Member News | BC Alpine Ski Association

Thanks for a great season – a message from BC Alpine GM, Anders Hestdalen

by Kathy Stahr | May 2, 2018 | Member News

Dear B.C. Alpine Member and Volunteer – thank you for a great, snowy season!

On behalf of B.C. Alpine and I, thank you for welcoming me into the ski racing family in B.C. and Canada. It has been great for me to work for B.C. Alpine this winter and I am proud when I see all the energy and effort you put down every day to make sure this is the best sport to be a part of. Alpine ski racers in B.C. are in good hands.

This year I managed to visit 14 clubs, and my goal is to have visited the rest of our member clubs by this time next year. That will help me to continue to better understand how alpine ski racing works provincially and across Canada, as well as be able to connect with each of you.

The season has been an all-time high on the membership side. We have 5954 registered members with stable or growing numbers in all of our programs. That is great news. We now have to try to understand what we have done right and also try to identify where we can improve, to continue to grow our membership and help our athletes to become even better skiers. We also need to figure out how we can keep girls in the sport longer as they have lower retention than on the boy’s side.

To make sure we are doing what we are here for and serving you as we should, I would appreciate if club leaders and coaches could take the time to fill out the end of season Club Track as well the coaches survey that we will be sending out shortly. Your feedback enables us to see if we are on the right track in providing the services needed as well as insights on where we need to improve. It also provides an opportunity to identify any new or different needs that we should accommodate and gives us valuable information for our strategic work and historical data tracking.

Based on our survey results, we will identify core takeaways that will be worked on through the summer and presented in September at this year’s membership summit and AGM in Kelowna.

B.C. Alpine is here for all of you – our members. We exist because of you and our job is to give you the tools and support to run your clubs while teaching kids life and ski skills through alpine ski racing.

Again, thank you for a strong first season. I am looking forward to working together with all of you to keep developing Alpine ski racing, making it the best sport to be a part of.

Please, don’t hesitate to contact us if you need anything, have questions or just want to come by for a coffee at our offices.

That’s a wrap!

Anders Hestdalen

General Manager · BC Alpine Ski Association

andersh@bcalpine.com · www.bcalpine.com · 604.612.0633

2018 Goldie Awards – Athlete Awards and Bursaries – Nominate by May 31st!

by Kathy Stahr | Apr 23, 2018 | Member News

1. Dave Murray Bursary

Criteria

Awarded to two BC athletes based on the following:

Financial need
Athletic ability / Sportsmanship / Leadership
Recommendation to BC Alpine by coach or other club representative
Priority given to U19 level athletes

Award

$750.00

About the Award

Founded in 1987 by friends of Dave Murray after a fundraiser

Application/Nomination

Submit via BC Alpine Website http://bcalpine.com/awards/

Selection

BC Alpine awards committee makes final selection for this award

2. Bob Parsons' Memorial Fund Bursary

Criteria

Awarded to two individuals based on:

Leadership and dedication to the sport of ski racing
Financial need
Recommendation to BC Alpine by coach or other club representative
Priority is given to U19 level athletes

Award

$1,000.00 per athlete

About the Award

Bob Parsons was the original weasel worker at the Whistler World Cup.

Application/Nomination

Submit via BC Alpine Website. http://bcalpine.com/awards/

3. Ski Canada Bursary

Criteria

U16 level athletes only
Financial need
Potential to rise to the top of ski racing in Canada
Recommendation to BC Alpine by coach or other club representative

About the Award

The Ski Canada Bursary is available for not-for-profit ski organizations and groups across Canada.

