Insurance concerns cause cancellation of Ontario bike competition

The Ontario Cup downhill mountain bike competition planned for July has been cancelled, according to Alvin Weatherall, director of risk management at Blue Mountain an Intrawest resort where the event was to be held.
Plans to terminate the event were finalized because of a $1.1 million lawsuit a 28-year-old competitor is charging Blue Mountain with as a result of a broken neck he incurred during last year’s event. The Company is being sued as the venue where the accident occurred, it did not organize or promote the event.
Weatherall says the incident and subsequent lawsuit will effect other Intrawest resorts, including Whistler Blackcomb, that hold extreme or risky sports events. Provincial sport administrators are concerned that more sports events will begin to close down because Canadian organizers and insurers are afraid of potential lawsuits. Already two other resorts – Ontario’s Dagmar Ski Resort and Pleasure Valley – have cancelled recreational and competitive cycling events.
“Insurance is becoming a bigger and bigger issue,” Steve Merker, executive director of the Ontario Cycling Association, said to a news reporter. “Trails on both public and private land are being closed down and we fear cyclists won’t have anywhere to ride.”
Public sport facilities may also be in danger of insurance risk and subsequent premium hikes.