Unterberger & Gartner set to lead promising team: 2015 BCST announced | BC Alpine Ski Association

Photo from BC Alpine website: www.bcalpine.com

VIEW THE TEAM HERE: http://bcalpine.com/bcst

VANCOUVER, B.C. (Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014) – BC Alpine announced today a group of 11 athletes that will represent B.C. this season on the regional, Nor-Am and international circuits.

“Coming into my second season, it’s been all about maintaining existing and establishing new contacts in order to provide the best opportunities for this team,” said Johnny Crichton, BCST Head Coach. “After a very successful season, we opened up quite a few spots on the roster. Now we’re servicing our returning veterans as well as providing the new members opportunities to excel as fast as they can. We aim to provide the environment and the tools to become the best ski racers they can be. The results, experience and knowledge gained will directly reflect the effort put in and how far they take this sport.”

The team – made of mostly new recruits after last season’s successful campaign where six BCST athletes moved on to either the national ski team or NCAA athletic scholarships – had a rigorous six months of physical training, technical ski camps and sports education.

"We had a blend of veteran and rookie athletes this summer working together and it made for a great training environment,” said Andrew Lambert, Sports Science Director and team trainer. “Our general philosophy during the pre-comp phase is to provide a training program and environment which allows the athlete to become more resilient and to stay healthy. The foundation for the competitive season was laid during the summer months and I know this is, overall, one of the fittest teams I have been involved with."

The men’s and women’s teams work as an integrated staff and group, with men and women training and travelling together.

“The women’s team has a diverse group with a mix of veteran leadership and energy and hunger from the young guns,” said the Women’s Head Coach, Ryan Jazic, the newest member to the coaching staff. “Steffi Gartner and Alix Wells will be pushing for the top spots in Nor-Am races while the three rookies (Stef Fleckenstein, Mikayla Martin, Antonia Wearmouth) will be gaining valuable experience, establishing themselves as future Nor-Am contenders and leading the way at the national level. They are all competing very hard within the team propelling themselves to a higher level every day.”

Men’s Head Coach, Nick Cooper, said his group has their eyes set on both Nor-Am medals and Nor-Am points, two goals that reflect the diversity of the small group.

"Although we welcomed four new members to the men’s team, we look poised to carry last season's momentum into 2015,” said Cooper. “The newcomers had a great prep period and have made huge gains both on and off the hill. Our veterans had a solid off season. Dominic's (Unterberger) maturity and experience are paying off, and prior to Patrick’s injury (Patrick Carry fractured his leg in a training accident in Stelvio, Italy, in early October) they both looked ready to achieve their goals. Pat will be returning to snow soon."

BCST Women:
Stephanie Gartner, Fernie Alpine Ski Team (Fernie)
Alix Wells, Prince George Ski Club (Prince George)
Antonia Wearmouth, Vancouver Ski Team (North Vancouver)
Stephanie Fleckenstein, Whistler Mtn Ski Club (West Vancouver)
Mikayla Martin, Whistler Mtn Ski Club (Squamish)

BCST Men:
Dominic Unterberger, Revelstoke Ski Club (Revelstoke)
Patrick Carry, Fernie Alpine Ski Team (Fernie)
Riley Seger, Whistler Mtn Ski Club (North Vancouver)
Cameron Alexander, Whistler Mtn Ski Club (North Vancouver)
Sam Mulligan, Vancouver Ski Team (West Vancouver)
Max Peiffer, Whistler Mtn Ski Club (Whistler)

Coaches:
Head Coach: Johnny Crichton (Kamloops)
Men’s Head Coach: Nick Cooper (Whistler)
Women’s Head Coach: Ryan Jazic (Whistler)
Sports Science Director: Andrew Lambert (Vernon)

Photos and bios available at: http://bcalpine.com/bcst

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For More Information Contact:

Gordie Bowles, Athletic Director
604-678-3072 gordieb@bcalpine.com

Kathy Stahr, Communications
604-678-3071 kathys@bcalpine.com