Award

$1,000 awarded to one athlete OR $500 each to one male and one female athlete

Application/Nomination

Submit via BC Alpine Website http://bcalpine.com/awards/

Selection

BC Alpine awards committee makes final selection for this award

4. Cary Mullen Award

Criteria

This athlete has displayed the most sportsmanlike conduct

Award

Trophy for one male and one female athlete

Application/Nomination

Submit via BC Alpine Website http://bcalpine.com/awards/

Selection

BC Alpine awards committee makes final selection for this award

2018 Goldies – Volunteers, Officials, Clubs, Events – nominate before May 31st!

by Kathy Stahr | Apr 23, 2018 | Member News

1. Club Development of the Year

Criteria

This BC Alpine ski club has illustrated growth and significant improvement or leadership during the current season

Award

Trophy presented to one club per year

Application/Nomination

Submit via BC Alpine Website http://bcalpine.com/awards/

2. Event of the Year

Criteria

open to all levels, no restrictions
well organized and fun for racers and volunteers
exceptional and compelling event for the community

Award

Trophy presented to one club per year for hosing the winning race event

Application/Nomination

Submit via BC Alpine Website http://bcalpine.com/awards/

3. Mountain Resort of the Year

Criteria

This resort showed extrordinary support for the local ski club (its events and members) throughout the current season

Award

Trophy presented to one Mountain Resort per year

Application/Nomination

Submit via BC Alpine Website http://bcalpine.com/awards/

4. Zone Official/Volunteer (North , Coast , Kootenay or Okanagan )

Criteria

Dedication and commitment to volunteering at the club or zone level

Award

Four (4) trophies awarded – one for each zone: Coast, Kootenay, North & Okanagan

Application/Nomination

Submit via BC Alpine Website http://bcalpine.com/awards/

Selection

BC Alpine Awards Committee makes the final selection for this award

5. Moira Jaatteenmaki Officials' Award

Criteria

A continued dedication to the Officials' program and the sport of ski racing by serving as a committed BC Alpine Official over a period of several seasons
As a result of his or her contributions, this Official has helped ski racing continue at the highest level in the province, offering participating athletes the best opportunities for advancement in their pursuit of excellence in the sport.

Application/Nomination

Submit via BC Alpine Website http://bcalpine.com/awards/

Award

Trophy awarded to one Official per season

Selection

BC Alpine Officials Committee makes the final selection for this award.

6. Volunteer of the Year

Criteria

This individual's volunteer efforts are exceptional
His or her level of commitment contributes to the betterment of the club, zone and province
The contributions can be on or off the hill

Award

One trophy awarded per season

Application/Nomination

Submit via BC Alpine Website http://bcalpine.com/awards/

Selection

BC Alpine awards committee makes the final selection for this award.

Switzerland top nation at Mackenzie Investments Whistler Cup; Canada 3rd

by Kathy Stahr | Apr 15, 2018 | Member News

Team Switzerland takes 2018 Whistler Cup

The 26th Mackenzie Investments Whistler Cup hosted this weekend in Whistler, B.C. with over 400 athletes, 150 coaches and 20 countries participating. Canadians had some standout performances landing on the podium four times. Canada closed to the competition ranked third overall in the U16 points competition.

"What a fantastic four days of international racing, fun, entertainment and hospitality hosted by the Whistler Mountain Ski Club," said BC Alpine General Manager Anders Hestdalen. "Thank you to Mackenzie Investments and all the other sponsors for making this amazing annual event possible, as well as to the hundreds of volunteers who worked tirelessly before and during the event, in the foreground and in the background! Your contributions are huge, and your efforts do not go unnoticed! It was an incredible feat of planning and execution, well done everyone!"

TEAM PHOTOS AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD AT https://www.coastphotostore.com/Events/Whistler-Cup-2018/Team-Photos-Apr-12/

HUNDREDS MORE SPECTACULAR IMAGES AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AND PURCHASE AT https://www.coastphotostore.com/Events/Whistler-Cup-2018

SUPER-G

John Daniel Profitt of Calgary won the gold medal in the men’s super G to open the Mackenzie Investments Whistler Cup alpine skiing competition.

Profitt clocked one minute and 06.67 seconds for the win. Ryder Sarchett of the U.S. and Vaclav Klein of Slovakia tied for second in 1:06.81.

In the women’s super G, Delia Durrer of Switzerland was the winner in 1:07.16 with Arianne Forget of Prévost, Que., second in 1:08.72 and Caitlin McFarlane of France third in 1:08.81. Jade Bonneville of Prévost was fourth in 1:09.04 and Britt Richardson of Calgary 10th in 1:10.34.

