Cline and Hayer take top titles
at Saab Salomon Crossmax International Series in Whistler, April
17

Stanley Hayer, first-time skiercross competitor and
2002 Olympian in Downhill and Slalom, was crowned king of the Skiercross
on the steep and windy Whistler course. Weather conditions challenged
the skiers who were faced with temperamental spring conditions -snow,
hail, flat light, fog and some periods of sun. Hayer, a well-established
ski racer, advanced over world-class competitors including Lars
Lewen (Sweden) who came second and Ryan McCullough (USA), who came
in third. Lewen, who started the day as the race favorite was unable
to fight off Hayer's challenge. Despite coming second place, Lewen
- the winner of the 2003 X Games in Aspen earlier this year - still
managed to clinch the Saab Salomon Crossmax International Series
title. The Whistler event is the North American Final and the 4th
and final stop of the 2003 Saab Salomon Crossmax International Series.
The other three tour stops were held in Switzerland, Sweden and
Spain.

In the women's division, Canada's top female skiercross
athletes took out the top three placings. While Karin Huttary (Austria)
came in fourth, she won the overall title for the 2003 Saab Salomon
Crossmax International Series.

Defending her title, Aleisha Cline (1st at 2003 X-Games)
slid ahead of fellow Canadians Anik Demers (2nd placing) and Ashleigh
McIvor (3rd placing), as well as Huttary, as they wound their way
through the course of rollers, jumps, cork screws, double pumps
and offsets. "The competition was awesome, this is one of the
races I'm most excited about," Cline said.

Crossmax event director for the Whistler event Erik
Kalacis said the women's final heat was a stacked one. "Cline just
keeps on winning skiercross events and is virtually unstoppable."

A total of 124 athletes competed in the pro and amateur
divisions for this Whistler event. In the amateur races, there was
a field of 76 athletes competing in 6 categories (18+, 14-17 and
13 & under, men and women), with almost all divisions full. "We
had an overwhelming response and it was great to see our future
pro athletes racing so well already." Kalacis said having the amateur
and pros events on the same day provided inspiration for the younger
competitors. "Just by virtue of having them race on the same day
inspired these kids to step it up and ski harder and faster."

The Saab Salomon Crossmax Series Whistler event is
managed and hosted by MASEV in partnership with Whistler Blackcomb,
the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival and the Canadian Freestyle
Ski Association.

For media inquiries:

Regina Titelius

Media Relations Manager

W1 - Producers of TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival

Rtitelius@w1.ca

Ph: 604-938-6366

For Crossmax event and athlete information:

Tania Lurie

Athlete & Event Coordinator

MASEV

Tania@masev.com

Ph: 604-874-2499 ext 230