WHISTLER, BC – April, 11, 2017 - The Canadian Junior Freestyle Championships came to a close yesterday at the World Ski & Snowboard Festival in the Nintendo Terrain Park at Whistler Blackcomb. Whistler local Luke Smart, won 1st  place overall in the boy's division of the Championship placing high in all three disciplines, Slopestyle (1st),  Big Air (2nd), and Halfpipe (4th). Elena Ann Paskevich from Alberta, took 1st place on the podium for overall performance after placing 1st in Slopestyle, Big Air and Halfpipe.

Luke Smart finished his season strong at his 5th and final year at the Canadian Junior Championships with the overall win. This year, he has made a number of personal bests at Noram Events placing 3rd in Moonstone and 5th in Calgary, along with multiple top 10's at Canadian Open events.  

Overall titles are awarded to athletes who had the best results across all age groups and all 3 events.

Other winners crowned in individual events (U14, U16 and U18) include Olivia Asselin (QC), Skyke Clarke (BC), Noah Porter MacLennan, (ON) and Phil Langevin (QC) in Slopestyle.

Big Air champions include Olivia Asselin, (QC), Josephine Howell (BC), Noah Porter MacLennan, (ON), Phil Langevin (QC) and Antoine Plamondon, (QC).

Halfpipe Champions were Chase Capicik, BC, Skye Clarke, BC, Noah Porter MacLennan, (ON), Andrew Longino (AB) and Sascha Pedenko, (AB).

Snow conditions were at their prime and the level of competition was fierce during the Championships, as athletes battled it out for the podium. Crowds were stoked to witness these young athletes give it their all, which served as a great reminder to spectators just how much fun Freestyle skiing events are to watch.

The esteemed judging panel included Head Judge James Mclauchlin, Mike Shaw, Bryce Barker, Colin Sutherland, Myles Ricketts and Tyler Spence.

6 Provinces attended the event with a grand total of 80 athletes ages between 12 -17.

Complete results for the Canadian Junior Freestyle Championships can be found at http://wssf.com/Canadian-Junior-Freestyle-National-Championships. 

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The World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF) is produced by Watermark Communications, a Whistler‐based event production & communications company, and presented in partnership with Tourism Whistler and Whistler Blackcomb. Having grown over 22 years into the largest annual celebration of snow sports and music in North America, WSSF is a 10 day and night showcase of some of the best of mountain culture, music, arts and snow sports. Featuring the largest annual free outdoor concert series in Canada, ski and snowboarding competitions, photography and film showcases, and spring skiing at Whistler Blackcomb, the World Ski & Snowboard Festival is the poster child for the ultimate ski and snowboard festival experience. In blazing the way for the youth of tomorrow, the World Ski & Snowboard Festival embodies the mantra: 'Party in April. Sleep in May.'

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