GIANT SLALOM

Sarah Brown of Ottawa (Mont-Tremblant Ski Club) topped Canadian results Friday with the bronze medal in the women’s giant slalom at the Mackenzie Investments Whistler Cup alpine skiing competition.

In the women’s giant slalom, Sarah Zoller led Switzerland to a 1-2 finish clocking a two-run time of 2:10.49. Delia Durrer was second in 2:12.25 edging Brown by the narrowest of margins. She clocked 2:12.26.

In the men’s giant slalom, Ryder Sarchett of the U.S. took the gold in 2:11.69 with Luc Roduit of Switzerland second in 2:12.03 and Nicolas Pirozzi of Chile third in 2:13.83.

Mackenzie Wood of Collingwood, Ont., was the top Canadian in ninth.

SLALOM

Fuelled on confidence Sarah Brown of Ottawa won the gold medal Saturday in the women’s slalom at the Mackenzie Investments Whistler Cup alpine skiing competition.

Brown was first after both runs clocking one minute and 20.25 seconds with Sarah Zoller of Switzerland second in 1:20.99 and Noa Szollos of Israel third at 1:22.70.

Other Canadians in the top-10 were Arianne Forget of Prévost, Que., in fourth, Britt Richardson of Calgary sixth and Jacquelyn Gray of Panorama, B.C., seventh.

In the men’s slalom, Luc Roduit of Switzerland was the victor in 1:21.68 with compatriot Nicolas Macheret second in 1:22.03 and Nicolas Pirozzi of Chile third in 1:23.63.

TEAM EVENT

In the final day of racing at the Mackenzie Investments Whistler Cup competition, the U16 Team USA squad dominated and capturing gold in the dual slalom race. USA beat out Switzerland and France.

Photo from BC Alpine website: www.bcalpine.com

Team USA wins U16 Team Dual Slalom on Sunday

Whistler Cup U16 Overal winners:

1st place – Switzerland

2nd place – USA

3rd place – Canada

The U14 Festival was held alongside the U16 races. Below are the top-three nations overall for that competition.

Whistler Cup U14 Overal winners:

1st place – Ontario

2nd place – BC

3rd place – Japan

Nancy Greene Award (top performance by a Canadian female):

U14: Sara Stiel WMSC

U16: Sarah Brown Canada (1st place in SL)

Dave Murray Award (top performance by a Canadian male):

U14: Philippe Bergeron – Quebec

U16: John Profitt – Canada (1st place in SG)

New this year "Spirit Award" for sportsmanship, enthusiasm and cheering loudly…awarded to Team Argentina!

Full results : https://wmsc-timing.azurewebsites.net/timing/

Photo Album

Sarah Brown takes Slalom Gold at Mackenzie Investments Whistler Cup

by Kathy Stahr | Apr 14, 2018 | Member News

Sarah Brown (Quebec) PHOTO CREDIT: Jon Hair/www.coastphoto.com

WHISTLER – Fuelled on confidence Sarah Brown (Mont-Tremblant Ski Club) won the gold medal Saturday in the women’s slalom at the Mackenzie Investments Whistler Cup alpine skiing competition at Whistler Blackcomb.

Brown was first after both runs clocking one minute and 20.25 seconds with Sarah Zoller of Switzerland second in 1:20.99 and Noa Szollos of Israel third at 1:22.70.

On Friday, Brown was also third in the giant slalom.

‘’I took a lot of confidence from yesterday,’’ said Brown. ‘’The conditions today were spring-like so I really charged through it. It wasn’t pretty. I felt a bit of pressure for the second run being first but I was already happy to have put down one solid run.’’

Zoller won the GS on Friday.

‘’It was OK,’’ she said. ‘’I am happy with my result. For us this is a great experience to come here and compete at one of the most famous mountains in the world. It’s been really cool.’’

Szollos, who comes a family of competitive skiers, is from Hungary and trains in Austria. She decided to represent Israel due to some issues with the Hungarian ski federation.

‘’I was surprised to get on the podium,’’ she said. ‘’The slalom is not usually my best event.’’

Other Canadians in the top-10 were Arianne Forget of Prévost, Que., in fourth, Britt Richardson of Calgary sixth and Jacquelyn Gray of Panorama, B.C., seventh.

