
Jen
Salomon, Scott USA, Wize Design, Okemo Mountain, D-Structure

5
LESKINEN
Kristi
Rossignol, Oakley, Red Bull, Dakine, Giro, Mammoth

6
MARTINOD
Marie
Dynastar, Look, Lange, Spy, Oxbow, La Plagne, Red Bull

7
SUNDBERG
Jamie
Salomon, North Face, Copper Mtn., Crash Pads


The remaining spots in the final will be filled by the top 3 from the
Superpipe Qualifier



The World Skiing Invitational is presented by Salomon, Esquire, Freeskier
Magazine and Freeskier.com. Qualifier entry lists are posted at
www.whistler2005.com/WSI.



The TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival, Whistler’s event of the year, is
produced by W1 – Whistler’s largest sport and entertainment marketing
company. Experience the synergy of legendary music, arts, and sports events,
featuring the World Snowboarding Invitational, the World Skiing
Invitational, the DKNY Jeans Outdoor Concert Series and the Kokanee Freeride
Club Concert Series, as well as the Pro Photographer Showdown and Filmmaker
Showdown. New additions to the line-up this year include the Smirnoff
Experience and Brave Art. For more information, visit www.whistler2005.com.



-30-



Media Notes: The attached low-resolution photo is available for editorial
use. Photo Credit – Steve Li.



Media accreditation request forms are available at whistler2005.com/media.
Please note the deadline for accreditation is March 31, 2005.



Contact:

Jen Riley

Public Relations Manager

W1 Inc. – Producers of the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival

Tel.: 604.938.3399 ext. 21

jriley@w1.ca