Boys from Big White on U14 podium, 2019 Sunridge (AB) Ski Cross Challenge

by Kathy Stahr | Jan 14, 2019 | Member News

The Sunridge Alpine Ski Team hosted the fourth annual Sunridge Ski Cross Challenge from Friday through Sunday at the Sunridge Ski area on the edge of Strathcona County, an event sanctioned by both the Alberta Alpine Ski Association and Alpine Canada Alpine; the 2019 Western Ski Cross Series and Alpine Canada Alpin Mens and Ladies Ski Cross.

The race organizing committee extended a welcome to more than 150 athletes to this international caliber event, which last year brought in skiers from as far away as Japan and Great Britain, as well as from all over North America.

This year’s event brought competitors from  Australia and China!

“Ski cross is a thrilling spectator sport because of its unique combination of technically challenging terrain and head-to-head racing. Racers use a combination of skills in this head-to-head competition pumping over rollers, banked turns and jumps — all executed with attitude. Private-funded venues provide immeasurable support for aspiring young athletes-in-training like our Next Generation Canada Ski Cross Team. Huge thanks to Ian Bakker, along with his team at Sunridge Ski Area, for providing the facility and building and maintaining the course.”

Race 1 on Saturday, Jan 12th (photo below)

U14 Men – Finley Cashin – Big White Ski Club (1^st), Owen Heard (2^nd), Ben Hare – Big White Ski Club (3^rd) and Markus Hamm – Red Mountain Racer (4^th) – coached by, and trained with, Big White Ski Club at this event

Race 2 on Sunday, Jan 13th (photo below)

• U14 Men – Ben Hare – Big White Ski Club (1^st), Finley Cashin – Big White Ski Club (2^nd), Markus Hamm – Whitewater/Big White (3rd) and Owen Heard (4^th)

Serwa and Jepsen among Athlete of the Year finalists announced by Sport BC

by Kathy Stahr | Jan 12, 2019 | Member News

VANCOUVER, BC (January 11, 2019) — Sport BC, on behalf of the BC Sport community, proudly announces the outstanding amateur athletes, coaches, and officials, named as finalists for 14 of the 18 award categories to be presented at the upcoming Athlete of the Year Awards. We are proud to be the longest standing sport recognition event in Canada and this year signifies a historic achievement for sport with our 53rd anniversary.
 

Sport BC 2019 Athlete of the Year Award Finalists 

Senior Female Athlete of the Year

• Rachel Cliff (Vancouver) – Athletics
• Shallon Olsen (Surrey) – Gymnastics
• Kelsey Serwa (Kelowna) – Freestyle Ski

Athlete with a Disability

• Tristan Smyth (Maple Ridge) – Para-Athletics
• Mollie Jepsen (West Vancouver) – Para-Alpine
• Tristen Chernove (Cranbrook) – Para-Cycling

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Sun Peaks, Teck Open Series, January 10 to 13

by Kathy Stahr | Jan 4, 2019 | Member News

The Sun Peaks Alpine Club is looking for volunteers for the upcoming Teck Open Series race being held at Sun Peaks from January 10th to 13th.

They need gate judges and hand timers. Parents, come on out and enjoy some seriously good skiing from the "front row"!! 

Please follow this link to volunteer http://alpinepoints.ca/volunteer/2536/

•  lunches will be provided

•  there is a volunteer social (snacks and refreshments) on Saturday afternoon after the race

•  no need to purchase a lift ticket, they'll give you one

•  no prior experience required

• for more information contact Melanie Ross at melanie.ross@kjross.com.au 

BC Athletes shine at Alberta Cup FIS GS & SL races, Dec 18 to 21 at Panorama

by Kathy Stahr | Dec 21, 2018 | Member News

Marcus Athans 3rd U19 Podium (above)

Myles Kowaczyk 2nd U19 GS Podium (above)

 
Myles Kowalczyk U19 SL silver medal

BC Alpine unveils updated Strategic Plan & Direction in time for New Year

by Kathy Stahr | Dec 20, 2018 | Member News

Christmas greetings from BC Alpine to all of you who are making a difference in the lives of young athletes every day – inspiring skiers for life and creating opportunities to become world class athletes. Another year has passed, and I am confident that we are moving in the right direction as a sport and PSO here in BC, even though it has been a tough year for some in the alpine ski racing world.

Normally around Christmas time it is appropriate to talk about the highlights of the year that has passed, but this year I would like to take the opportunity to talk about the future.

During the past year BC Alpine has been reviewing and updating our Strategic Plan to guide us through the next four seasons. Now that the plan is updated we are ready to move BC Alpine, our members and the sport of alpine ski racing into the future.

A strategic plan is a tool used to set goals and priorities, focus energy and resources, and ensure that we are all working toward common goals. It also defines who we are, our values, our vision and mission as a sport organization, and it creates accountability and structure around our work.

We have set four main goals for the next four years (2018/19 through 2021/22):

1. To maintain a strong profile and increase the vitality of alpine ski racing in BC:
   It is our job as a provincial sport organization (“PSO”) to provide an overarching structure for our sport to assist our member clubs with developing and delivering high quality programming. We also must communicate the competitive, recreational and lifestyle benefits of ski racing to our communities. This is a big task, and to measure our success we want to see a ski club in every ski community in BC; a strong, modern and recognizable brand; a comprehensive media plan and strong alumni engagement by 2022.

2. To provide leadership in the delivery of high-quality coaching and officiating in BC:
   Education is critical to the further development of our sport. We must make sure every coach in the province has the necessary support and access to training and certification. We commit to delivering consistent and well-structured education programs. Parallel to that, we will ensure our officials receive the training they need to deliver safe, fair and top-quality races. By 2022 we would like to see 400 registered coaches in BC (minimum 40% female), all coaches enrolled in professional development, and more than 150 active and trained level 2 Officials.

3. To be the “go to” sport for developing athletic excellence:
   We are in the “business” of alpine ski racing and providing athletes with opportunities to develop to the national teams and beyond. BC has a great history of producing skiers who achieve international success. We strive to always have the highest provincial representation on the national ski team; three top-10 results annually at Nor-Am races by our provincial team, and to show a 40% growth in registered athletes from Nancy Greene Ski League to Masters’ racing by 2022.

4. To increase our financial viability:
   As the governing body for alpine ski racing in BC we commit to being transparent and to running responsible operations in the best interest of our members and the sport. We will maintain a balanced financial performance, show a 60% increase in annual revenue from sponsorship and fundraising initiatives by 2022, and have two new revenue streams.

We are excited to have completed our four-year plan and look forward to working with you to achieve the key objectives described within it.

View the entire BC Alpine 2018-2022 Strategic Plan document online.

Thank you all for the passion and commitment you have to this sport, and on behalf of BC Alpine and myself I wish you all a Merry Christmas, a snowy season and I hope to see you on the hill in the new year.

Anders Hestdalen
CEO · BC Alpine Ski Association
“Inspire skiers for life and develop world-class athletes”