SAINT-GÉDÉON, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - March 2, 2010) − The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today announced the awarding of $60,958 in non-repayable funding to Zone Turbulence for the 30th edition of the World Ice and Snow Sailing Association's (WISSA) Ice and Snow Sailing World Championship in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. Granted through the Community Futures program, this financial assistance will serve to help the organization promote the competition on foreign markets.

"Saint-Gédéon can be rightfully proud of playing host to the 30th Ice and Snow Sailing World Championship. This prestigious event—which draws a wide following—is an ideal opportunity to showcase the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region beyond our borders. This Zone Turbulence project is sure to further the development of winter tourism in the region, which is why Canada Economic Development is pleased to lend its financial support to the event," explained the Minister of State.

Hundreds of spectators and visitors, many of them from outside the province, are expected to attend the competition, generating an increase in winter tourism traffic that will benefit the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean economy as a whole.

Established in April 2009, Zone Turbulence is a non-profit organization that groups together several regional associations active in the wind sports sector. The organization's mission is to promote wind-powered sports. This year marks the first time that the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region will be hosting the world championship, which runs from February 26 to March 7 in Saint-Gédéon. 

Minister of State Lebel wishes the best of luck to all participants of the 30th Ice and Snow Sailing World Championship and is hopeful that the event will be held again in the region. "This competition is a great opportunity for our young ice surfers to take on an exciting new challenge and stretch their limits," he concluded.

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