by Kathy Stahr | Aug 24, 2018 | Member News
Olympic medals and countless skiers for life, wow, thanks Rio Tinto!
For 23 years Rio Tinto was a major sponsor of the Nancy Greene Ski League (NGSL), and according to Gareth Manderson, general manager, Rio Tinto BC Works, “It’s a long-standing sponsorship we’ve been very happy to be a part of; especially when an alumni of the program comes home from the Olympics with a gold medal.”
Kelsey Serwa became a household in February at the PyeongChang Olympics when she picked up a gold medal in the “Ladies' Ski Cross” event. Her second Olympic medal and one of 29 won by Canada at the Korean Games.
As a young girl growing up in the Okanagan, Kelsey was fortunate that her parents (both skiers) wanted her to follow their passion and enrolled her in the NGSL. “My ski racing career literally began in the Rio Tinto Nancy Greene Ski League! I remember heading up to my home mountain, Big White, with my family on weekends. This is where my love for skiing really started. It was a bunch of friends out in a big group running through the trees, sometimes we’d ski gates, we’d ski moguls, we’d hit jumps one after the other to see who could do the best spread eagle. Those days really established the foundation for my career because it made skiing fun right off the bat in a really safe learning environment.”
As she grew older, Kelsey’s dedication to skiing led her to the Big White Racers program and onto the BC Ski Team and the National Ski Team in Alpine. In 2008 she switched to Ski Cross and quickly became a World Champion including a 2 time X-Games gold medalist, an Olympic silver medalist and an Olympic gold medalist. “I definitely owe much of my success to the great start I got in the Rio Tinto Nancy Green Ski League,” she claims.
Corporate sponsorship of programs like the NGSL can be like watching a forest you've planted grow. Occasionally one tree will tower above the others, and many more will certainly flourish and thrive!
"The NGSL is our most important race program", said BC Alpine General Manager Anders Hestdalen. "It is at the entry level (ages 4 to 11) that we see our largest membership numbers, and where lifelong friendships and a love for the sport develop. The young people joining the Nancy Greene Ski League learn superior skiing skills while enjoying BC's mountain playgrounds with the whole family! I am confident that many companies would find the NGSL attractive and jump at an opportunity to support entry level ski racing in BC. We make skiers for life and some of the best skiers in the world who go on to win World Cup and Olympic medals. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?”
For more information please contact Anders at andersh@bcalpine.com
by Kathy Stahr | Aug 14, 2018 | Member News
BC Ski Team Summer Training Group ladies hiking at Garibaldi Provincial Park (l to r) Morgan Pridy, Nicole Mah, Ella Renzoni, Frances MacDonald
July was a big month for the whole crew. We tried our best to expose the athletes to a wide variety of challenges on the physical side of things, and they stepped up to meet each activity with a determination that I found admirable. To compliment the heavy workload, the team was also challenged in other ways, such as cooking classes with Whistler chef Alex Tavouchis. They currently make some great sous chefs, and with a little more practice (and perhaps if Tavouch lets them keep the chefs hats), they will be ready to fuel up with delicious meals this winter!
BC Team Summer Training Group in the kitchen with chef Alex Tavouchis
We also had some great guest appearances to bring in a broader spectrum of knowledge and movement. 'Mystery Mike' with our very own Mr. Janyk was back in full force this year. He blended movement, activation, awareness, and his own experience to help equip the team with a few more tools to handle performance. The big boss, Anders Hestdalen from BC Alpine, made an appearance to lead a more ski specific movement session that he developed while working with the Norgies (in Norway). I think the team thought they were in for a nice relaxed workout, but Anders shattered that pretty quickly. Lastly Tammy McKinnon was a weekly feature, leading yoga sessions that she would tailor to the athletes' level of fatigue, or areas of need, or to my request that we should do core yoga until they couldn't anymore…
BC Team Summer Training Group men mountain biking in the Chilcotins (l to r) Kyle Alexander, Myles Kowalczyk, Marcus Athans
By the end of the camp everyone needed a little break from gym and grindy routine of the previous four weeks. The men headed to the Chilcotins for a bike trip, and the women packed up camping gear and headed to Garibaldi for marathon hike trip.
BC Team Summer Training Group – Medicine Ball Volley
Every few days Nick would call me to check in and see how things were going. My answer usually was "these are some tired pups", and that was a big part of the plan right from day-one. Make tired pups and give them the opportunity to see what they are made of – how strong they could become mentally, and what they are capable of physically. Everyone stepped up. If they continue on this path they will be in a good place heading into what we all know is a long season.
Next for us is a mini camp and our second bout of physical testing. Currently the team is back at home throughout the province continuing to train and getting a well-deserved break from me cracking the whip!!
