AVON, CO (2019) – Beaver Creek, Colorado hosts the fastest pro ski racers for the first race of 2019 World Pro Ski Tour season, February 1-2, 2019.

This is ski racing at its best; duel format head-to-head – not against the clock, with dead-horse start gates, identical race courses, and two (2) pro jumps over 5 1⁄2 foot high make the event exciting and fast paced. The steep course was held on lower Bear Trap, with warm temperatures and blue Colorado skies as the racers prepared to charge for the top podium spot.

In its third season, the Pro Tours opener excited the spectators as Garrett Driller (22) out of Montana and former US Ski team member took the #1 place finish and topped the podium for his 1st World Pro Ski Tour victory. Garrett Driller commented, “Coming to the World Pro Ski Tour as the youngest racer and rookie, walking away with a victory, and racing an awesome event with next level Olympic and World Cup guys, keeps me stoked to race in future tours. The WPST is another outlet for ski racers to come to and it revives the wallet for the rest of the season.”

Philip Brown (27) from Toronto, Ontario won the Tito’s speed time award for fastest time in the qualifier on Friday, with a time of 19.732. Taylor Shiffrin (26), brother of USA’s Mikaela, raced his first WPST run against former Olympian Nolan Kasper (29) but did not advance. Alex Leveer (22), a Vail local and favorite, finished 3rd overall. Michael Ankeny (28) from Minnesota broke his Pro Tour run of consistent 3rd place finishes to a 4th this weekend.

Tucker Marshall of Redneck Racing Team and 3rd year World Pro Ski Tour racer says, “The World Pro Ski Tour is such an awesome experience for anyone passionate about the sport. Whether you are a full time athlete or a weekend warrior, you get the opportunity to race head to head, have a great time, and possibly win some serious cash with the big prize purse.”

We want to thank our sponsors including; Tito’s Vodka, The Red Lion Bar and Restaurant, RXBar, Leki, Fisch, Orbit Wear (to name a few), the WPST fans and volunteers. A special thanks goes out to Beaver Creek Resort and the Beaver Creek race crew for all of their support and their outstanding hospitality. Their expertise and eye for detail made this event an amazing venue.

The Second Stop on the tour is slated for next weekend at Waterville Valley, NH for The White Mountain Dual Challenge;

Schedule of Events
FRIDAY – February 8, 2019
• 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Registration will be on the second floor of the Base Lodge in the Sun room
• 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Racer Meeting (same room as Racer registration)

• 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Tito’s and Meet and Greet Party at La Hacienda

SATURDAY – February 9, 2019
• 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – VIP Sponsor Check-in at the Base Lodge
• 10:00 a.m. – Inspection and Start Testing begins (athletes are allowed to test start and go on wrong side of first gate)
• 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Tito’s Mountain Activation
• 12:00 p.m. – Qualification start 1st run
• 1:00 p.m. – Qualification start 2nd run
• 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Skiing with Sponsors – Meet in finish area.
• 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Tito’s après ski party at T-Bars (next to Base Lodge)
• 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. – BBTS Fundraiser – Winter Fiesta La Hacienda Restaurant (purchase tickets to attend)
• 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Tito’s After Dark at Mulligan’s

SUNDAY – February 10, 2019
• 8:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m. – VIP Sponsor Check-in at the Base Lodge
• 9:30 a.m. – 10:300 a.m. – Course Inspection
• 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Dual Super Slalom event
• Finish Area Race Awards Ceremony Top 4 to follow immediately after the race
• 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Tito’s Mountain Activation

2019 WORLD PRO SKI TOUR SCHEDULE
Beaver Creek, CO – Jan 31 – Feb 2, 2019
Waterville Valley, NH – Feb 7 – 9, 2019
Steamboat Springs, CO – Feb 28 – Mar 2, 2019
Buck Hill, MN – Mar 14 – 16, 2019 (*tentative)
Sunday River, ME – Mar 28 – 30, 2019