TORONTO, Ontario — Members of the men's and women's Canadian Alpine Ski Teams (CAST) will have additional incentive during the 2001-2002 championship season. General Motors of Canada is offering a year's free use of a Pontiac or GMC vehicle to any athlete who achieves a top ten world ranking, a World Cup win or an Olympic or World Championship medal.
The announcement was made today at a media conference held by Alpine Canada Alpin to provide details of the 2001-2002 CAST team, the 2002 Winter Olympics, the World Cup Championship and to help launch the 2002 season for the Pontiac GMC Cup. The series opens in Alberta at Banff Norquay in January and closes in March with nine days of racing and celebration at Whistler-Blackcomb in British Columbia.
Tom Laurie, promotions manager, marketing, at GM of Canada, said that, "As our relationship with Alpine Canada Alpin continues to grow we wanted to offer a tangible and meaningful indication of our support for those competing in this demanding sport. Skiers who qualify under the terms of the incentive agreement will be able to choose any one of our Pontiacs or GMC vehicles for use for a twelve month period."
He said that, "They can choose from Pontiac Bonneville, Grand Prix, Firebird, Grand Am and Sunfire passenger cars, Montana minivans or the world's first sport recreation vehicle — the Pontiac Aztek. GMC offers them a selection of trucks, including GMC Envoy — just named Motor Trend's '2002 Sport Utility of the Year' — the Yukon or Yukon XL full-size SUVs, the Jimmy mid-size SUV, the Savana passenger van or the Sierra full-size or Sonoma mid-size pickups. There's plenty of choice."