BC Alpine announced the 2009-10 BC Ski Team and BC Development Team rosters Saturday in Whistler.
Conrad Pridy of Whistler will lead a squad of eight men, five who have met the requirements for the BC Ski Team and three who have earned spots on the men’s BC Development Team.
“The BC Team men have had a full summer and fall to prepare for the 2009/10 race season,” said men’s head coach Jordan Williams. “This will be a season of olympic proportions for our team. Although competing at the Nor-Am level will be our priority, we may have an opportunity to help out with forerunning during the ‘Big Show’ in February. Both coaches and racers are committed to a full-on effort and a solid plan that has high expectations for results.”
Jeff MacLennan, also of Whistler, is working with Williams as assistant coach for this high performance male squad.
On the women’s side, two athletes have met the criteria for the BC Ski Team and three have worked to secure places on the women’s development team.
“The girls have been working hard for six months and they continue to push themselves and each other,” said women’s Head Coach Gregor Druzina. “We realize that we are working with a younger group of athletes, so we are focusing on development in many areas of skiing and dryland training. We are happy with how the girls are progressing at this stage and we are confident moving toward race season, which begins in three weeks!”
Druzina is joined by Sam Liddell, a former national team coach for Great Britain, with the women’s team.
All of the named athletes were selected to a BC Team Training Group at the end of last season. Between May 15th and November 15th they took part in rigorous dryland training, intensive fitness testing and upwards of 45 days on snow in order to earn their way onto the team for the upcoming competition season.
“We have named a strong group of skiers that will represent BC on the national stage,” said Gordie Bowles, BC Alpine Athletic Director. “It was a tough tryout for these athletes over the past six months, but we believe that this process is what will make these athletes stronger and more competitive this season. The men’s team has a core group of talented veterans that will be pushing for a spot on the national ski team. The women’s group is young but has potential to take the next step if they make some positive gains this season.”
Everyone convened in Whistler on the weekend for the final fitness testing session before racing gets underway. It wasn’t all work though – the racers were excited to receive their official uniforms and pose in front of snow covered mountains for headshots and team photos with team photographer Robert Kwong.
Men’s BC Ski Team
Conrad Pridy (Whistler/Whistler Mountain Ski Club)
Morgan Pridy (Whistler/Whistler Mountain Ski Club)
Tyler Werry (Calgary/Fernie Alpine Ski Team)
Michael Cadman (Anmore/Whistler Mountain Ski Club)
Ben MacLean (Whistler/Whistler Mountain Ski Club)
Men’s BC Development Team
Spencer Morris (West Vancouver/Whistler Mountain Ski Club)
William Konantz (West Vancouver/Whistler Mountain Ski Club)
Ford Swette (North Vancouver/Whistler Mountain Ski Club)
Women’s BC Ski Team
Sarah Freeman (Pincher Creek/Fernie Alpine Ski Team)
Jocelyn Ramsden (West Vancouver/Whistler Mountain Ski Club)
Women’s BC Development Team
Celine Rytz (Calgary/Fernie Alpine Ski Team)
Alecia Willis (Surrey/Whistler Mountain Ski Club)
Sarah Elliot (Oyama/Big White Racers) – injury status