The Smithers Ski and Snowboard Club knows how to party. And they know how to host great ski races. The second and final North Zone Teck Series race of the season took place at Hudson Bay Mountain Resort last weekend with 83 athletes ranging from age 10 to 67 taking part in a weekend showdown. See the race results at the bottom.
Athletes and volunteers were in awe of the new infrastructure SSSC had worked so hard to establish over the summer, thanks to the incredible Community Economic Resilience Infrastructure Program grant from the Government of BC. New start huts, hard wire timing, timing gear, safety netting, event centre amphitheatre, and more came out to save the day.
The volunteers, athletes, coaches, and race organizers faced adversity and unexpected events, and time and again found ways to overcome. Road closures, lift closures, a coastal snow storm, soft snow, as well as hurricane-force winds could not deter the passion and excitement of race weekend.
Saturday’s high winds forced all lifts to be closed, yet the local ski cabin community came out to the rescue en masse and snowmobiles shuttled hundreds of bodies to the top to get the race completed.
Sunday arrived with 20+ cm of fresh snow and relentless accumulation; the morning run had athletes wiping their goggles multiple times during their race run in full survival mode. The afternoon run turned into a hurricane wind event and a continued blizzard and everyone involved prayed for the lift to keep running long enough to finish the 2nd run.
“Saturday was surreal. We all assume that lifts will be turning on race day and it would be easy to cancel a GS in the absence of lifts. I watched the ROC strategize, communicate and implement a solution to save the race. It was a massive pivot and amazing to watch. Sunday’s weather was apocalyptic with howling wind, driving snow and hoar frost coating the b-net as fast it could be reset. Matt’s course crew worked tirelessly to ensure that athletes had a safe race environment, all the while under the threat of lift closure. Well done!”
Graham Cope, BC Alpine Chair and Race TD
Even the awards were harrowing, with spectators cowering under the new covered event center while athletes on the podium had to avoid the growing roof snow cornice from tumbling down on their heads. All in all, a most memorable weekend!
The Whistler Mountain Ski Club was happy to welcome back U10 – U14 athletes for two incredible race days at the Sporting Life Nancy Greene Ski League (NGSL) Skills Event, and as well for U12s at the 4th annual Janyk Cup on January 28-29, 2023.
Both events took place on the same weekend this season, with the Skills Event taking place on Saturday, January 28 and then the Janyk Cup on Sunday, January 29.
The Janyk Cup was created in honour of Andree Janyk in celebration of her unwavering commitment to volunteerism and sport. The WMSC club’s mission – developing champions in life and sport – is precisely the leadership and passion that Andree exhibited with her two children and those she came into contact with.
Athletes from Cypress, Grouse-Tyee, WB Race Development Program (RDP), Sasquatch and Mt. Seymour Ski Clubs enjoyed crisp winter days with bluebird sunny conditions. Snow conditions were perfect for both days; firm, hard-packed on Ptarmigan. The terrain was carefully prepared by the Dave Murray National Training Centre and WMSC Coaches and Volunteers, and the course itself was tended by course crew volunteers from all clubs (see results below).
The NGSL Skills Event followed a multi-station format; including Start & Skate, Speed Trap & J-turn, Dual Slalom and Combi Course. Each team was able to test their skills multiple times through each station. On Sunday, the Janyk Cup featured a two-run combined-time GS.
For many of these athletes, the Janyk Cup presented their first opportunity to compete against other clubs after training at their respective clubs. This year’s top female and male athletes came from WMSC; Cecily Gibbons taking first place with a combined time of 1:08:42, while Olivier Courcelles took top spot with a combined time of 1:04:58.
“It was a spectacular weekend with lots of sunshine and smiles. It was really great for me personally to see all the young racers from throughout the sea-to sky corridor up in Whistler competing and having fun.”
