The Mark Andreassen Memorial Ski Race on Grouse Mountain January 11/14

by Kathy Stahr | Dec 17, 2013 | Member News

At an early age Mark Andreassen became a great skier and mountain enthusiast. In 1950 at 18 years of age Mark bought a cabin on Grouse Mountain for $300 00 which he sold shares in to his good friends. At that time there was no bridge and no lifts on Grouse Mountain so the boys used to take the sea bus across from Vancouver, the street car to the top of Lonsdale then hike to the bottom of The Cut on Grouse where Mark's cabin "ICICLES" was located. It has been recorded that Grouse Mountain in those times used to receive over 20 feet of snow at the bottom of The Cut and it could take a better part of the weekend to dig the cabin out, even before they could hike to The Peak and start skiing. 

Mark joined the Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Runners Club in 1950 and enjoyed skiing, racing and the partying with the club members at the time. When Grouse Mountain put the chairlifts in on The Cut and then the Village Chair to access the mountain easily Mark decided to give up his cabin as it was much easier to go home after skiing than to work on the cabin. Mark rejoined the Tyee Ski Club in the early 1970's as his son Blake was ski racing for the club and then moved on to the Vancouver Ski Team.

Mark was a great supporter of Alpine Ski Racing in Canada and he bought Patron Ski Passes for years to support the National Ski Team and went to all the World Cup events and functions to promote our sport. 

When Whistler Village was just starting out in the early 1980's Mark bought a small one bedroom condo above Tapley’s Pub in the town center and it was very common to have 10 to 12 people staying on weekends.  

Whistler Mountain was the birth place of Masters skiing in Western Canada. The former Crazy Canucks Dave Murray, started up Masters Ski camps and the Canadian Masters Alpine Ski Series across Canada. Mark became an avid Masters Ski Racer, who would never miss a Masters Ski race he travelled all across western Canada. 

Mark and son Blake had a common love for Alpine Ski Racing. The Andreassen boys both followed the Masters circuit all over western Canada, traveled to the US Masters Nation Championships in Winter Park Colorado, Heavenly Valley, Alpine Meadows, Mammoth California and Jackson Hole Wyoming to compete. They knew everyone and made friends at every ski resort they travelled to. 

Back home at Whistler, Mark won the Dave Murray most improved Masters Racer award one year, was on several #1 winning teams at the Whistler Fantastic Over The Hill Downhill Mark Andreassen's name is on the most coveted Trophy for winning the Whistler Peak to Valley Race. His team which included Gar Robinson had the fastest combined time for the oldest age group, in the longest Giant Slalom race in the world.  

In 2013, 81 year old Mark still enjoyed skiing with Blake, on the Easy-out run on Blackcomb and his favorite run of all times – The Cut – on Grouse Mountain, which looks out over the city of Vancouver where he lived all his life.

On May 2, 2013 Mark Andreassen passed away suddenly. Family members and hundreds of Ski Racing friends, were shocked and saddened that they were unable to take that one last run with their old friend Mark. 

January 11 2014 is Race Day in Canada

Blake Andreassen along with the Grouse Mtn. Tyee Ski Club are hosting a Master's style, two run Giant Slalom Race, in Mark's honor, on Grouse Mountain where skiing all started for Mark. All funds raised by this Ski Race will be donated to the Tyee Ski Club to help support programs for young Alpine ski racers. The memorial race is a no pressure, fun event that will allow many of Mark's skiing friends to get together to reminisce and have a few beer and laughs. Following the day's race, there will be a prize draw presentations; Slide show of the old Molson Canadian Masters Alpine Series races will also be shown, along with the day s memorial race video in the Grouse Mountain Chalet.

Please come out and help celebrate the life of Mark Andreassen!

RACE NOTICE:

Event. Giant Slalom, 2 Runs. Saturday January 11, 2014 at 10:00 am

Location: Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver, BC.

Hosted by Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club – Everyone welcome! $25.00 Cdn/racer. All funds raised will be donated to the Tyee ski club to help fund programs for young Alpine Ski Racers

Entry Deadline: January 10, 2014 at 6:00pm. Any late entries will be accepted but could be subject to late fee, payable to Race Administrator

Reqistration: Registration of entries to be made through www.qrousetyee.com

Lift tickets: Discount Race Day tickets available $38.00

Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to run a great race. Please send name and phone number to Grouse Tyee Chief of Volunteers Bob Walton Race@qrousetyee.com Volunteers check in 7am at the base of Grouse Mtn.