The 26th Whistler Cup has attracted over 400 of the world’s best 12 to 15-year-old ski racers from more than 20 countries to compete for super-G, slalom and giant slalom glory.

In the men’s slalom, Luc Roduit of Switzerland was the victor in 1:21.68 with compatriot Nicolas Macheret second in 1:22.03 and Nicolas Pirozzi of Chile third in 1:23.63.

‘’It was a great day today after yesterday’s bad weather,’’ said Roduit. ‘’I’m excited to come out with the win.’’

Macheret was also pleased with his performance.

‘’There were a lot of traps, especially on the second run,’’ he said. ‘’It was important to have that good time on the first run.’’

Tait Jordan of Whistler was the top Canadian in fifth place in 1:24.31. Jacob Goneau of Bromont, Que., tied for sixth, Mackenzie Wood of Collingwood, Ont., was ninth and John Daniel Profitt of Calgary, the super G winner on day one, was 10th.

‘’The first run was really bumpy, I was just happy to finish,’’ said Jordan. ‘’On the second run I took advantage of a very good start.’’

Alpine Canada's Dusan Grasic with Team Canada's Tait Jordan (WMSC)

Saturday’s slalom results at the Mackenzie Investments Whistler Cup alpine skiing competition in Whistler:

Men: 1. Luc Roduit, Switzerland, 1:21.68; 2. Nicholas Macheret, Switzerland, 1 :22.03; 3. Nicolas Pirozzi, Chile, 1:23.63; 4. Ryoma Katayama, Japan, 1:24.20; 5. Tait Jordan, Whistler, 1:24.31; 6. Thomas Hoffman, Australia and Jacob Goneau, Bromont, Que., 1 :25.06; 8. Tiziano Gavier, Argentina, 1:25.25; 9. Mackenzie Wood, Collingwood, Ont., 1 :26.23; 10. John Daniel Profitt, Calgary, 1 :26.25.

Women: 1. Sarah Brown, Quebec, 1:20.25, 2. Sarah Zoller, Switzerland, 1:20.99, 3. Noa Szollos, Israel, 1:22.70, 4. Arianne Forget, Prévost, Que., 1:22.94, 5.Victoria Cubina, Spain 1:23.31., 6. Britt Richardson, Calgary., 1:23.54, 7. Jacquelyn Gray, Panorama, B.C., 1:23.78, 8. Delia Durrer, Switzerland, 1:23.79, 9.Zoe Michaels, Australia, 1:23.86, 10. Silvia Strachanova, Slovakia, 1.24.41

Full results : https://wmsc-timing.azurewebsites.net/timing/

Tremblant’s Brown top Canadian, 3rd at Mackenzie Investments Whistler Cup GS

by Kathy Stahr | Apr 13, 2018 | Member News

Image may contain: one or more people, snow, sky, tree, outdoor and nature

ðŸ“·by AOA coach Louis Florjancic, Georgian Peaks

WHISTLER – Sarah Brown of Ottawa, who races for the Mt. Tremblant Ski Club, topped Canadian results Friday with the bronze medal in the women’s giant slalom at the Mackenzie Investments Whistler Cup alpine skiing competition.

"The race was pretty cool because the hill is very nice,’’ said Zoller, 15. ‘’The snow is different in Switzerland and we have more bumps. The course was pretty long today, but I liked it. I was at the Whistler Cup last year, and was so happy to hear I could come again this year because I like to get the experience of competing with other girls from other nations.’’

Durrer was pleased to get on the podium despite not being 100 percent.

"I didn't feel that great when I was racing,’’ she said. ‘’Even though the second run was a bit frustrating because of the weather, it was a good experience. I like Whistler, especially the village, and getting to learn about people from other countries."

Brown, 15, was determined to bounce back from a subpar super G on Thursday.

"I didn't ski my best, but I was happy to get some of my confidence back,’’ she said. ’’My plan was to try to get some of my good feeling back for the afternoon run and I was happy to be able to put it together."

Arianne Forget of Prevost, Que., was fourth in 2:12.76 and Makenna Lebsack of Calgary 10^th in 2:15.80.

