Kootenay Zone athletes, coaches, volunteers and parents rallied together last weekend (January 13 & 14, 2024) to pull off the Teck Kootenay Zone Race and BC Games qualifier event, despite frigid temperatures.
Kimberley Alpine Team (KAT) and Kimberley Alpine Resort welcomed over 50 of the hardiest U14 racers from the Kootenay Zone – including Fernie Alpine Ski Team (FERNI), Golden Kicking Horse Alpine Team (GKHAT), Red Mountain Racers (REDMT) and Whitewater Ski Team (WHWTR).
With the support of Dreadnaught Racing, the operations crew at Kimberley Alpine Resort and all our volunteers – we moved through several contingency plans to complete 2 slalom runs for both women and men on Saturday, and 2 panel slalom runs for both women and men on Sunday. It was too cold to run the chairlifts, so we opted for short runs in the sunshine, during the warmest part of the afternoon. Parents shuttled athletes to the top of the course and Kimberley Alpine Resort provided a warm-up room at the base of the course for athlete staging. Incredible effort on the part of everyone!!
For the men’s events on both days, Kimberley Alpine Team swept the podium with Garrett Christie (KAT) taking 1st place both days. Keiran Bettcher (KAT) claimed 2nd place on Saturday and 3rd place on Sunday, and Sylas Welch (KAT) took 3rd place on Saturday and 2nd place on Sunday. For the women’s events on both days, it was Tessa Wever (FERNI) in 1st place and Gemma Leishman (WHWTR) in 2nd place. On Saturday, Parker Digiacomo (WHWTR) took 3rd and on Sunday, Eloise Yu (FERNI) claimed the 3rd spot.
Everyone brought a great attitude, creativity and flexibility to complete this event under extremely challenging conditions. Special thanks to Teck, BC Alpine, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies and Dreadnaught Racing for all the support.
“Mother Nature threw her best challenges at us this weekend, but the whole community – parents, athletes, race crew, volunteers and the resort – pulled together to achieve this once-in-a-lifetime race, full of fun and memories. This one certainly goes in the books as a special event. Kudos to all involved!”
Dave Nighswander, Chief of Race
Kimberley Alpine Team wishes to acknowledge the following sponsors and thank them for their support:
- Teck
- Kimberley Alpine Resort
- Dreadnaught Racing
- World Cup Supply
- Gerick Sports
- Monod Sports
- High Country Sports
- Purcell Outdoors
- Arrow and Axe
- Save-on-Foods
- Superstore
- The Bean Tree
- Stoke Market
- Sync Performance
Report and photos submitted by Fiona Dercole, KAT