Awards: Awards will be held on Saturday, 45 minutes after completion of the second run in the Grouse Mtn. Chalet Race orqanizinq committee: Chief of Race; Blake Andreassen blakesusanmitchell@shaw.ca Technical Delegate, Greg Williamson french93@telus.netTHE

Werry wins Nor-Am super-G; Thompson best U21 in Nor-Am super combined

by Kathy Stahr | Dec 13, 2013 | Member News

Copper Mountain, Colorado (Friday, Dec. 13, 2013) – Tyler Werry continued his stellar run on the Nor-Am circuit today with a rare Nor-Am victory in the men's super-G at Copper Mountain in one minute, 26.39 seconds, topping a strong field of U.S. Ski Team and Canadian Alpine Ski Team athletes. 

Werry, 22, who has been training with the national development team and is fresh off his first-ever World Cup start last week in Beaver Creek, Colo., proved his recent Nor-Am success (3rd place in Nor-Am giant slalom in Loveland, Colo.) was no fluke. Werry now sits third in the overall Nor-Am standings. 

"I was struggling with the downhill course here at Copper," said Werry, from the  Fernie Alpine Ski Team. "It was nice to get some more swing in the super-G today. There weren't any tricks so I was confident that good skiing would be the key to success. I felt like I executed how I wanted to, and to get a win is amazing." 

Werry was the only Canadian to stand on the super-G podium, and his slalom run wasn't bad either, landing him just off the podium in 4th position, again as top Canadian, in the super combined (one super-G and one slalom run combined). 

BC Ski Team's Broderick Thompson (Whistler Mountain Ski Club) put down the fastest slalom run of the day to secure top spot on the Junior (U21) podium in Friday's Nor-Am super combined race. 

"After making a couple mistakes in the super-G, I knew I had to go as hard as I could in the slalom," said Thompson. "The set was great and it was hero snow, so I knew I had to put it all on the line with my early start number. I felt like I had a pretty good slalom run and I am very happy with the result." 

Thompson was the third fastest Canadian, finishing 9th overall in the super combined. 

"It was a great day for the guys," said men's BC Team coach, Nick Cooper. "Awesome to see Ty get the win and Brod win the U21 super combined. Brodie (Seger) and Martin (Grasic) also had good days of super-G, moving way up and skiing really well. Unfortunately Blake (Ramsden) went out in a tricky section that claimed a lot of victims today, but he is skiing well and will be ready for tomorrow."

FIS Nor-Am Cup – Super-G, Men
COPPER MOUNTAIN, COLORADO
12/13/2013 (OFFICIAL FIS RESULTS)

FIS Nor-Am Cup – Super Combined, Men
COPPER MOUNTAIN, COLORADO
12/13/2013 (OFFICIAL FIS RESULTS)

Other BC super-G results:

RAMSDEN, Blake (DNF)
LLEWELLYN, Austin (DNF)
FRY, Steven (DNF) 

Other BC super combined results:

33  110   GRASIC, Martin  CAN U21 1:29.56 (50) 38.80 (24) 2:08.36
40  78   SEGER, Brodie  CAN U21 1:29.02 (34) 40.13 (46) 2:09.15 

BC Team’s Field, King top 15; Thompson 20th at Copper Mtn. Nor-Am downhill

by Kathy Stahr | Dec 11, 2013 | Member News

LIVE TIMING
 
Nor-Am Downhill, Wednesday, December 11/13

Women's Official FIS Results

 Congratulations to Broderick Thompson who took 3rd Junior honours!

Men's Official FIS Results
 

FLASH QUOTES:
Nick Cooper (Men's BC Ski Team Coach) – "I am really happy with the team’s progression, and the whole crew is showing lots of speed right now. Broderick showed today that he can race with the best and perform. Brodie and Blake also had good point results today and have some mistakes they can clean up for Thursday’s race. Everyone continues to work hard down here, and now we have some momentum we can ride."