Andrew Kirker, Race Chair
Girls, January 29
First Place: Cecily Gibbons, Whistler Mountain Ski Club Second Place: Ngaire Kelly, Whistler Mountain Ski Club Third Place: Ellie Eliason, Sasquatch Ski Club Fourth Place: Evelyn Duffy, Whistler Mountain Ski Club Fifth Place: Natalie Uskoski, Whistler Mountain Ski Club Sixth Place: Chloe Xu, Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club Seventh Place: Eleanor Monroe, Mt. Seymour Ski Club Eighth Place: Sasha Harriman, Whistler Mountain Ski Club Ninth Place: Annabelle Booth, Whistler Mountain Ski Club Tenth Place: Abigail Anderson, Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club
Boys, January 29
First Place: Olivier Courcelles, Whistler Mountain Ski Club Second Place: Finley Wood, Whistler Mountain Ski Club Third Place: Monty Cormack, Whistler Mountain Ski Club Fourth Place: Logan Bailey, Mt. Seymour Ski Club Fifth Place: Daniel Gold, Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club Sixth Place: Alin Andrus, Whistler Mountain Ski Club Seventh Place: Oliver Chiu, Whistler Mountain Ski Club Eighth Place: Scott Nann, Mt. Seymour Ski Club Ninth Place: Declan Quinlan, Whistler Mountain Ski Club Tenth Place: Brodie Trent, Whistler Mountain Ski Club
Team Standing
First Place: Whistler Mountain Ski Club Second Place: Sasquatch Ski Club Third Place: Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club Fourth Place: Cypress Ski Club Fifth Place: WB Race Development Program (RDP), Sixth Place: Mt. Seymour Ski Club
Race Organizers
WMSC Janyk Cup Chair: Andrew Kirker Chief of Race: Michael Janyk Chief of Course: Martin Suchy Chief of Volunteers: Georgia Dahle
Photos by: Al Han – WMSC photographer volunteer (download great action shots HERE)
After a two-year hiatus, the Nancy Greene Festival hosted by Kimberley Alpine Team was reborn and took place February 11-12 at Kimberley Alpine Resort. Under bluebird skies, 150 athletes from Lake Louise (Black Dogs Ski Club), Windermere (Windermere Valley Ski Club), Golden (Golden Kicking Horse Alpine Team), and Fairmont (Team Fairmont) challenged the disciplines of Long Jump, Giant Slalom, Moguls, Speed Trap, and Dual Slalom.
Athletes, volunteers, and coaches were treated to a bbq event at the base of the famous Dreadnaught run. A celebration of participation and team spirit for the athletes’ concluded both days in the main plaza area with everyone taking home a souvenir of their experience in Kimberley.
All in all, the spirit and camaraderie of the Nancy Greene program is alive and well in the Kootenay Zone and the event truly displayed a passionate next generation.
Kimberley Alpine Team would like to thank Kimberley Alpine Resort for the grooming, bbq support, and PA equipment for the awards ceremony. Also a special thanks to Dreadnaught Racing for the use of their timing shack to support our bbq lunch. A special shout out to Save-On-Foods and Shoppers Drug Mart (Kimberley)for their lunch and award donations. To our corporate sponsor Sporting Life, thank you for recognizing the value and importance of development ski programs in British Columbia.
Finally, to all the volunteers (timing, bbq, course workers), coaches, and parents – thank you for going above and beyond in supporting this event – you set the bar high! Until next year….ski fast!
When the Sasquatch Mountain Ski Club hosted the 2023 Sasquatch Cup last weekend, a special guest joined in on the fun, signing autographs and mingling with the young skiers.
Two 1-run kombi races per gender were on Saturday’s U12 schedule at Sasquatch Mountain Resort, and on Sunday it was time for the Nancy Greene Ski League (U6, U8 and U10) dual glalom, speed trap and other skills events.
The young racers were excited to be on the mountain with friends and putting their skills to the test, but the biggest thrill of the weekend was a visit from ski cross super-star, Olympian and Crystal Globe winner Reece Howden. Howden grew up in Cultus Lake, not far from Sasquatch Mountain, and stopped by the event to meet the skiers, sign autographs and hand out awards.
The U12 Sasquatch Cup was won by the Whistler Mountain Ski Club.
