Mont-Tremblant, Sunday, December 15, 2002 — Another successful Grand Prix 24 heures de Tremblant wrapped up today as Jacques Villeneuve and Craig Pollock, co-patrons of the ski marathon, presented a $330,000 cheque to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation on behalf of the 708 skiers and snowboarders who participated in the event. The money raised this weekend brings the two-year total of the Tremblant event to more than $600,000.

In making the presentation, Pollock praised the participants for their involvement in the fund-raising marathon and also singled out Tremblant, the ski station that hosted the event, as well as all of the volunteers who contributed to the success of the 24-hour marathon. " An event of this magnitude could not enjoy the success that it does without the support of the extremely professional people who work at Tremblant, " said Pollock. "Again this year, everyone went above and beyond the call of duty, enabling 118 teams to ski in a pleasant and safe environment, from top to bottom."

In the Performance category, a Swiss team from Les Portes du Soleil ski station, won for the second straight year, as it covered a distance of 381 kilometres. Max Ski Service / Newad, a local team, finished in second place, only a few seconds behind the winning entry.

In the Endurance class, X-SkiCamp.com took first-place honours, skiing a total of 354 kilometres. Jacques Villeneuve's entry, which finished second last year, managed a 20th-place performance today, racking up 362 kilometres. The Formula Charity team comprised of Villeneuve, Pollock, Patrick Lemarier, a former test driver with BAR, and Gustave Chable, former Swiss and Canadian national ski team coach, compiled some impressive totals in donations per kilometre as it collected $24,964.

The Tremblant COGECO, meanwhile, made an exceptional effort and raised more than $23,000. The popular Canadian rock group, Tea Party, capped the marathon with an on-site musical performance.

Jacques Villeneuve and Craig Pollock now head to Europe to prepare for the Grand Prix de Villars in Switzerland, January 10-12, 2003.

Information: Johanne Lépine Torchia Communications Cell: (514) 993-1319

Paul Vaillancourt III Torchia Communications Cell: (514) 996-6224