On February 22 and 23, the UBC Alpine Ski Team and Grouse Mountain hosted the first United States Ski Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) Northwest Conference slalom race of the 2011 season. This was the league’s first race in Canada since 1995. Soft snow and somewhat reduced visibility were no match for the race crew at Grouse who pulled off a very successful weekend of racing. The UBC squad even had a few fans willing to brave the damp weather to cheer them on!
Saturday saw both men’s and women’s teams take first place, edging out College of Idaho. Individually, UBC men dominated the top ten finishers. Rookie Austin Taylor took gold by 13 hundredths of a second, followed by Mike Bisnaire in third, veteran Ben Middleton in fourth and Alex Binks in fifth. Mike Cadman and Taylor Drury rounded out the top ten in eighth and ninth, respectively. Rounding out the top forty were Ed Robinson in fourteenth and Ben Romanchych in twentieth. Brothers Ben and Dan Millar both had tough second runs, including a hike for Ben, but still placed 34th and 35th respectively.
On the women’s side, veteran Emma Beattie took first place by a commanding one-second margin. Rookie Amanda Driver finished in fourth spot followed by Meghan McLeod in fifth. Kelsey Nilsen finished seventh. In 18th place was Maddie Crowell and in 28th was Ellen Legro.
Sunday’s races were also a great success. The men’s team won again, despite soft and rutted racing conditions. Rookie Bisnaire took first by a half-second margin. In fifth and seventh with repeat top ten finishes were Cadman and Drury. The women had some difficulties, but still finished second behind College of Idaho. Nilsen was the top finisher in 8th spot. Despite missing a gate and hiking, Beattie finished in tenth.
Overall, the team enjoyed having a race on their home training hill. After the races on Sunday the present team celebrated and shared stories with team alumni.
Many thanks to Grouse Tyee Ski Club and Northwest conference co-ordinator Ron Bonneau without whom the races would not have been possible.
For Complete Results, click on Alpine Skiing at www.gothunderbirds.ca
News Submitted by:
Ben Millar
UBC Alpine Skiing Coach
ubcskiteam@hotmail.com