It was a classic Grouse Mountain Tyee ski race. The U8/U10 Coast Zone event was fun, efficient and of course wet. Over 200 young skiers from Cypress, Seymour, Whistler and Hemlock ski clubs joined the Tyee racers in braving the rain for the season-opener U8/U10 Skill Event, January 25, 2020.
Image: Blue Rabbit Photography
The race-day main event was a dual Glalom with a combined 2 run-time. This was the first race of the season, so for a number of these skiers it was also the first race of their careers. Tyee U8 Head Coach Marouska Smith was impressed with how the first-time racers handled themselves.
"Those kids who were encountering a race environment for the first time came away more confident and happy to have overcome their nerves and fears."
Smith said she’s also seeing an overall change in the level of competition across all the clubs in the region.
"The caliber of skiing among the young athletes in the Coast Zone is improving."
Image: Blue Rabbit Photography
It’s become basically mandatory to include some fun stuff for these younger racers. Usually a combi, jump and speed trap are part of these already busy and somewhat chaotic days. This is the 2nd year the Tyee Ski Club decided to roll these events into one. A few gates take the little rippers into a jump followed by a tuck speed trap. It’s a great way to condense the activities while keeping the thrilling things. Of course the kids absolutely love it!
“Stubbies goes into gates then a jump where you have to tuck mid-air and then tuck to the finish. It was really fun!” said Tyee first year U10 Xavier Kuss.
Image: Blue Rabbit Photography
The Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club couldn’t put on successful events like this without the sponsors. A special thanks to Anthem Properties, Park Shore BMW, Sage Cabinetry and North Shore News.
~ submitted by Michael Kuss