July 22, 2004 – Wednesday marked the first day of official practice and some exciting evening entertainment in the way of a Pro Shootout. The top 32 Elite Men and Top 16 Elite Women (including Samantha Cools who is a junior) raced a new format for cash and crowd applause. Cools looked like a favourite along with Kim Hiyashi but only Hiyashi would transfer to the final. Hiyashi took the holeshot but Laetitia Le Corguille bumped Hiyashi coming out of turn two and took the win. It was a rough move but no call was made. Jana Horakova from CZE was 2nd.

Australia’s Warwick Stevenson made his debut and took the big win in Elite Men ahead of Jason Richardson (USA) and Robert Dewilde of the Netherlands.

Team Canada gets into action Friday with 24″ Cruiser racing. Tory Nyhaug, Samantha Cools will defend World plates while the rest of the team looks for the podium.