Coast Zone Women in Sport update; Celebrating International Women’s Day

by Kathy Stahr | Mar 8, 2019 | Member News

In the spirit of International Women’s Day, March 8th, 2019, we share an update on the Coast Zone Women in Sport working group, formed in the fall of 2017 with a purpose to foster Community, Pathway and Inspiration.

On Monday Feb 25th we held our second Women in Sport meeting with Danielle Robson as moderator. This meeting was used as a mid-season check-in with our female coach community to find out how the season is going to-date, and allow us to discuss pieces which have helped or hindered growth and development. Highlighted success so far this season, two members have moved up to coach older age groups, and another received the course set job during our latest FIS race. Each little win grows confidence and highlights the positive impact we have on sport.

Our guest speaker for the evening was Leslie Clarke who spoke on Leadership. Leslie's sport CV is impressive as she has progressed through many ranks; Coaching with the WMSC, Program Director for Cypress and Whistler, Athletic development director for BC Alpine, Head Coach for the Canadian Para Alpine national team and most recently, moving over to multi sport, overseeing sport development for CSI in Whistler. Leslie is now following her passion, embarking on a career as a mentor, leadership-coach, currently working as such for Mike Janyk, program director of the Grouse Tyee ski club.   

Her presentation focused on what we inherit in our roles as leaders and the practice of deliberate leadership. She highlighted the importance of providing adequate training so we can successfully develop our skills and empower others to then gain the necessary experience. As leaders we must be willing to pass the torch, allow for mistakes to be made and be aware of collaboration, communication, creativity and innovation to create quality. 

Our main takeaway was a need for shadowing opportunities for new coaches to learn from more experienced coaches, and for the more experienced coaches to be given experience opportunities in key positions. We have tasked ourselves to work with the other program directors to create some cross mentor/mentee opportunities within the zone during the Spring and Summer camps.

Our next meeting is set for April 29th 6pm-8:30pm in North Vancouver. Please let this stand as an open invitation to all Zone and Provincial female coaches; the more who come, the stronger and more creative we become! For more information please feel free to contact Catherine Grant, Vice President and Chair of Women and Sport, Grouse Tyee vice.president@grousetyee.com

Photo: Shannon Smith (WMSC FIS Coach) and Montana Molyneux (FAST U16 Head Coach)

Sun & fun for all at NGSL event hosted by Golden Kicking Horse Alpine Team

by Kathy Stahr | Mar 7, 2019 | Member News

On Sunday March 3, 130 Nancy Greene racers from Kicking Horse, Kimberley, and Fernie came together at Kicking Horse for GKHAT’s annual NGSL event. It was a cold and bluebird day as athletes headed out to inspect the panelled glalom and ski cross courses. All the volunteers and athletes were happy that the power of the sun was strong and before long the temperature was comfortable enough for all to enjoy a great day of racing in the sun.

We decided to try a new format this year, moving from the traditional GS race of years past, with medals and ribbons for the top 10, to an awards ceremony with no ranked results. At the awards ceremony all the athletes were called up on stage with their team and all received “Racer” ribbons. The glalom was timed, partially for our timing crew to stay in shape, but also to maintain the race feel and for athletes to look at their own times and compare run to run. Results were published and sorted alphabetically by athlete with year of birth removed. The ski cross was a 'just-for-fun' format with all athletes from U6 to U12 having a blast racing their friends, and even their parents and coaches!

The ultimate goal of this shift was to put the focus of athletes and parents on building motivation to race with a love for the sport, and the intrinsic reward of a good performance. We want to facilitate race events where the kids can actually focus on enjoying the event with fun and friends, while gaining comfort with the environment of race day and the added motivation to perform. Some were skeptical at first, citing that many kids are motivated to get better because of the positive reinforcement from winning. Our view is that the few for whom the podium is within reach, and a good motivator, will still get the positive feedback (a good run feels good, medal or not), and that the positive experience for the rest of the field to have fun, and not be discouraged, will mean that they enjoy race days more and will stay in racing longer, giving themselves time to strive for podiums once they reach racing at the zone level.

Overall, feedback from families and visiting coaches has been positive! Everybody enjoyed the relaxed vibe of the day while keeping the environment of a race day with bibs, timing, banners, awards, and everything else. It certainly didn’t hurt that we were able to start awards almost immediately after the racing was complete. The ceremony was quick and fun and did not drag on super long when families wanted to hit the road.

