There’s nothing quite like a firm surface for ski racing – and Panorama delivered exactly that.
The first Kootenay Zone race of the season at Panorama Mountain Resort and hosted by the Windermere Valley Ski Club, welcomed more than 160 ski racers aged 12–16 to frigid temperatures, blue skies, and a rock-hard racing surface.
“It was like a World Cup–injected surface,” said Brianne Leeman, a Windermere Valley Ski Club volunteer. “The conditions were tough, especially for the younger U12 athletes, but with sunshine every day and consistent surfaces, it was very fair racing for everyone.”
The U12 athletes tackled an impressive 12 timed runs over three days, including four slalom (SL), four giant slalom (GS), and four kombi runs. U14 and U16 racers competed in three SL and two GS races, with four timed runs on Friday and Saturday, followed by two more on the final day.
By the end of the weekend, nearly 2,000 timed runs had been completed over three days—an incredible accomplishment made possible by a highly dedicated race crew and volunteer team. The U14 races also served as a BC Winter Games qualifier, making the consistent and fair conditions even more critical.
BC Alpine extends its thanks to the race organizers and volunteers who made the event possible: Race Chair Joanne Bragg, Chief of Timing James Ritchie, Chiefs of Race Craig Rusnak and Gary Foster, Race Administrator Judy Dickson, and Volunteer Coordinator Nancy Christie.