~ Morgan Pridy, BC Ski Team Coach
MORE PHOTOS
by Kathy Stahr | Aug 8, 2018 | Member News
August 1, 2018
APPLICATION FOR BC ALPINE KOOTENAY ZONE CHAIR
BC Alpine (BCA) is seeking qualified candidates to fill a pending vacancy for Zone Chair of the Kootenay Zone. The successful applicant will represent the zone on its Board of Directors. As the governing body of ski racing in BC, the board of BCA is comprised of members representing each of the four zones within the province.
Candidates interested in serving as Zone Chair should have a passion for ski racing. Past experience on a not-for-profit board and knowledge of the workings of a board from a good governance perspective is an asset. Experience and understanding of the workings of a Provincial Sport Organization is also an asset, but is not required.
The successful candidates would be expected to attend two to three in-person Board meetings per year, plus several teleconference meetings. There is also the expectation to participate on one of the Board committees.
Application Process:
If you are interested and would like to help shape the future of ski racing in British Columbia, please email a letter of interest along with a biographical profile to philm@potentials-unlimited.com by September 8th, 2018.
Candidates will be presented to the Kootenay Zone for election prior to the BC Alpine AGM in late September.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Phil Mittertreiner.
Zone Chair Role Description
· Represent the interests and concerns of the Zone to BC Alpine
· Represent the interests and concerns of BC Alpine to the Zone
· Coordinate the Zone race hosting calendar
· Maintain the Zone Key Contact List
· Manage relationships between clubs within the Zone and between the Zone clubs and BC Alpine
· Manage the Zone bank account
· Act as coordinator for BC Games within the Zone (every 2 years).
· Coordinate zone meetings within the Zone
· Assist in coordination of Zone projects when applicable.
· Participate in BC Alpine board committees when applicable.
· Work with Officials Chair to coordinate Officials Training within the zone.
· Actively participate in Zone events (volunteer, official, coach)
· Actively participate in BC Alpine Board meetings
· 2 days per year in Vancouver (May/June and September)
· Actively participate in BC Alpine Board conference calls
· 2 x per year, approx. 1.5 hours each call
· Actively participate in our annual member summit and AGM
· 2 days, last weekend in September
It is essential the individual is non-biased and is capable of maintaining an objective view regarding BC Alpine initiatives and discussions, over and above the specific interests of their own athlete(s), home club and/or zone.
While it is not a requirement, prior experience in a board or executive capacity within an alpine ski club, either as Club President and/or Alpine Chair, would be an asset. Prior experience as an athlete, coach or official is also an asset.
by Kathy Stahr | Jul 24, 2018 | Member News
KSER SCHOLARSHIP FUND – GOLF TOURNAMENT AND FUNDRAISER – August 24th in Kelowna
The KSER Scholarship Fund offers a helping hand by supporting Grade 12 student-athletes graduating in Kelowna, BC on their pursuit of excellence in athletics and academics. All funds raised from this event go directly to the KSer Scholarship Fund.
Where: Gallagher’s Canyon Golf & Country Club, Kelowna, BC
When: August 24th, 2018
• 1:30 pm shotgun start
• Participants register online at http://kelseyserwa.com/kser-scholarship-golf-fundraiser/
Cost: $175 per person or $700 per team Includes:
• Green fees, power cart, & range basket
• BBQ dinner and drinks
Prizes:
• Various prizes to be won throughout sponsored holes on course & for top teams
Details:
• Golfers will be pressured to perform throughout an entire afternoon and evening of activities. Players will test their skills through all 18-holes of the Canyon Course at Gallagher’s as they fight for sponsored prizes.
• Our goal is to raise $30,000 while having a great day of fun, games and competition on the course
• Silent auction
*Interested in sponsoring this event? Please click here for corporate partnership opportunities or contact Kelsey directly at kelsey@kelseyserwa.com.
by Kathy Stahr | Jul 19, 2018 | Member News
Calgary, Alta. (June 28, 2018) – Alpine Canada is pleased to announce D Team Canada Ski Cross team nominations. Athletes will primarily represent Canada on the Nor-Am Cup circuit, Europa Cup circuit and at the FIS Freestyle World Junior Championships, however some athletes may have the opportunity to compete at the World Cup level.
Athletes have been nominated to the team having met selection criteria and/or coaches’ discretion and/or invited to participate in selected camps and competitions.
2018-19 CANADA SKI CROSS TEAM NOMINATION
D Team Women
Antoinette Tansley (Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club, B.C.1997)
Hannah Schmidt (Camp Fortune, QC: 1994)
Alexa Velcic (Alberta Ski Cross, Alta.; 1997)
D Team Men
Jared Schmidt (Alberta Ski Cross; Alta.; 1997)
Ned Ireland (Big White Racers, B.C.; 1994)
Carson Cook (Alberta Ski Team, Alta.; 1998)
Gavin Rowell (Alberta Ski Cross; Alta.; 1999)
Next Gen Head Coach: Victor Dockal