We are already planning ways to make this event better and more fun next year, with a friendly and fun-filled competitive environment. Hope to see you there!

~ Report submitted by Ryan Ford, Head Coach GKHAT

Whitewater hosts Teck Kootenay Zone slalom; hero Bobby Swan thrills crowd!

by Kathy Stahr | Mar 6, 2019 | Member News

March 2^nd and 3^rd 2019 – The Teck Kootenay Zone Race at Whitewater Resort, Nelson, BC has come and gone, but the excitement is yet to wind down for all those involved. 117 skiers and their families traveled from Lake Louise, Kimberley, Fernie, Rossland, and Golden to test their skills in four races spread across two days.

Saturday and Sunday both dawned clear and cold, with perfect bluebird skies and firm chalk on Bonanza—a classic Whitewater groomer easily visible from the base lodge. The slalom track started gently on a sunny bench before taking a hairpin left turn into the shadows and plunging straight down to valley bottom. A combination of gates, stubbies, and panels challenged all 117 skiers through four races, bringing U12, U14, U16, and Masters level athletes together for a weekend of sportsmanship, competition, and big fun. Behind the scenes, a small army of tireless volunteers worked ten hour shifts to solve problems, support the racers, and keep everyone safe.

Saturday night featured a kids’ awards banquet and volunteer appreciation event at The Hume Hotel in downtown Nelson. Sunday afternoon saw athletes take to a snowy podium at the Whitewater base area, where they were wreathed in medals and ribbons by the legendary Bobby Swan—who, along with Leigh Brousson, competed in the Masters category.

The Whitewater Ski Team wishes to thank the many dedicated coaches, volunteers, ski patrol, and Whitewater Ski Resort for the truly unbelievable level of support they continue to show our young athletes. Until next year, as we say on the Whitewater Ski Team—RIP IT UP!

~ Report submitted by Graham Tracey, Whitewater Ski Team 

U12 Race Results – Ladies 

Paneled SL 1

Paneled SL 2

Stubbies SL 1

Stubbies SL 2



U12 Race Results – Men 

Paneled SL 1

Paneled SL 2

Stubbies SL 1

Stubbies SL 2

Canada Winter Games Wrap-up; Reflections from Team BC Athletes & Coaches

by Kathy Stahr | Mar 5, 2019 | Member News

MORE PHOTOS HERE

“As I sit here reflecting on the 2019 Canada Winter Games for Team BC Alpine and Para Alpine, I can barely remember what happened because I think the constant -38-degree temperatures froze my brain. I’ve had brain freeze before, but I figured rolling on the floor beating on the side of my head wouldn’t help me here, so I decided to ask the team for quotes on their impressions of the Games experience. Here's what they said!” – Johnny Crichton, BC Alpine VP and Team BC Coach

“Once in a lifetime experience” – David Wood 10^th in GS

“I’ll never forget it.” – Heming Sola Gold SL, Bronze SX  

“Timeless memories and an adventure like none other” – Adam Usher 11^th in SL

“Lifelong friends and memories created” – Taylor Nellis, 10^th in SG

“The games were exciting, as a coach, to bring together U16’s from all over BC and help each one challenge themselves on and off the race hill to be better, bring intensity and have purpose. It gave athletes a chance to find a higher level of performance, no matter what their results.  Oh, and risk it for the biscuit.” – Montana Molyneux, Team BC Coach

“Such a fun experience and cool meet athletes from across Canada.” – Jaden Dawson, best result 6^th in SL

“It was an awesome experience and made better by having friendly teammates.” – Justin Johnson – Sit Skier

“It was inspiring to see all the athletes go through highs and lows throughout the week and continue to push themselves and learn from their experiences. The passion from the coaches was palpable and made it an incredible team to work with.”  – Alana See, Team BC Mission Staff

“An amazing opportunity to see how a community comes together to put on an event that brings people from all over the country together. It was also a great way to meet new people and see how skiing brings us all together.” – Noa Hooton, Best result 12^th in SL

“Seeing the high level of skiing across Canada was very motivational.” – Noa Rogers, Best result 7^th in SL