Broderick Thompson (BCST/WMSC) – "I had a good plan heading into this Nor-Am downhill race and I stuck to it. I was confident with my skiing and line and it worked out well. I still have more in the tank for the 4th and final run down the Copper DH track on Thursday. I will be making a few adjustments and I am going to really go for it on my last run down this course!" 

Brodie Seger (BCST/WMSC) – "There were lots of positive things I was able to take away from my run today, but there were still a couple mistakes that I'm looking to clean up for tomorrow. I'm feeling pretty good because I know the speed is there, I just have yet to put down a clean run from top to bottom. Having said that, I've been getting faster with each day on the track, and I'm looking forward to putting everything I've got into my last run."

Mitch Smith, Courtney Hoffos take gold at opening Norquay Keurig Cup Slalom

by Kathy Stahr | Dec 9, 2013 | Member News

NEWS FROM ALBERTA ALPINE – December 8, 2013

After several weather delays due to temperatures ranging from -25 to -35 on Saturday, a small field of about 65 athletes braved the elements for the opening Keurig Cup ENL Slalom on Cascade at Norquay. The provincial FIS series, which has affectionately been referred to as the ‘coffee cup' by several of the athletes, has been rebranded this year from Van Houtte to Keurig to align with the marketing goals of title sponsor, Green Mountain Roasters Canada (GMCR). 

Saturday was a coming out party of sorts for the graduating class of U16 athletes who stormed onto the FIS scene with a vengeance. World Cup veteran skier, Paul Stutz, took the win on Saturday, with first year FIS athletes Jeffrey Read (BAR) and Keegan Sharp (PANO), taking second and third respectively. 

Amanda Smith claimed top spot in the ladies opening slalom. Georgia Burgess of Banff Alpine Racers grabbed silver, with Sarah Taylor of Lake Louise/Sunshine snagging the bronze. 

Day two of racing saw slightly warmer temperatures and sunny skies. Mitch Smith of the Revelstoke Ski Club took top spot in the Men's Slalom. Another young gun, Jared Topham (BAR), claimed the silver, with teammate Ben Wonnacott (BAR) finishing third. 

On the ladies side, Courtney Hoffos of the Windermere Valley Ski Club put together two solid runs to take the victory. Georgia Burgess claimed her second silver in as many days, with Amanda Smith rounding out the podium in third. 

Both Courtney and Mitch also earned "Most Improved" honours on Sunday!  

Alberta Alpine would like to thank the Banff Alpine Races, Norquay, and all the volunteers who persevered through challenging weather conditions to host the event. The Keurig Cup will resume December 18 to 23 at Panorama Mountain Resort. 

All official results can be found here: http://data.fis-ski.com/dynamic/event-details.html?event_id=34004&cal_su

BCST’s Grasic, Thompson top 10 & top Canadians in US Junior (U21) Slalom

by Kathy Stahr | Dec 5, 2013 | Member News

Martin Grasic (left) and Broderick Thompson (right)

COLORADO SKI CUP – NJR – Slalom, Men
USA – CO – Loveland Valley Ski Area
12/5/2013 – OFFICIAL FIS RESULTS WHEN AVAILABLE

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – LIVE TIMING:

 FLASH QUOTES:

Nick Cooper (BC Ski Team Men's Coach) – "Really happy with the way things are progressing. We have had several affirmations of speed, just not two runs in a row yet. The whole group is right there and all have worked hard over these last two demanding weeks. We are now taking two days off, resting up and preparing for the final Nor-Ams of this stretch. Stay tuned!"

Martin Grasic (BC Ski Team/Windermere Valley Ski Club) –  “I've been in Colorado for quite some time now and I am happy with how my skiing is progressing. In the past four races I liked my first runs, but unfortunately I was not able to put two clean runs together. The past two days were definitely the toughest to swallow, as I feel like I'm knocking at the door in slalom. Today was better and I am looking forward to the next Nor-Am races!”

Broderick Thompson (BC Ski Team/Whistler Mountain Ski Club) – “With my eyes set on the next Nor-Ams in Copper and Vail, I feel confident in all disciplines. I've had amazing training in speed, and some awesome tech race runs over the past couple of weeks. I'm excited for a few days of rest and then getting back to the races with fresh legs and a fresh mind.”