Some of the best ski racers in North America will battle as Canada takes on the United States in a unique head-to-head race format at the Pontiac GMC Nations Cup taking place Feb. 1 at Nakiska, AB at 3 p.m.

This dual slalom format event will see eight Canadian skiers take on eight American skiers, each selected from the national teams participating in the upcoming Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup races.

The event will have a Canadian paired with an American, with each pairing doing two slalom runs. The racer with the best overall time will score points for their nation and the nation with the most points at the end of the event is declared the winner with $5000 in prize money up for grabs.

“It’s a true pleasure to support the Pontiac GMC Nations Cup dual slalom, a unique event that encourages the exciting rivalry between the Canadian and US ski teams,” said Fred Lautenschalger, Manager of Promotions & Sponsorships with General Motors of Canada.  “Come check out the event, wave your country’s flag, and support alpine’s rising stars.”

The skiers are in Nakiska for a technical race as part of the Northwest Funds Coupe Nor-Am Cup series. The event, which will include two giant slalom and slalom races each for both men and ladies over the course of six days, gets underway Saturday with a ladies GS.

ABOUT THE COUPE PONTIAC GMC CUP
The Coupe Pontiac GMC Cup, which is celebrating 40 years of providing amateur ski racers in Canada with essential competitive experience in 2008/09, is a developmental ski racing program sanctioned by Alpine Canada Alpin and the International Ski Federation (FIS). The series includes 39 races in three provinces this season culminating with the Coupe Pontiac GMC Canadian Championships from March 19 to March 25 in Le Massif and Mont Sainte-Anne, QC. For more information, click on the official Coupe Pontiac GMC Cup website.