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.
Two legends of Canadian ski racing from British Columbia were recently appointed to the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame.
Robert “Bob” Parsons was a prominent figure in the Canadian Alpine ski racing community. He started the C class racing program at Mount Seymour in the late 1960s and earned his credentials as an International Technical Delegate (TD) for the International Ski Federation (FIS). Parsons was the Assistant Chief of Course for the 1972 World Cup at Grouse Mountain. He went on to be Chief of Course for the 1975 World Cup and all National races held in Whistler from 1970 to 1978.
Mike Delich is an entrepreneur with a long and distinguished career in the ski industry. He founded the Red Mountain Talent Squad, a ski program that provided a foundation for many young athletes who became Canadian and World Cup champions, including Olympic gold medalist Kerrin Lee-Gartner. Delich also established structured coaching programs at Fernie and a vibrant Nancy Greene League, always involving parents in various volunteer roles.
Alpine Canada, in partnership with Mackenzie Investments, announced the second year of the ‘Mackenzie Women in Ski Racing Coaching Level Up’ program, which provides female coaches the opportunity to receive financial support to improve their coaching skills.
Last season saw 26 female coaches from seven provinces (ON, QC, NS, NB, AB, BC, SK) and Mackenzie Investments commitment of $10,000 in bursaries this season will continue to support and grow women in ski racing.
Close to 100 coaches, club executives and general members converged in Sun Peaks for a series of informative and thought-provoking meetings, workshops and conversations last weekend. A number of guest speakers stimulated conversations and updated coaches and members, who now aim to kickstart the 2024-25 ski season in a positive way.
And once again the annual awards banquet – “The Goldies” – put a bow on last season by awarding athletes, coaches, volunteers and officials in a heart-felt and memorable evening of cheers, laughs and even a few tears. The legendary skier (Canadian GOAT ski racer) Nancy Greene was on hand to present the awards at the always impressive Sun Peaks Grand Hotel and Conference Centre
“It was an incredible celebration of a great season,” said BC Alpine VP, Johnny Crichton. The dinner and presentations capped a productive three-day Member Summit, which included coach meetings, general member meetings and the official BC Alpine AGM. All said, 26 BC Alpine clubs attended the sessions.
Top photo: A highlight of the awards evening was when Kathy Stahr was presented with the President’s Awards, “for her dedication, tireless work ethic and long-term service to ski racing in British Columbia”.
