Sun Peaks Resort Welcomes CIBC Wood Gundy K2 Provincial Championships | BC Alpine Ski Association



A light rain on Friday marked the opening of the 2005 CIBC Wood Gundy K2 Provincial Championships at Sun Peaks Resort near Kamloops. It could not dampen the spirits of racers or volunteers as the first day of Giant Slalom competition went off without a snag. The women were first out of the start and the fastest combined time of the day was laid down by Maelle Bergeron of the Apex Ski Club (1:47.49). Two Whistler Mountain Ski Club athletes rounded out the podium, with Brynne Benbow on the second step (1:47.61) and Calindy Ramsden stepping onto the third (1:48.27).

For the men, Morgan Pridy (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) skied the two fastest runs (1:45.21) to take the gold, followed closely by Sasha Zaitsoff (Red Mountain Racers) who raced to silver (1:45.93)and Philip Matejko (Cypress Mountain Ski Club) earning the bronze medal(1:46.73).

What a difference a day makes! Saturday morning served up bright sunny skies and perfect racing conditions. The track was slick and hard allowing even the last racer out of the gate to enjoy an ideal course. Whistler's Victoria Whitney ran away with gold (0:56.74) and was joined on the podium by team mate and silver medalist, Brynne Benbow (0:57.20), also of Whistler. The bronze on day 2 of GS racing for the women went to Whistler Mountain Ski Club's Calindy Ramsden (0:59.49).

After 2 runs for the men, it was Curtis Timmons of the Windermere Valley Ski Club who came out on top (0:55.61), followed by Friday's winner Morgan Pridy of Whistler (0:55.98). Mathiew Leduc of the Mt. Washington Ski Club secured the third spot on Saturday's men's podium (0:57.52).

All the races are being run on “Coquihalla”, which is now 'set' to challenge the athletes in Sunday's Skills Competition. Monday will bring Men's and Women's Slalom racing and the close of this year's K2 Provincials.