(Above left) U19 Canadian Championships Nakiska (day 1) DH podium – 1st Max Kirshenblatt (BCST/WMSC); 2nd Kyle Alexander (BCST/WMSC); 3rd Reece Howden (Apex Ski Club)
(Above right) U19 Canadian Championships Nakiska (day 1) DH podium – 1st Sierra Smith (QC); 2nd Kennedy Bokenfohr (AB); 3rd Soleil Patterson (BCST/Red Mountain)
FLASH QUOTES:
Max Kirshenblatt: "It was a pretty sweet race day out there today. I woke up this morning feeling good and was able to transfer that into my race run. It was fun to battle it out with Kyle and the rest of the field. Thanks to the hard working volunteers and course crew who made for a great race!"
Kyle Alexander: "Great race today, the track ran really well. I felt good this morning and the past few days in training so I didn't really need to change much going into the race. Looking forward to another DH tomorrow, it should be fun."
Soleil Patterson: "I pushed hard today, but unfortunately I made a pretty costly mistake that bumped me back. It wasn't exactly the result I was looking for. I'm definitely hungry for the win tomorrow!"
Nick Cooper (BCST head coach): "It was a really solid team day, both girls were pushing hard after good training runs, and unfortunately made a couple mistakes that cost them a bit too much. Still happy for Soleil to get a U19 top 3 after her 3rd at Canadian senior nationals earlier this year. The guys had an excellent day, they have shown some really solid skiing lately and happy to have Max and Kyle put it together in the race. It's a great start to the U19's and we hope to keep if going throughout the week!"
The 5-day event is being Livestreamed on Youtube via Shaw TV Calgary.