BC Alpine announced eight returning ski racers – and two new additions – to the BC Training Group, a major stepping stone towards BC Ski Team selection.
Four skiers met full qualification standards, while the others will be working over the preparation phase to be named to the BC Ski Team for the 2023-24 season (announcement in November). See the complete training roster below.
The Training Group, which represents five ski clubs across the province – Fernie Alpine Ski Team, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Grouse-Tyee Ski Club, Big White Racers and the Vernon Ski Club – are now focussed on fitness and pre-season training.
“This time of year is all about building trust and connection between coach and athletes,” said BC Alpine VP Johnny Crichton. “Find the limits and work together to extend them. It’s all about communication and support through physical challenges to prep the team for the long, arduous season. We have a great crew of coaches and athletes who are fully dedicated to becoming champions!”
Women’s group building culture
The women’s training group is kicking off the offseason with a training camp in Fernie through July. “This is where the team comes together to push out of their comfort zone, solidify themselves as a team and build a strong culture as well as explore a new community in BC,” said women’s head coach Montana Molyneux.
Coach Monty is excited to build on the progress from last season. “The returning athletes from the training group have created an environment that fosters respect, focus, hard work and fun which will be exciting for our newest training group athlete Jasmine. Together this group can continue to challenge each other to grow as athletes and teammates.”
“They will be ready to push out of the start gate whether that be Nor-Ams or BC cups and have full confidence that they’ve done everything to find success!”
The women’s group have a significant fitness focus from June to August with the first on snow camp scheduled for September in Chile, followed by indoor training session in October in Germany and then pre-season prep in North America in November.
Men’s group building on foundation
The men’s team is centralized in Fernie for July, where they are “dedicating this time together to push as a team and form the base needed to thrive during on snow prep,” said men’s head coach Morgan Pridy. Pridy is full of optimism regarding the development of the team.
“It’s very exciting to have the core group of guys back for the new season,” he said. “They worked hard last year to build up a strong foundation and also discovered the demands of a full Nor-am schedule. The group is hungry and has set high expectations moving forward.”
According to Pridy, the addition of Baptiste Cais to the training group will be a great opportunity for him and also the team to push his teammates.
From August to mid-October the men’s group will be back and forth between South America and home, working through on-snow skills and continuing fitness progressions.
* Two skiers from last season’s provincial group will not be rejoining the BCST this season. Heming Sola, of Summerland and the Apex Ski Club, who dazzled last season with strong performances will continue ski racing and pursuing academics at Dartmouth. Tait Jordan, of North Van and the Whistler Mountain Ski Club is pursuing options for post secondary education while completing his rehab (ACL) and growing his entrepreneurial endeavours.
BC Ski Team (qualified)
Dylan Timm (2002) Fernie Alpine Ski Team (Fernie)
Sascha Gilbert (2004) Whistler Mountain Ski Club (Whistler)
Dylan Stevens (2004) Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club (North Vancouver)
Oliver Young (2004) Vernon Ski Club/Okanagan Ski Team (Coldstream)
BC Women’s Training Group
Mila Plavsic (2004) Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club (Vancouver)
Alexa Brownlie (2005) Whistler Mountain Ski Club (Whistler)
Erin Husken (2005) Whistler Mountain Ski Club (North Vancouver)
Shayna Little (2005) Big White Ski Club/Okanagan Ski Team (Kelowna)
Jasmine Coubrough (2006) Vernon Ski Club / OST (Salmon Arm)
BC Men’s Training Group
Baptiste Cais (2005) Fernie Alpine Ski Team (Field)
The “Canadian Ski Racing Awards of Excellence” nomination period has been extended to June 4th, 11:59 pm (PST)
“Alpine Canada is committed to promoting excellence within its sport and across all involved stakeholders. Through these annual awards, Alpine Canada wishes to celebrate and recognize individuals and organizations that transcend the spirit of excellence, performance, and community we wish to foster within our sport.” – Alpine Canada Awards Committee
The following awards are open for public nominations:
• Coach of the Year – Domestic Programs – Female • Coach of the Year – Domestic Programs – Male • Volunteers of the Year • Nancy Greene Builder Award
Selection: BC Alpine Awards Committee makes the final selection for this award
5. Moira Jaatteenmaki Officials’ Award
Criteria:
A continued dedication to the Officials’ program and the sport of ski racing by serving as a committed BC Alpine Official over a period of several seasons
As a result of his or her contributions, this Official has helped ski racing continue at the highest level in the province, offering participating athletes the best opportunities for advancement in their pursuit of excellence in the sport.
Selection: BC Alpine awards committee makes the final selection for this award.
7. Coach Awards
We know there are many outstanding and dedicated coaches who keep the clubs going and the athletes fit and motivated. We will be recognizing them too! A committee of Program Directors and Coaches, along with BC Alpine, will honour coaches in the following categories:
*Awarded to one athlete OR $250 each to one male and one female athlete
Criteria
U16 level athletes only
Financial need
Potential to rise to the top of ski racing in Canada
Recommendation to BC Alpine by coach or other club representative
About the Award: The Ski Canada Bursary is available for not-for-profit ski organizations and groups across Canada.
Application/Nomination: Submit via BC Alpine Website http://bcalpine.com/awards/. Selection BC Alpine awards committee makes final selection for this award
4. Cary Mullen Award
Criteria: This athlete has displayed the most sportsmanlike conduct
Sun Peaks Resort once again provided the perfect backdrop, plenty of snow, yet great training conditions when it hosted 52 female-identifying athletes from all over B.C., who participated in the high-productive 3-day Girls Fast Forward (GFF) camp.
The skiers all put in a solid effort on hill, according to GFF Head Coach Montana “Monty” Molyneux. The first day, they were put to the test in a GS training session followed by a snowy slalom/powder day, where they inspected new courses with alongside special guest World Cup ski racers. The final on-hill session featured a slalom and panelled dual slalom.
In total, seven GFF lead coaches worked with the four World Cup Canadian ski racers, as well as two coaches from younger age groups, to manage, inspire and instruct the lucky U16 and FIS racers. The overarching goal was to create stronger bonds within the racing community for incoming U16 and FIS aged athletes.
“We worked hard on building a platform on top of the skis and found how to have an athletic position through the turn in all disciplines.”
Coach Monty
Off the hill, the athletes participated in video tech talks by Canadian World Cup ski racers Stef Fleck, Cassidy Gray and Britt Richardson. In addition, the full schedule featured a Mental Training session on empowering thoughts, goal setting and working through adversity, a “hardcore” core session & mobility, and a body scan and balance session. In the evening, they listened to an athlete panel with Canadian team athletes and BC Women’s Training group athletes as well as a coaches panel on the coaching pathway in BC with our Lead GFF coaches.
The GFF camp also had plenty of laughs and fun, including the camp wrap up Improv Skit Night and some camp take aways. “The last day was high energy with many campers and coaches in bright and retro gear!” said Coach Monty.
All photos by Ivey Norton
“Every year I look forward to the GFF camp, and from year to year it is a little different,” said Coach Monty. “This years group was so much fun to coach. They adapted to challenging environments and worked hard. Our athlete-coaches were awesome and our all-female coaching staff made the camp very special. It’s hard to pick just one memory from the camp. The video tech talk with Stef, Cass and Brit was next level. Our “hardcore Core” session was awesome and the improv coach skits were in my top activities. I’m so excited that we have been able to continue to build a community of strong female leaders and that we can have the chance to come together, connect and share.”