There were participation ribbons and fun random prize draws at the end of the event, (including a few Sasquatch stuffies the kids went crazy over!).
Story submitted by Caryn Eliason, Sasquatch Mountain Ski club
The Sporting Life Okanagan North Nancy Greene Ski League Dual Slalom ski race was a huge success on February 5, 2023, at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Over 100 young athletes from Sun Peaks, Harper, Vernon, Summit Lake and Golden competing in the U10 and U12 categories, took to the slopes to show off their skills and determination.
The course was fun and challenging, and the kids rose to the occasion, displaying impressive speed and precision as they navigated the turns. With the fog holding off below the race course, conditions were good for all our young skiers and spectators. It was a little less work for our course workers too, because for once race day was not a powder day!
The home team (RSC) was well represented in the U12 field:
Girls: 1st: Aela Johnson, Revelstoke 2nd: Lilli Brovender, Revelstoke 3rd: Anna Brown, Revelstoke 4th: Mavis Gokiert, Revelstoke 5th: Cassidy Kirwan, Revelstoke 6th: Elizabeth Davis, Sun Peaks 7th: Bryn Eyben, Revelstoke 8th: Alix McNamara, Sun Peaks 9th: Evelyn Skerry, Revelstoke 10th: Ella Sinclair, Revelstoke
Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors: Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Eagle Pass Heliski, Regent Hotel, Cheers Liquor Store, Best Western, Stoke Hotel, The Keg Kelowna, Skookum Bike & Ski and Downie Timber.
We would also like to thank our sponsors for providing swag for the NGSL Dual Race Event: Free Spirit Sports, Revy Outdoors, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Eagle Pass, Skookum, Wax Bench and Work N Play Clothing Co. Your generosity and community involvement are always greatly appreciated!
It an action-packed series to say the least, as Fernie Alpine Ski Team (FAST) hosted the Teck Kootenay Zone GS, slalom and ski cross races for U12, U14 and U16 athletes. In total, 22 events with over 200 athletes from Whitewater Ski Team, Golden Kicking Horse Alpine Team, Kimberley Alpine Team, Westcastle Ski Club, Red Mountain Racers, Windermere Valley Ski Club.
The athletes raced hard and showed their impressive athletic abilities on a fun and challenging ski cross course built by Rod Timm (head coach and Program Director of FAST) and Alina Jackman (head groomer at Fernie Alpine Resort and FAST coach). Many parents and spectators came out to take in the action. On the alpine side, we saw amazing technical skiing from all ages (10-15) and excellent sportsmanship amongst the athletes. Even with warm-ish temperatures, the courses held up well, thanks to excellent course sets and terrific volunteers. With so many races going on simultaneously, we were also impressed by the excellent work done by the timing crew and race organizing committee members who pulled off all the events efficiently!
Finally, back on the agenda after a covid-hiatus, was an athlete banquet, complete with awards presented by our local Teck representative Darcy Johnson, and the loud energy of young racers gathering. As well, FAST hosted a volunteer social for the 120+ volunteers, without whom the races would not have taken place.
At the volunteer social, Race Chair Steve Koles formally announced his retirement after an incredible 16 years in the role! We toasted to the countless hours he has put in, his unparalleled dedication, and excellent leadership. This race series has a uniquely fun vibe thanks to Steve, and he leaves a terrific legacy. He will be dearly, dearly missed.
Athlete Banquet and Awards
Steve Koles, Race Chair
“My favourite part about this weekend was the normalcy of gathering, having a BBQ going at the top of the course, music playing and athletes smiling and laughing while cheering each other on. Thank you to RCR for allowing us to host this event at Fernie Alpine Resort, and thank you to Teck for sponsoring the Kootenay Zone Race series.”
Wendy McDougall, FAST President
A special thank you also goes out to the Race Office Team who worked long hours before, during and after the event to prepare for and deliver results for all 22 events! SEE COMPLETE RESULTS HERE
Race Report submitted by Hugoline Morton, Fernie Alpine Ski Team
