The Avila side of Mont Saint-Sauveur will be buzzing with activity on Saturday, April 4th, as the 14th edition of the ever popular Shakedown presented by Videotron Mobile gets underway. The prestigious snowboarding competition will bring together close to forty of the world’s top professional slopestyle riders.

 

 

 

This year, the Shakedown, Canada’s most important snowboarding event and a competition much anticipated by athletes, will be taking advantage of the extra space available on the Avila slope side to impress the 15,000 spectators on site. The village will also offer many new activities delivered in a fun atmosphere that promises to make the event a big hit.

 

Among the features, there will be a mini vert ramp by Vans, where professional skaters will perform their impressive tricks. Burton will also be initiating youngsters to snowboarding in its Riglet Park, while parents charm their taste buds at the various food vending trucks on site.

 

“We’re excited about sharing the new venue with fans. A breath of fresh air has swept across our event and we can’t wait for the public to see the course. This 14th Shakedown will be a great transition to our 15th anniversary edition next year,” explained Brendan O’Dowd of Dizzle Entertainment, co-founder and co-organizer with Patryck Bernier of Shakedown presented by Videotron Mobile.

 

With amateur qualifications, the Coors Light Rail Jam, an autograph signing session with pro athletes, half-time for mini-pros and the Shakedown semi-finals and finals, the day will be packed with excitement. Spectators will be able to monitor the progression of the athletes vying for a total of $40,000 – with $20,000 for the top spot at the finals.   

 

Fans eager to see the action can attend the practice runs on Friday, April 3rd, as the amateur and professional athletes get to know the new course. As usual, it will feature a Big Air and multiple rails. This year’s jump has been designed to allow riders to perform the impressive triple cork, should they choose.

 

“The Shakedown is important for Canadian snowboarding, for athletes, amateurs and the industry as a whole. We are very proud of it. We do everything in our power to make it a must-attend event and a huge end-of-season get together for athletes and the public. It’s a big celebration of the sport for fans of all ages,” Patryck Bernier said.

 

Spectators will have the chance to watch the skillful performances of Sébastien Toutant (L’Assomption), four-time winner of the Shakedown and vice-champion of the Big Air at Air+Style of Los Angeles in February, and of Maxence Parrot (Bromont), bronze medallist of the Big Air at the X Games in January. Quebeckers  Charles Reid (Mont Tremblant), Jérémy Cloutier (Blainville), Will Lavigne (Victoriaville), Dillon Ojo (St-Hubert) and Francis Bourgeois (Trois-Rivières), American Kyle Mack and Norwegians Ulrik Badertscher and Kim-Rune Hansen, to name just a few, will also be participating.

 

Dozens of amateur athletes will vie for the three valuable spots at the semi-finals, giving them the chance to move up and compete with the pros. Riders interested in participating in the Shakedown presented by Videotron Mobile can register directly at the Shakedown. Learn more at www.shakedown.ca.

 

Until April 1st, general admission tickets are available for $5. After that date, ticket price will go up to $10. Spectators can also purchase a lift ticket to Avila for only $10 for Saturday, April 4th or a ticket for a seat in the bleachers for only $15. Tickets are on sale at www.shakedown.ca and on site on the day of the event.

 

Schedule of the Shakedown presented by Videotron Mobile

 

Friday, April 3rd, 2015 – PRACTICE RUNS

08:00 – 17:00   Registration, amateur qualifications and invited pros

09:30 – 12:00   Big air / Rail practice for amateur athletes

12:30 – 14:30   Big air / Rail practice for invited professional athletes

15:00 – 16:00   Rail practice, amateurs

16:00 – 17:00   Rail practice, invited pros

 

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 - Shakedown presented by Videotron Mobile

09:00                     Opening of Shakedown village

08:30 – 10:30     Amateur qualifications

10:45                     Announcement of qualifying amateur athletes

11:00 -  12:00     Coors Light Rail Jam Qualification

12:15 – 13:00     Invited pros Rail Jam practice / Announcement of the qualified amateur athletes

13:15 – 14:15     Coors Light Rail Jam semi-final

14:30 – 15:00     Coors Light Rail Jam final

15:15                     Coors Light Rail Jam awards ceremony

15:30 – 16:30     Snowboard Canada autograph signing session with professional athletes

16:30 – 17:00     Mini-pro half-time show (9 years old and under)

17:30 – 19:30     Shakedown presented by Videotron Mobile semi-finals

20:00 – 21:30     Shakedown presented par Videotron Mobile final

21:30 – 22:00     Awards ceremony

21:00                     Shakedown Coors Light Afterparty (18 years and over) – Cafétéria Avila

 

See the action on TV and the Web

The Shakedown presented by Videotron Mobile will be making the leap to your living room. On Thursday, April 9th, 2015 at 8:30 pm, highlights of the event will air on TVA Sports during a special 60-minute show. The shows will subsequently be posted for viewing on Shakedown’s Youtube channel. The Shakedown finals will be broadcast on this channel on Sunday, April 5th.