Christina Lustenberger (Rossignol/Rossignol) and Danielle Poleschuk (Atomic/Lange) were named to the BC Alpine Ski Team Friday in Invermere as the 2002/2003 Women's BC Alpine Ski Team was announced.
The two Kootenay athletes earned the opportunity to represent their clubs and British Columbia on the Provincial stage. Team leader, Lustenberger, 18, of Invermere returns for a third season while Fernie native Danielle Poleschuk, 16, is set for her inaugural rookie year.
While the team is a small one, Nancy-Jo O'Neill, head coach of the women's team is pleased with the selection and ready for a solid season on the slopes. “I'm looking forward to working with these girls to raise the level of women's skiing in BC. It is an outstanding opportunity to develop this women's team into a strong, dynamic and dominant force in the nation over the next few seasons.”
O'Neill, who returned to B.C. after four seasons in Ontario, two as the Head Coach of the men's provincial team, also looks forward to working with the top FIS level club athletes and coaches from around the province this season to ensure opportunity is awarded to the fastest female skiers in B.C.
The two-woman team, along with O'Neill, is set to travel to Saas Fee, Switzerland, Saturday for a three-week long technical camp. In Saas Fee they will join and train with the Alberta Ski Team.
Solid supporters of the Women's BC Ski Team include Pontiac GMC with team vans, Air Canada supports team travel and Descente outfits the athletes and coaches each season.
About the Women's BC Ski Team
The BC Ski Team consists of the top female Alpine Ski Racers in the province of British Columbia. The athletes are selected based on their national ranking in the four disciplines of ski racing: downhill, super giant slalom, giant slalom and slalom. These athletes train and compete nationally and internationally all year round with over 120 days on snow per year. In the summer they train in Whistler, Mt. Hood, Oregon and Chile, South America. Each winter the team travels to Europe for a month. The team also trains daily either by mountain biking, running, weight training and/or gymnastics. The dryland training programs are individually designed by exercise physiologist David Ellis. The athlete's psychological program is under the direction of Dr. Dana Sinclair. Throughout the winter they attend up to 45-50 competitions all over North America and Europe.
About BC Alpine
BC Alpine is committed to bringing to our communities fun, challenge, and opportunities for personal excellence through participation and competition in alpine ski racing.
Women's BC Ski Team
Christina Lustenberger, Invermere, Windermere Valley Ski Club;
Danielle Poleschuk, Fernie, Fernie Alpine Ski Team
For more information, please contact:
Sue-Lynda Gratton
Communications Manager
BC Alpine Ski Association
(604) 737-3071
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