In the men’s giant slalom, Ryder Sarchett of the U.S. took the gold in 2:11.69 with Luc Roduit of Switzerland second in 2:12.03 and Nicolas Pirozzi of Chile third in 2:13.83.

‘’It’s been an inconsistent season but I’m having a good spring,’’ said Sarchett. ‘’In the first run the snow was weird and not what I'm used to. In the second run the course was really rough.’’

Mackenzie Wood of Collingwood, Ont., was the top Canadian in ninth.

2018 Whistler Cup Parade of Nations PHOTO CREDIT: Gordie Bowles

Friday’s giant slalom results at the Mackenzie Investments Whistler Cup alpine skiing competition in Whistler:

Men: 1. Ryder Sarchett, USA, 2:11.69; 2. Luc Roduit, Switzerland, 2:12.03; 3. Nicolas Pirozzi, Chile, 2:12.81; 4. Silvano Gini, Switzerland, 2:13.83; 5. Leo Coppel, France, 2:14.59; 6. Nicolas Macheret, Switzerland, 2:15.33; 7. Takumi Nakamura, Japan, 2:16.11; 8. Tiziano Gravier, Argentina, 2:16.43; 9. Mackenzie Wood, Ontario, 2:16.61; 10. Vaclav Klein, Slovakia, 2:17.00

Women: 1. Sarah Zoller, Switzerland, 2:10;49; 2. Delia Durrer, Switzerland, 2:12.25; 3. Sarah Brown, Quebec, 2:12.26; 4. Arianne Forget, Prevost, Quebec, 2:12.76; 5. Amellie Klopfenstein, Switzerland, 2:12.99; 6. Dasha Romanov, USA, 2:13.11; 7. Noa Szollos, Israel, 2:13.12; 8. Emma Nadler, France, 2:15.13; 9. Isabelle Washburn, USA, 2:15.65; 10. Makenna Lebsack, Calgary, Alberta, 2:15.80.

U16 BC 1
Hallie	Jenkins	2002	Big White Ski Club
Jaden	Dawson	2003	Whistler Mountain Ski Club
Freya	Jumonville	2002	Whistler Mountain Ski Club
Heiko	Ihns	2002	Red Mountain Racers
Isaac	Athans	2002	Apex Ski Club
Kristof	Panke	2002	Red Mountain Racers

U16 BC 2
Emeline	Bennett	2003	Whistler Mountain Ski Club
Charlotte	Gibson	2003	Prince George Ski Club
Noa	Rogers	2003	Apex Ski Club
Heming	Sola	2003	Apex Ski Club
Devin	Blaser	2002	Apex Ski Club
David	Wood	2003	Whistler Mountain Ski Club

Full results : WMSC-Timing | WMSC Timing

Image may contain: 15 people, people smiling, people standing and indoor

Team Canada

Athlete	Club	Province
Jacob Goneau	Club de Ski de Bromont	Quebec
John Daniel Profitt	Sunshine Alpine Racers	Alberta
Mackenzie Wood	Georgian Peaks	Ontario
Louis Latulippe	Équipe de ski zone skibec	Quebec
Tait Jordan	Whistler Mountain Ski Club	British Columbia
Simon-Olivier Roy	Club de Ski Garceau	Quebec
Jade Bonneville	Équipe de compètition de St Sauveur	Quebec
Arianne Forget	Équipe de compètition de St Sauveur	Quebec
Sarah Brown	Club de ski du Mont-Tremblant	Quebec
Ashley Campbell	Georgian Peaks	Ontario
Makenna Lebsack	Kanaskis Ski Club	Alberta
Marie-Pier Brunet	Club de Ski de Bromont	Quebec

Whistler Cup has a history of showcasing future stars, including Americans Lindsey Vonn, Julia Mancuso and Mikaela Shiffrin, as well as Slovenia’s Tina Maze, Italy’s Christof Innerhofer and Austria’s Nicole Hosp, Anna Fenninger and Mathias Meier. Many of Canada’s biggest stars have also competed on this stage, including Marielle Thompson, Kelsey Serwa, Jan Hudec, Erik Guay, Robbie Dixon, Britt and Michael Janyk and Manuel Osborne-Paradis.

Competition continues through to Sunday.