With a World Cup position on the line for next season, some of the best speed racers in North American converged in the East Kootenays at the Kimberley Alpine Resort for the Nor-Am Speed Series, under bluebird and cold condition.
Over 120 racers battled it out during two days of two-run sprint downhill races – a rare race format for this elite level of competition – followed by two super-G races featuring some World Cup level ski racers.
Kyle Alexander, a World Cup racer originally from the Whistler Mountain Ski Club, was the winner of the first two-run men’s downhill, ahead of fellow Canadian Raphael Lessard and American Mattias Wilson. The following day had a podium repeat, with Alexander taking the top spot on the box over Lessard and Wilson.
On the men’s super-G race days, Lessard moved up on the podium, putting down a blisteringly-fast time of 1:18.17, over a second ahead of Alexander and third place finisher Kyle Blandford for the Canadian podium sweep. Lessard and Alexander finished again 1-2 respectively on the final super-G race, this time within a razor-thin margin of 0.13 seconds, with Tanner Perkins of the U.S. finishing third.
On the women’s side, Haley Cutler of the U.S., was the clear winner of the first women’s one-run downhill, 1.69 seconds ahead of Annika Hunt, also from the states, followed by Shae Obrien, the fastest Canadian on the day. Cutler continued her dominance on day two, finishing over three seconds ahead of Canadian Zoe Gray and U.S. racer Viktoria Zaytseva, who finished second and third respectively.
The Dreadnaught track at Kimberley saw several weeks of speed racing action with speed camps and several downhill and super-G races. A total of over 2,000 runs were accomplished on the track, prepared but the Dreadnaught Race Crew and BC Alpine staff. (report continues below the photo gallery)
Photos by Rick Jensen
“Proper speed progression plays a crucial role in developing better technical athletes,” said Johnny Crichton, BC Alpine’s VP. “Kimberley provides an incredible environment where athletes can safely and confidently build their speed skills while learning how to stand on their skis effectively. Speed training camps and downhill training runs are vital in helping athletes gain the confidence they need, which ultimately translates into both improved performance and enhanced safety.”
Over 30 centimetres of snowfall before the event, challenged the crew but by race days the track was in impeccable race shape, icy and hard. The safe but challenging race track at Kimberley allows skiers to progress with tactics, technique and “speed confidence”.
“This track has helped develop some of the best ski racers in Canada, even in the world,” said Crichton, referring to Kitzbuhel champion Jack Crawford and World Cup winner Cameron Alexander, who both got their start into speed racing on this race track.
Race Organizers
- Race Co-Chairs: Donna & Lloyd Steeves
- Chief of Race – Gord Reese
- Chief of Course – Craig Rusnack
- Chief of Timing – Carson Damn
- BCA Technical Representative – Johnny Crichton
- ACA Representative – Duncan Gibson-Maclean
BC Alpine thanks the Kimberley Alpine Resort and the Dreadnaught Race Crew for once again providing this exceptional opportunity for the athletes.