Another massively successful race series in Apex in the books. The four-day technical (GS and slalom) series last weekend had the weather and visibility mostly on its side, while racers age 15 to 18 raced against the clock and each other on both the legendary Old Mill Run and Okanagan Runs at Apex Mountain Resort.
One of the highlights of the event was the continuation of the Random Start Order, a relatively new approach to seeding races which is being tested across Canada. The seeding method includes a randomized approach to bib numbers – as opposed to the traditional method where athletes start based on their national points ranking.
“It’s been hugely successful so far,” said Johnny Crichton, BC Alpine VP. “It’s making the races more exciting and more importantly it replicates race environments that they will encounter as they transition into FIS-level competitions. It gives all athletes a fairer chance at better course conditions.”
Crichton mentioned the recent World Cup top 10 finish by BC Ski Team alumni Brodie Seger at Beaver Creek last month, when he started with bib 49 to finish 10th … and Cameron Alexander in 2023 when he started 63rd and finished 7th at Val Gardena, Italy, on one of the toughest World Cup super-G tracks.
“The system we used in the past has favoured early developers and top performers by allowing them to start on a fresh, well-groomed course, which typically offers better conditions,” Crichton said. “As the race progresses, the course deteriorates, and with limited maintenance after the initial group, it becomes harder, and potentially less safe, for later starters to secure a fair chance at a top 30 result.”
As for the actual racing, Tylee Carr of the Okanagan Ski Team (OST), won both slalom races and finished in second in the first girl’s GS. On the boy’s side, Rowan Smith – also of the OST – won both GS races and finished second behind teammate Takoka Ito in the first slalom race. [Link to the full results below]
The volunteer crew worked tirelessly to once again deliver a fantastic ski racing series, with the leadership of the Race Organizing Committee:
Chief of Race: Jeff Ellis (SL)
Chief of Race: David Warriner (GS)
Chief of Gates: Michael Johncox
Chief of Course: Martin Parilak and Tom Evans
Chief of Timing: Wally James
Race Administrator: Jenafor Lansel
Chief of Volunteers: Dave Gill
The Apex Ski Club, along with BC Alpine, thanks the Apex Mountain Resort for continuing to be an incredible partner of ski racing in the Okanagan and the province.
It was a beautiful clear day Red Mountain Resort as the Red Mountain Racers hosted the first NG race of the season in the West Kootenays, last Sunday.
A keen and eager large group of youngsters (120!) hit the slopes with big smiles, and some great skiing and ski racing. Teams from Whitewater, Summit Lake, Phoenix and Red Mountain were in attendance for the ever-popular dual GS down Back Trail on Red.
A big thank you to Red Mountain Resort for their assistance with this event and their continued support of the Red Mountain Racers and ski racing in the province!
The Okanagan Run delivered again! The Apex Ski Club hosted the first Teck Okanagan zone race of the season. The conditions were solid – mostly blue skies and moderate winds – as ski racers from U12 to U16 from Apex, Sun Peaks, Revelstoke, Silver Star and Big White hammered off 12 slalom races over two days. Yes, you read that correctly, 12 races over two days!
(See the full results below)
The races went smoothly and on time, thanks to an incredible group of volunteers: Chief of Race – Jeff Ellis; Chief of Gates – Michael Johncox; Chief of Course – Martin Parilak; Chief of Timing – Wally James; Race Administrator – Jenafor Lansel; Chief of Volunteers – Dave Gill.
The Apex Ski Club is very appreciative of Apex Mountain Resort for their support of the event and are looking forward to continuing their hosting duties with the Teck Open Round 1 … upcoming this week. Stay tuned for updates on that event.
Ski racers from across the Coast Zone were treated with clear and sunny skies (minus 5C) in Whistler last weekend for the season-opening U16 zones race.
Hosted by the Whistler Mountain Ski Club, the volunteers, coaches and athletes were challenged and tasked with snow removal and track preparations after some fresh snow fell on the Dave Murray National Training Centre on Ptarmigan in the days leading up to the races. By race day – a two run combined GS race – they had the track cleared with a combination of firm snow pack and a mix of snow types.
According to the race organizers, the athletes trained hard and had excellent focus on race day and that the coaches and volunteers worked well together to make this race “a memorable experience.”
Maggie Cormack, of the WMSC, had the fastest time in both runs to claim the gold medal, ahead of teammates Thea Han and Maia Harriman, who rounded out the podium. Grouse-Tyee’s Eric Krastev had a scorching second run to move from seventh into the top position, ahead of Ziggy Suchy and Pash Tehrani, both of the WMSC.
See the full race results below
A big thank you to the Whistler Mountain Ski Club and the Race Organizing Committee (ROC): Chief of Race Martin Suchy (with assistance from Carol Anne Parkhill), Chief of Course Josh Douglas, Chief of Timing Henry Voss, Race Admin Gwen Margetson, Chief of Volunteers Jenn Heyries and TD Colin Pitt Taylor.
BC Alpine today announces seven athletes named to the BC Ski Team for the 2024-25 season.
After a productive and challenging pre-season of hard work and overcoming adverse conditions and environments, these young ski racers are ready for the rigours of this important stage of their development.
Since last Spring, the BC Ski Team began with a physical conditioning base, followed by productive ski camps in Chile, South America, and recently in Sun Peaks and Panorama.
“I couldn’t be more excited to get the competitive season. The team has been pushing each other forward over the last six plus months together … our preparation period was a battle against weather and other uncontrollables, but these athletes have been adaptable and keen to take advantage of all conditions. I think we all share in the feeling that it’s time to put the clock on for real and dig into the next few months of racing.”
Morgan Pridy, BCST Head coach
Highlights:
June 11 – July 10: Centralized off-snow training in Fernie, BC.
July 30 – August 25: On-snow prep in Corralco, Chile.
Sept. 30 – Nov. 1: On-Snow prep in Corralco, Chile.
November 11–22: On-Snow prep in Sun Peaks, BC.
November 22 to current: On-Snow prep in Panorama BC.
The season for the BC Ski Team and all FIS athletes will officially kick off in Panorama, first with the Nor-Am races beginning December 10th and then the FIS Christmas Series from Dec. 17-20, 2024.
“I’ve had the chance to spend some time with this team during the preseason, and I’m genuinely impressed with their progress and development,” said Johnny Crichton, BC Alpine VP. “The coaching staff – Morgan, Dillon, and Eric – have done an excellent job tailoring each athlete’s program to match the goals they’ve set together. It’s clear that everyone is putting in the work, and the effort is paying off.”
Congratulations to the following athletes.
BC Ski Team
Women:
Alexa Brownlie (2005) Whistler Mountain Ski Club (Whistler)
Jasmine Coubrough (2006) Vernon Ski Club / OST (Salmon Arm)
Hannah Jensen (2007) Whistler Mountain Ski Club
Thea Torn (2007) Whistler Mountain Ski Club
Left to right: Jasmine Coubrough, Hannah Jensen, Thea Torn, Alexa Brownlie
Men:
Baptiste Cais (2005) Fernie Alpine Ski Team (Field)
Dylan Stevens (2004) Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club (North Vancouver)
Oliver Young (2004) Vernon Ski Club/Okanagan Ski Team (Coldstream)
Left to right: Oliver Young, Dylan Stevens, Baptiste Cais
BCST Coaches:
Morgan Pridy, Head Coach
Eric Schwenk, Assistant Coach
Dillon Prophet, Assistant Coach
Photos by Andrea Heath, during a BCST training camp in Sun Peaks.
