Under challenging pre-race conditions to a bluebird race day, the Teck Open (Round 2) and inaugural Rob Boyd Cup, hosted by the Whistler Mountain Ski Club, tested the race crew, athletes, coaches and volunteers who ultimately prevailed to deliver some great racing.
Originally intended as a Teck Open Speed event with super-G races on the Dave Murray National Training Centre, stormy conditions with heavy precipitation required WMSC to pivot and run three two-run SL races on consecutive days.
The conditions were challenging on Friday and Saturday, with U16 athletes showing their resilience and adaptability. Volunteer course workers were kept very busy maintaining a safe race environment in the changing weather conditions. Sunday provided terrific conditions for the final race day.
The awards were held at Garbo Hut on the final day with Rob Boyd distributing the awards. The ever-gracious Rob Boyd had some wise words in a message for the athletes:
Eric Krastev, Grouse-Tyee. Photo by Blue Rabbit Photography
“If the inaugural Rob Boyd Cup can teach us anything, it is that we need to be able to pivot the plans to work with the weather,” said Rob. “In the words of the late, great Dave Murray ‘anyone can race well on a sunny day’, meaning the ones with mettle and a positive mindset will succeed when the weather and conditions become challenging.”
– Rob boyd
Men: 22 February 2025 – Bodie Ottem (SPAC), Declan Kirker (WMSC), Eric Krastev (Grouse), Eames Kim (Grouse), Tristan Yee (Grouse), Eilliot Roscoe (Red Mountain), Bodie Morgan (WMSC), Caleb Shaw (Vernon), Timothy Chiu (WMSC), and Ziggy Suchy (WMSC).
Eric Krastev of Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club with the Rob Boyd Cup. Brodie Ottem, SPAC, middle left and Declan Kirker from WMSC at right. (Rob Boyd at left)
The Apex Ski Club and Apex Mountain Resort played host to the U10/U12 Nancy Greene Ski League Okanagan South event, February 2, 2025.
More than 80 young racers from the Big White and Apex Ski Clubs were treated to perfect snow conditions for the super-fun and popular dual-paneled slalom race. There was a chill in the air, but the sun showed up to warm (slightly) the excited participants and hard-working volunteers.
The athletes were able to complete three runs before a hot dog lunch and hot chocolate at the club cabin. Shout out to IGA, Penticton for donating the supplies for the hot dog lunch!
Also big thanks to our race Chiefs:
David Warriner – Chief of Race
Wally James – