Teck U14 Provincials at Red Mountain PHOTO CREDIT: Christopher Naas

TECK U14 Provincial Championships - GS & SL

Hosted by Red Mountain Racers at Red Mountain Resort, Rossland, BC

March 18 - 20, 2016

Teck U14 Provincials at Red Mountain PHOTO CREDIT: Christopher Naas

COMPLETE RESULTS HERE

March 18 - 20 the RED Mountain Racers were delighted to welcome teams from around the province to compete in the 2016 TECK U14 Provincial Championships at the Legacy Training Centre at RED Mountain Resort. We were fortunate to have perfect weather conditions for these incredible athletes to showcase all the hard work and hours of training that went into preparing for these races.  


Red Mountain Racer - Heiko Ihns, Photo Credit: Lesley Chisholm

On Friday the boys competed in two one run slalom races on the Face of Red. Ihns and Shandro tied for first with Athans a mere 0.03 back. As seen below there were two ties in the top ten for this race:

Friday, March 18 Slalom, Men, 1 Run
1 IHNS, Heiko (Red Mountain Racers) 45.70
1 SHANDRO, Ethan (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 45.70
3 ATHANS, Isaac (Apex Ski Club) 45.73
4 JORDAN, Tait (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 45.92
5 SOLA, Heming (Apex Ski Club) 47.62
6 PANKE, Kristof (Red Mountain Racers) 48.46
7 BLASER, Devin (Apex Ski Club) 48.55
8 DE LA MOTHE, Peter (Apex Ski Club) 49.32
9 KATRUSIAK, Alexander (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 49.36
9 OOSTHUIZEN, Yael (Whitewater Ski Team) 49.36

The second men's slalom race of the day provided another opportunity for this talented squad to show case their abilities. This time it was Athans and Ihns who finished 2 seconds ahead of the field.  

Friday, March 18 Slalom, Men, 1 Run
1 ATHANS, Isaac (Apex Ski Club) 44.43
2 IHNS, Heiko (Red Mountain Racers) 44.56
3 BEAUREGARD, Skylar (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 46.86
4 SOLA, Heming (Apex Ski Club) 47.70
5 DE LA MOTHE, Peter (Apex Ski Club) 48.54
6 BURNS, Chase (Manning Ski Club) 49.09
7 TIMM, Dylan (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 49.22
8 FRETENBURG, Nelson (Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club) 49.60
9 HOEFER, Luke (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 49.74
10 GOSNELL, James (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 50.06

On Friday the ladies were charging the GS gates on Back Trail. In the first race Tara Brudar came out on top by almost a full second.

Friday, March 18 Giant Slalom, Ladies, 1 Run
1 BRUDAR, Tara (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 1:03.61
2 JENKINS, Hallie (Big White Ski Club) 1:04.60
3 KOBASIUK, Melinda (Prince George Ski Club) 1:04.79
4 ROGERS, Noa (Apex Ski Club) 1:04.94
5 BRUDAR, Una (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 1:05.25
6 CHARTRAND, Alexandra (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 1:05.29
7 SLANEY, Jaxon (Big White Ski Club) 1:05.55
8 JOHNSTON, Emilly Gabrielle (Mt Washington) 1:06.33
9 KOPER, Lauren (Black Dogs Ski Club) 1:07.05
10 NICOLLS, Virginia (Ginny) (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 1:07.10 

The ladies second GS race of the day saw the Black Dog's Lauren Koper take top spot, a sign of things to come as the weekend progressed.

Friday, March 18 Giant Slalom, Ladies, 1 Run
1 KOPER, Lauren (Black Dogs Ski Club) 1:00.32
2 JENKINS, Hallie (Big White Ski Club) 1:00.90
3 BRUDAR, Una (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 1:02.04
4 JOHNSTON, Emilly Gabrielle (Mt Washington) 1:02.16
5 SMITH, Rane (Vernon Ski Club) 1:02.94
6 SLANEY, Jaxon (Big White Ski Club) 1:03.65
7 SLATER, Makyla (Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club) 1:03.75
8 JUMONVILLE, Freya (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 1:04.52
9 LARGE, Ana (Apex Ski Club) 1:05.09
10 KING, Abigail (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:05.18

Saturday morning was crisp and cool and the sunshine was bright - perfect conditions for a little GS racing for both the men and ladies.  The men took to the FACE of RED for two one run GS races while the ladies remained on Back Trail for a two run GS race. 



Saturday morning Skylar Beauregard proved unbeatable though Devin Blaser and Isaac Athans were right on his heels.

Saturday, March 19 Giant Slalom, Men, 1 Run
1 BEAUREGARD, Skylar (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 44.18
2 BLASER, Devin (Apex Ski Club) 44.44
3 ATHANS, Isaac (Apex Ski Club) 44.69
4 JORDAN, Tait (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 44.91
5 IHNS, Heiko (Red Mountain Racers) 44.93
6 MCMILLAN, Luke (Big White Ski Club) 45.20
7 GALE, Nolan (Revelstoke Ski Club) 45.29
8 PANKE, Kristof (Red Mountain Racers) 45.64
9 LAYTON, Hayes (Prince George Ski Club) 45.84
10 SOLA, Heming (Apex Ski Club) 45.90

In the men's afternoon race it was Athans, Panke and Jordan who took home the hardware. 

Saturday, March 19 Giant Slalom, Men, 1 Run
1 ATHANS, Isaac (Apex Ski Club) 46.70
2 PANKE, Kristof (Red Mountain Racers) 47.41
3 JORDAN, Tait (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 47.67
4 SHANDRO, Ethan (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 48.05
5 SOLA, Heming (Apex Ski Club) 49.17
6 BLASER, Devin (Apex Ski Club) 49.51
7 GALE, Nolan (Revelstoke Ski Club) 49.63
7 NELLIS, Taylor (Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club) 49.63
9 SCOTT, Cody (Cypress Ski Club) 49.76
10 FORSSANDER, Lukas (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 49.78

On Saturday the ladies competed in a two run GS race again on Back Trail. It was a fantastic day of racing under bright sunny skies.  Once again Lauren Koper proved to be tough to beat!

Saturday, March 19 Giant Slalom, Ladies
1 KOPER, Lauren (Black Dogs Ski Club) 2:02.97
2 JENKINS, Hallie (Big White Ski Club) 2:03.80
3 SMITH, Rane (Vernon Ski Club) 2:04.74
4 BRUDAR, Una (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 2:05.33
5 SLANEY, Jaxon (Big White Ski Club) 2:06.01
6 JOHNSTON, Emilly Gabrielle (Mt Washington) 2:06.37
7 JUMONVILLE, Freya (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 2:07.98
8 LARGE, Ana (Apex Ski Club) 2:08.37
9 SLATER, Makyla (Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club) 2:08.76
10 CICALESE, Lorena (Black Dogs Ski Club) 2:09.01

On Sunday,  the final day of racing, the men headed to Back Trail for a two run GS race and the ladies took on a challenging slalom course on the FACE of RED. 

In the men's GS RED Mountain's own Heiko Ihns proved to be unbeatable finishing over a second ahead of the pack.

Sunday, March 20 Giant Slalom, Men
1 IHNS, Heiko (Red Mountain Racers) 1:58.29
2 MCMILLAN, Luke (Big White Ski Club) 1:59.85
3 ATHANS, Isaac (Apex Ski Club) 1:59.93
4 BEAUREGARD, Skylar (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 2:00.35
5 JORDAN, Tait (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 2:02.06
6 PANKE, Kristof (Red Mountain Racers) 2:02.26
7 SHANDRO, Ethan (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 2:02.90
7 BLASER, Devin (Apex Ski Club) 2:02.90
9 TIMM, Dylan (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 2:04.95
10 SELTZER, Graham (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 2:05.20

Sunday, March 20 Slalom #1, Ladies, 1 Run
1 JENKINS, Hallie (Big White Ski Club) 53.72
2 CHARTRAND, Alexandra (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 55.30
3 KOPER, Lauren (Black Dogs Ski Club) 55.32
4 ROGERS, Noa (Apex Ski Club) 55.63
5 BRUDAR, Una (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 56.35
6 JOHNSTON, Emilly Gabrielle (Mt Washington) 57.75
7 MARTIN, Cory (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 58.48
8 KING, Abigail (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 58.54
9 SLATER, Makyla (Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club) 58.66
10 APPLEGATH, Brynn (Sun Peaks Alpine Club) 58.68

Sunday, March 20 Slalom #2, Ladies, 1 Run
1 KOPER, Lauren (Black Dogs Ski Club) 47.93
2 JENKINS, Hallie (Big White Ski Club) 48.21
3 ROGERS, Noa (Apex Ski Club) 48.24
4 SLANEY, Jaxon (Big White Ski Club) 49.80
5 CHARTRAND, Alexandra (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 50.34
6 MARTIN, Cory (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 50.50
6 KING, Abigail (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 50.50
8 SMITH, Rane (Vernon Ski Club) 50.89
9 BRUDAR, Tara (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 51.02
10 JUMONVILLE, Freya (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) 51.18


Lauren Koper – Black Dogs Ski Club, Photo Credit: Lesley Chisholm

When the races were complete and the athletes had assisted with teardown, everyone gathered on the deck of RED's historic day lodge for the final awards ceremony.  

It was such a tremendous weekend watching these young athletes competing. They have all achieved such strength and skill and have so much to be proud of. 

After the calculations were complete it was with great pleasure that Heiko Ihns of the Red Mountain Racers and Lauren Koper of the Black Dogs Ski Club were named Overall U14 Provincial Champions for 2016.

The top ten overall results for both the ladies and men are listed below:

Ladies' Overall Champion - LAUREN KOPER from the Black Dogs Ski Club

Note -  Abigal King and Cory Martin are tied for 10th overall

Men's Overall Champion - HEIKO IHNS from the Red Mountain Racers

The RED Mountain Racers ROC would like to congratulate everyone on an amazing weekend of racing, and would like to thank TECK, BC ALPINE, RED Mountain Resort, CBT and the volunteers, parents, coaches and athletes that made it all possible! 

Damion Applegath PHOTO CREDIT: Christopher Naas

Christopher Naas took lots more beautiful photos, see Flickr links below, thank you Christopher!!

Ladies GS - Day 1 Run 1:    https://flic.kr/s/aHskwUDeBd

Men SL - Day 1 Run 2:    https://www.flickr.com/gp/139864624@N03/2j472b
 
Ladies GS - Day 2 Run 1:    https://flic.kr/s/aHsktpXmg5
 

AND Lesley Chisholm also took some terrific photos of these talented young athletes - amazing, we can never have too many pics - enjoy!!

http://www.lesleychisholm.com/u14provincials2016

Now in its 24th year, Whistler Cup has become the largest and most important ski race in North America, as well as internationally, for the world’s best 12 to 15-year-old ski racers. Whistler Blackcomb is proud to welcome approximately 430 athletes from 22 countries to this year’s event, April 1 to 3, 2016.
 
Whistler Cup has a history of showcasing future stars, including Americans Lindsey Vonn, Julia Mancuso and Mikaela Shiffrin, as well as Slovenia’s Tina Maze, Italy’s Christof Innerhofer and Austria’s Nicole Hosp, Anna Fenninger and Mathias Meier.

Many of Canada’s biggest stars have also competed at the event over the years, including Marielle Thompson, Kelsey Serwa, Jan Hudec, Erik Guay, Robbie Dixon, Britt and Michael Janyk and Manuel Osborne-Paradis.

Please read important information below if you are competing at this year's Whistler Cup:

1. Registration takes place at the WMSC - COACHES ONLY to pick up accreditation and jackets (no parents please)

2. Every athlete MUST fill in the Bio and Information Sheet (ONE 3-PAGE FORM PER TEAM) ASAP and email it to Christine Cogger at whistlercup@wmsc.info

3. Every athlete MUST complete the FIS Athlete Declaration Form and give it to their coach to be handed in at Registration

4. Entry costs $450 per athlete and $275 per coach

5. Two payment options a) pay online before the event at www.wmsc.info/payment or b) bring a cheque to Registration at the WMSC
 

BC Alpine is proud to announce the following U16 athletes who will represent our province at the 2016 Whistler Cup!

(Click HERE for PRS - selection data)

Teams are arriving from the following countries:

We'll be watching the following U14 athletes at the 2016 Whistler Cup International Festival:

TEAM BC - U14 MEN

TEAM BC - U14 LADIES

(Click HERE for PRS - selection data)

Whistler Cup is almost here and we are preparing to once again welcome racers from across the world for 3 great days of racing (April 1-3).

This event requires many volunteers (more than 300!) over the course of the week for both on and off hill positions.

Please mail armilavsky@shaw.ca  to sign up. 

Hope you can join us, we anticipate bluebird days and incredible spring skiing all week long!

 

Women's Complete Super-G Results

Men's Complete Super-G Results

Stefanie Fleckenstein, SG - PHOTO CREDIT: Derek Trussler

ALPINE COMBINED

Alberta’s Trevor Philp and Ontario’s Candace Crawford laid down a pair of runs today to capture the Canadian Champion title in the alpine combined event. Crawford finished the super G in second-place just behind BC Ski Team's Stefanie Fleckenstein, who laid down the fastest super-G run of the day, but did not finish the slalom portion for a result in the alpine combined. 

The athletes went into the slalom knowing they were battling soft conditions. Crawford attacked the course to ski the fastest slalom run of the day, taking first-place in the alpine combined event. This is Crawford’s second Canadian Championship title. 

“Today was a great day! Slalom was a bit up and down this year but I knew going in it would be bumpy and I just had to go with it,” said Crawford of her slalom run. “I’m really excited to be Canadian Champ!”

Development Team athlete Ali Nullmeyer took second-place today moving up two spots after finishing fourth in the super G run. U19 athlete, Stephanie Currie from the Ontario Ski Team, rounded out the ladies’ race. 

After the first handful of racers battled tough visibility conditions, the skies cleared just in time for Philp’s super G run as he skied into a sixth-place. The up-and-coming technical superstar put down a great slalom run to capture the alpine combined win, bringing his Canadian Championship tally to three. 

“It was a lot fun to be out here today,” said Philp. “The conditions were definitely tough but we knew that going in watching everyone fighting through the track. I’m really happy to be Canadian Champion!”

Joining Philp on the podium is Development Team athlete Brodie Seger (WMSC) and National Team athlete Phil Brown. 

March 27 Women's FIS Super-G Complete Results

March 27 Women's National Championship Alpine Combined Complete Results

March 27 Men's FIS Super-G Complete Results

March 27 Men's National Championship Alpine Combined Complete Results

PHOTO CREDIT: Derek Trussler

Women's Canadian Championship Slalom Complete Results

Men's Canadian Championships Giant Slalom Complete Results (Unofficial)

Volunteer of the Year, Jenn Voss, with Manny Osborne Paradis

The 2016 Canadian Ski Racing Awards, recognizing Canadian athletes, coaches and volunteers who have shown outstanding dedication and commitment to the sport were presented in Whistler on March 26th during the Canadian Championships event.

“The ACA Awards are an important initiative for Canadian ski racing, giving recognition to the lifeblood of our sport.  Athletes, volunteers, coaches and builders deserve to be acknowledged for their tireless dedication to ski racing,” said Mark Rubinstein, CEO and President of Alpine Canada Alpin. “We are overwhelmed by the number of nominations and votes we received. It’s an honour to recognize several individuals that have given so much to our sport. Congratulations to all the nominees and this year’s winners.” 

BC Alpine would like to congratulate four amazing people from our province who received ACA awards at a special ceremony on Saturday evening. (for more information about these awards visit http://www.alpinecanada.org/news/2016/ACAAwards)


(left to right above)

1. Whistler's Marielle Thompson - Female Ski Cross Athlete of the Year
2. Whistler Mountain Ski Club's Danielle Robson - Female Coach of the Year
3. Whistler Mountain Ski Club's James Crawford (Ontario) - Minogue Award of Excellence
4. Hemlock Ski Club's Jennifer Voss - Volunteer of the Year


Bruce Goldsmid congratulates Jenn Voss :)

MACKENZIE INVESTMENTS WHISTLER CUP – DAY 2 RESULTS

Whistler, BC (April 3, 2016) – Sunday closed out the final races at the 24th annual Mackenzie Investments Whistler Cup. Athletes between the ages of 12 and 15 from 18 countries competed in three disciplines. 

Norway dominated the podium today with a first and third on the ladies’ podium, and a first ND second on the men’s side. 

Marte Monsen from Norway goes three for three in wins in the ladies’ field. “My race was great today. It was tough up there but it was really fun,” said Monsen. “The second run was tougher with snow and coming down in the back of the pack made it challenging. It was really awesome to be here and I’m so happy! I want to thank my coach and my mom, dad and brother.” 

Mont Olympia’s Éloïse Carle took today’s second spot, trailing the first-place time by 3.02 seconds. The fifteen-year-old Quebec native leaves the 2016 Whistler Cup with three silver medals, hitting the podium in all the races she competed in. 

“My first run was good but the second run wasn’t so great,” said Carle. “On the third gate I almost skied out but I was able to recover. The conditions weren’t great and I was really hoping for a first-place finish today after sitting in first-place after the first run.” 

In third-place on the ladies’ podium is Norway's Biance Bakke-Westhoff, 4.33 seconds back from the lead-time. 

The men’s podium had two Norwegians sitting in the top spots with Kaspar Kindem in first-place and Wilhelm Normannseth in second-place, sitting 0.88 seconds back from the lead-time. In third-place sits New Zealand’s Ben Richards who was 1.30 seconds behind Kindem.  

“I put down the greatest run of my life in the second giant slalom run today,” said Kindem. “I’m really happy with how things have gone here and especially with today’s result.”

Jamie Casselman, from Panorama Ski Club in British Columbia, was Canada’s fastest male athlete of the day with an overall fourth-place finish. Casselman has also secured a second and third-place finish during this year's Whistler Cup.

“My first run was definitely much better than the second,” said Casselman. “The conditions deteriorated the track and my second run was definitely a wild ride! It’s been a great weekend of competition and I’m really happy with how everything went.”

Norway closes out the Mackenzie Invesments Whistler Cup capturing the Nation's Cup!

Alpine Canada Alpin congratulates all the athletes on another exciting year of competition and thanks the volunteers, coaches and countless other supporters of the next generation of World Cup hopefuls.

Ladies’ Slalom Podium

1 – Marte Monsen (NOR)

2 – Eloise Carle (CAN)

3 – Biance Bakke-Westhoff (NOR)

Men’s Giant Slalom Podium

1 – Kaspar Kindem (NOR)

2 – Wilhelm Normannseth (NOR)

3 – Ben Richards (NZL)

4 - Jamie Casselman (CAN)

                                    Men's GS Top 10

  1  20         Kindem, Kaspar              NOR/NOR1    

  2   8         Normannseth, Wilhelm        NOR/NOR1    

  3   1         Richards, Ben               NZL/NZL1    

  4  10         Casselman, Jamie            CAN/CAN1  

  5  26         McGrath, Atle               NOR/NOR1    

  6  21         De Varennes, Gabriel        CAN/CAN1    

  7   3         Laine, Tormis               EST/EST1    

  8   7         Terashima, Kai              JPN/JPN1    

  9  40         Francis, William            CAN/ONT1    

 10  49         Romanin, Nathan             CAN/BC1 


Ladies' Slalom Top 10

  1  20         Monsen, Marte               NOR/NOR1   

  2   9         Carle, Eloise               CAN/CAN1    

  3   1         Bakke-Westhoff, Bianca      NOR/NOR1    

  4  16         Smith, Sierra               CAN/CAN1     

  5  21         Hill, Alyssa                CAN/CAN1    

  6   8         Blok, Noa                   NED/NED1   

  7  60         Robinson, Sophie            CAN/ONT2    

  8  24         Lebsack, Avery              CAN/CAN2    

  9  25         Smart, Eleri                CAN/CAN2    

 10  28         Bennett, Sarah              CAN/CAN3    

 11  42         Renzoni, Ella               CAN/BC1     

For full results, click here. 


Nancy Greene Award U14  (top performance by a Canadian female) JADE BONNEVILLE, QC

Nancy Greene Award U16  (top performance by a Canadian female) ELOISE CARLE CANADA1

Dave Murray Award U14  (top performance by a Canadian male) GRIFFEN HANSON ONTARIO1

Dave Murray Award U16 (top performance by a Canadian male) JAMIE CASSELMAN CANADA1

U14 Festival Winner - ONTARIO 1

U16 Whistler Cup - NORWAY

www.whistlercup.com

Sunday U14 Ladies’ Slalom - Coast Mountain Photography
 

U14 Ladies’ Dual

1 Charton Emma CAN/ONT    

2 Aramburo Emilia CHI

3 Koper Lauren CAN/BC

U14 Men’s Dual

1 Gravier Tiziano ARG

2 Pirozzi Nicolas CHI       

3 Profitt John CAN/AB

U14 Ladies’ GS

1 CAMPBELL Ashley CAN/ON

2 BONNEVILLE Jade CAN/QC

3 KESTLOVA Karolina CZE

U14 Men’s Slalom

1 Hanson, Griffen CAN/ONT     

2 Noe, Peter CAN/QC      

3 Nakajima, Kenshin JPN    

U14 Ladies’ Slalom

1 Bonneville, Jade CAN/QC  

2 Sullivan, Elizabeth CAN/ONT   

3 Charton, Emma CAN/ONT

U14 Men’s GS

1 Kimishima, Ohra JPN    

2 Pirozzi, Nicolas CHI     

3 Athans, Isaac CAN/BC  

Nancy Greene Award U14 (top performance by a Canadian female) JADE BONNEVILLE, QC

Dave Murray Award U14 (top performance by a Canadian male) GRIFFEN HANSON, ONT

U14 Festival Winner - ONTARIO 1


Isaac Athans, Apex Ski Club - Coast Mountain Photography
 

TEAM BC - U14 MEN

TEAM BC - U14 LADIES

LUKA DJURICKOVIC - MT WASHINGTON SKI CLUB

Sunday, April 10 Slalom, Men

Sunday, April 10 Slalom, Ladies

The 2016 Fidelity Spring Series, hosted by WMSC on the Dave Murray National Training center, commenced on Monday after a week of above average temperatures and clear evenings, which allowed the snow to solidify somewhat.

BC Ski Team’s Stefanie Fleckenstein took full advantage of an early start number to lay down what proved to be the fastest time for the ladies. Ontario Ski Team’s Stephanie Currie continued her great skiing from the Canadian Championships to claim 2nd spot (+1.32 seconds), and U18 racer Andrea Louise Arnold from Czech Republic was third (+1.5 seconds).

The men inherited the “experienced” course from the ladies and proceeded to work over the softening snow over the next 140 racers. Morgan Pridy continued where he left off after the speed events at the Nationals, winning the race, followed by Tyler Werry, 0.2secs off the pace. Technical ace and Canadian Champion in SL, Ontario’s Phil Brown, edged Whistler’s Brodie Seger for the final podium spot.

The BC Men’s ski team posted impressive results in the stacked field, led by Riley Seger in 7th (+1.08) Cameron Alexander and Sam Mulligan tied in 10th (+1.48), and Max Kirshenblatt and Max Peiffer separated by 2/100ths in 12th and 13th respectively. BC Team's Kirshenblatt also found himself in a familiar spot atop the U18 podium Monday.

"It feels great to end the speed season successfully and it's been a blast doing it here at my home mountain racing against a field full of my ski racing idols," said Kirshenblatt. "Over the past two days whistler has lived up to the stereotypes giving us rain and challenging racing conditions, but all the volunteers worked hard and pulled off a good race"

Fleckenstein found the course conditions challenging: “It was a pretty turny set, given the soft conditions. The course crew had to work pretty hard to keep the transitions in raceable condition. I was happy to have bib 3 today, I’m sure the 140th guy skied a way different course than I did.”

Weather conditions changed overnight into Tuesday, with snow at the start and rain at the bottom, adding to the pervious day’s challenges. The course ran about 5 seconds faster than on Monday as the set reflected the softening snow, especially on the final pitch to the finish.

Fleckenstein made it 2 for 2, beating Ontario Ski Team's Stephanie Currie in 2nd by 1.61. Alberta's Sarah Taylor rounded out the podium in 3rd.

"I love racing at Whistler," said Fleckenstein. "It’s an awesome speed hill with steeps, flats and lots of terrain at this time of the year. After a long year on the road, I really appreciate the support that all of us on the BC Ski Team when we're back home. It was also nice to have Mikayla Martin back in the start after 8 weeks on the sideline, and a quick shout out to Toni Wearmouth as well. Finally, thanks to all of the volunteers who took time off work to keep the track safe.”

On the men’s side, Broderick Thompson finally broke Pridy’s stranglehold on speed events on the DMNTC, claiming the win ahead of Canadian Development Team member Jeffrey Read. Pridy did find his way onto the podium in 3rd spot (+.41 seconds). BCST’s Sam Mulligan in 8th and Max Kirshenblatt in 9th were the sole survivors on the rapidly deteriorating course. The men’s race was finally called after 71 racers, in the interest of athlete safety, as the foggy conditions and soft snow finally had their say.

Teck Kootenay Zone Finals at Fernie PHOTO CREDIT: Jim Hall https://www.flickr.com/photos/puremystic/albums/72157664992799594

FAST (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) hosts the Teck Kootenay Zone Finals

On the weekend of April 9/10, young athletes (U10, U12, U14, U16, U18) gathered from around the Kootenays for an amazing weekend of racing at Fernie Alpine Resort. Racers competed in slalom on Saturday and a super fun dual slalom on Sunday.

Congratulations to all our dedicated athletes on an outstanding season, and kudos to the following top finishers. The Fernie Alpine Ski Team was awarded the “prestigious” Kootenay Cup!

Top U18 - Gavin Donald (Vernon Ski Club)

Top U16 (male) - Devin Mittertreiner (Fernie Alpine Ski Team)

Top U16 (female) - Elly Foster (Fernie Alpine Ski Team)

Top U14 (male) - Isaac Athens (Apex Ski Club)

Top U14 (female) - Lauren Koper (Black Dogs Ski Club)
 

Follow this link to superb photos from Jim Hall (thanks Jim!)  https://www.flickr.com/photos/puremystic/albums/72157664992799594

Teck Kootenay Zone Finals
Fernie - April 9 - 10, 2016

Saturday, April 9 Slalom, Men, U14
1 DONALD, Gavin (Vernon Ski Club) 1:11.24
2 MITTERTREINER, Devin (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:11.42
3 ATHANS, Isaac (Apex Ski Club) 1:14.46
4 FINLEY, Ryan (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:20.24
5 TIMM, Dylan (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:20.85
6 GIBBONS, Derek (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:24.01
7 BEAMAN, Joshua (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:25.04
8 SWAN, Bobby (Whitewater Ski Team) 1:26.06
9 MAYERCHAK, Joshua (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:26.32
10 CHRISTIE, Max (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:28.60

Saturday, April 9 Slalom, Ladies, U14
1 KOPER, Lauren (Black Dogs Ski Club) 1:17.03
2 FOSTER, Elly (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:19.70
3 FORSYTH, Rylee (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:19.82
4 BRATTON, Lexie (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:20.59
5 HAWKINS, Anna (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:22.69
6 FYFE, Emma (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:24.00
7 SAUNDERS, Ella (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:24.53
8 HALL, Juliette (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:25.51
9 CARR, Samila (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:25.79
10 NUTTALL, Sasha (Fernie Alpine Ski Team) 1:27.31

Kootenay Zone race DUAL Slalom RESULTS April 10, 1016

The 2016 Fidelity Spring Series racers enjoyed Whistler Mountain’s return to seasonal average temperatures after a week of warmer than normal weather. Dale Stephens and the rest of the WMSC crew kept the Dave Murray National Training Center slope in race-able condition with the use of strategic grooming, eco-friendly snow hardeners and good old fashioned muscle-power.

132 men lined up on Thursday for the first of 2 GS races starting at the top of Raven and ending at the top of Sunset Pitch. Top Canadian Team talent sprinkled in with some US Ski Team racers allowed for a low penalty, with race winner Tyler Werry (CAST) scoring 11.25 FIS points. Canadian SL Champion Phil Brown captured 2^nd overall, winning the second run by 1/100^th over Werry. World Cup regular Trevor Philp claimed the final podium spot, +.24 seconds to Werry. BC Ski Team veteran Dominic Unterberger finished 8^th with teammate Riley Seger 13^th and Sam Mulligan 17^th, rounding out the first page of results. Japan’s Yohei Koyama was the top U18 in 9th^th place.

On the ladies side, BC Ski Team’s Stefanie Fleckenstein picked up where she left off after winning both SG’s, making it a three-peat in the GS. Ontario Ski Team’s Emma Woodhouse claimed 2^nd overall, surviving a rough and rutted second run. Banff Alpine’s Meg Cumming finished a strong 3^rd overall. Red Mountain’s Soleil Patterson was the next BC athlete and top U18 in 6^th spot, followed closely by Vancouver Ski Team’s Kristina Natalenko in 7^th for 2^nd fastest U18.

Temperatures started easing higher on Friday for the second men’s GS, which made for difficult course conditions on the Raven and Club 21 pitches. Big core strength was a key ingredient for negotiating the rutted track. Phil Brown (1^st) traded podium spots with Tyler Werry (2^nd), with US World Cup racer Tanner Farrow in 3^rd. National Development Team’s Brodie Seger (WMSC) skied to a strong 5^th place, top U21 in the field. Brother Riley Seger of the BC Ski Team was 9^th with teammate Dominic Unterberger putting down his 2^nd consecutive strong GS of the series in 10^th. Sam Mulligan also made page 1 of the results in 15^th.

The Stefanie Show continued for the second GS with a narrow 1/100^th sec margin over Alberta Ski Team’s Georgia Burgess. First run leader Emma Woodhouse and Fleckenstein both suffered from a rapidly decaying course as the set on the outside of the pitches crumbled rapidly with each successive racer. WMSC’s Gabby Smith, Laura Swaffield and Antoinette Tansley all made top 20, finishing 10^th, 13^th and 16^th, respectively.

The weekend warming trend continued, with overcast skies preventing the wet snow needed to get the full effect of the hardener. The result was a heavily rutted SL track that started at the top of Club 21 and finished at the top of Sunset Pitch. The hard charging style of Canada’s top SL skiers quickly rutted the course and ballooned the time gaps after the top 20 men of the 135 strong field. Trevor Philip won both runs to take top podium spot, ahead of Phil Brown. US Ski Team’s Hig Roberts was 3^rd followed by speed skier turned SL ace Brodie Seger. Sam Mulligan in 9^th place led the BC Team charge with Riley Seger in 14^th. WMSC alum Ford Swette took 17^th spot, with some smart tactical skiing.

On the ladies side, Stefanie Fleckenstein continued her dream series with a 1.09 second victory over Alberta’s Burgess. Banff Alpine’s Tyra Collombin found the 3^rd podium step in her specialty discipline. WMSC’s Gabby Smith edged Red’s Soleil Patterson in 9^th and 10^th spot. Revelstoke’s Emily Unterberger in 11^th, Nicole Mah in 12^th, Antoinette Tansley in 13^th and Frances MacDonald in 14^th place all made page 1 of the results sheet.