Two BC Team athletes say thanks as they move on & embrace new challenges

In their own words, BC Ski Team/Whistler Mountain Ski Club racers Blake Ramsden and Charley Field tell us what's next. We wish them every success in their respective new endevours!

I have decided to stop my ski racing ventures and pursue a post-secondary education. This decision was the hardest I have made yet, but I feel like I went about the process in a mature manner, and ultimately decided that ski racing was not what I wanted to do for the next ten years of my life. It goes without saying, however, that ski racing has moulded me into a responsible, thoughtful, and hard working person, and for that I am extremely thankful. I’m thankful to all of my coaches, who allowed me to realize my potential to compete at the highest level. I’m thankful to the executives and staff at the Whistler Mountain Ski Club and BC Alpine, who directed the programs in which I was able to achieve my greatest successes. But most of all, I’m thankful to my many teammates that I have had over the past eight years. Beyond all the results and work, I could always count on having an absolute riot, on and off the hill, with my friends. Looking back, the only reason that I was able to enjoy all of the successes is because I had stellar teammates to enjoy them with.

For the past eight years, whenever anybody has asked me, “What do you do?” I would automatically answer “I’m a ski racer!”, and although this may not define me anymore, the qualities that this sport has instilled in me will continue to define me, long after my last race. I am leaving ski racing on the tail end of one of my best seasons yet, but I am also grateful that I am able to leave ski racing on my own terms – no sour taste in my mouth. My dad always told my sisters and me to live by three rules. They were:
1. Have fun.
2. Try your best.
3. Nothing matters after that.
I definitely had fun, I definitely tried my best, and that’s all that matters in the end.

Next year I will be studying Engineering at Western University, with the goal of obtaining a dual degree in Engineering and Business. I’m certain that I will be ready to tackle the challenges ahead, and I’m excited for the spontaneity of something completely different and unknown.

Thanks for all the support over the years,
Blake Ramsden

I would like to officially announce that I will be moving on from the BC Ski Team to further my career on the Sea Wolves Alpine Ski Team at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, on a sport scholarship. I have had an amazing three years on the team growing, developing and learning about myself and my skiing. My coaches along the way have given me an unlimited amount of opportunities that have shaped me as an athlete so far in my journey. To me this is not the end of my career, it is another new path to discover more about what this sport has to offer. I will be competing at the same level as my previous years, with some added NCAA division II carnival races required for me to participate in. This summer I will be training with the Summer BC Ski Team Training group, traveling to Mt.Hood for a two week training camp and then a four week dryland camp in Whistler. At the end August I will be heading out to Anchorage to start training with my new team. I am very excited to take this next step in a place that I have always wanted to travel to.

This opportunity would have not happened without the help of many people along the way so far. I would like to first thank the many coaches that have taught me throughout the years. They never gave up on me and were always there through the rollercoaster ride we call ski racing. A big thanks to my home club, the Whistler Mountain Ski Club, for helping to shape me into the athlete I am today.  As well to my teammates who have supported me through each racing series, and for always being there to talk. Thank you to the many supporters that have generously given donations and have come to my annual fundraisers. I would also like to thank Nenad (Rossignol), the Dattels family, Okaped, Haywood Securities and the many other BC alpine sponsors. Another huge thank you to the endless hours and major help the BC Alpine staff have given me: Bruce Goldsmid, Gordie Bowles, Kathy Stahr,  Keven Dubinsky, Justine Parent, Gregor Druzina , Aaron Speden, ,Johnny Crichton, Nick Cooper, JP Daigneault and Andrew Lambert.  Last but not least a big thank you to my family for doing everything they can to be there for me every day to support my goals and dreams.

Even though I am now moving on in my career in a different direction, I know that whereever I end up I will represent BC and Canada to the best of my abilities.

Charley Field
“All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them."