“It was a big eye opener.” – Sara Stiel, best result 11^th SL

“To have attended the CWG’s with such an accomplished group of coaches and diverse coaching staff was refreshing and revitalizing. The memories will be everlasting!” – Daimion Applegath, Team BC Coach

“It was a great experience to meet amazing athletes from across Canada.” – Charlotte Gibson, 23^rd in SG

“It was super fun to race against the best racers from every province.” – Matthias Shorter, 12^th in GS

“A unique opportunity for both coaches and athletes to learn from and inspire all provinces to try and excel in our sport in more ways than on the ski hill.” – Katie Spittlehouse, Team BC Coaching Staff

“It was a real eye opener to see what its like to be apart of an event of this magnitude.” – Ben Jacoby, 13^th in GS

“That week was a reminder of what it takes; becoming the best and being a good athlete is much more than the moment you perform. it takes more than working hard in your run to be good. You have to work hard constantly on things like stretching, eating well, getting proper rest, fundamentals and practice year-round.”  – Brynn Applegath, best result 8^th in Slalom

“Seeing the Alpine Team BC Athletes and Coaches at Nakiska was one of my highlights for sure! Cheering on the athletes loud and proud from mid-course made me feel so proud of all their performances. We were even able to fill that donut hole and nail some medals on that day as well.” – Carolyn Boomer, Team BC Mission Staff.

“It was a great opportunity to meet and compete against the best from Canada.” – Chase Burn, 6^th in SL

“For somebody who has never experienced the Canada Games before, it completely met and exceeded all my expectations. It was really cool to be part of the closing ceremonies alongside all my Team BC athletes and staff.”- Logan Leach, Visually Impaired Silver Medalist

Missing Quote from Caele Kassa, Logan’s Guide, VI Silver Medalist  

“Great experience to test yourself against the best in the country, and fuel for new motivation.” – Fiona McInnes, 28^th in SG

“One of the things we generally lack in training sessions is intensity. Kids rarely bring the intensity to their training sessions that is required in competition, so when it’s provided by the environment, they don’t know how to react or how to match it. The intensity must match their skill-set and both need to be constantly trained. These games showed our team the current level of intensity that certain kids from parts of the country bring to their skiing and we leave these games with a renewed vigor to put towards our training – Johnny Crichton (5^th, in coaching😊)

COMPLETE RESULTS HERE

Mt. Baldy Cup Cake Race a big hit with the Okanagan NGSL racers and families

by Kathy Stahr | Mar 4, 2019 | Member News

Is it about the cupcakes” or the “ski racing? That was the question the club racers from Sun Peaks, Harper, Big White, Silver Star and Apex had on their minds. The Mt. Baldy Alpine Club kids had the answer. 

On March 2nd and 3rd the Mt. Baldy Alpine Club hosted the Okanagan Nancy Greene Ski League Zone Finals at Baldy Mountain Resort. 144 racers in the U6, U8, U10 and U12 categories competed, AND enjoyed delicious cup cakes at the end of the each day!

The first day started off under blue skies in the AM on the Tennings race course, and then the snow came down just in time for the 2nd run. Big flakes accumulated overnight to 23 cm, and we all woke up to a beautiful Baldy bluebird Sunday. The smiles on the parents' faces said it all after their first powder run at Baldy, while the course workers prepared for a 10 AM start. The races could not have gone more smoothly, with 77 racers finished in under a hour, giving everyone more time to ski powder. The 2nd run started on time at 1 PM and was also completed in less than an hour. That meant more powder skiing for all, because at Baldy there's enough powder for everyone.

It was a fantastic two days of racing, and yes, the cupcakes were devoured and appreciated by every racer, course worker and parent. At the awards ceremony I asked a young racer who was on the podium (and still finishing his cupcake), "so what was the best part of your day, racing or cupcakes?". He just smiled and kept chewing on the cupcake, that was my answer!  

Big THANK YOU to all our sponsors: Baldy Mountain Resort, OKAPED, Fresh Air Experience, Stay Tuned Sports, Delicious Japanese Bistro, Highland Logging Ltd., Miradoro Restaurant at Tinhorn Creek, Falcon Equipment and Tom Zeeman. 

~ Report submitted by Paul Rauhala, MBAC President

Thanks also to Sandra Smith and Andrew Zwicker for all the great photos – enjoy them HERE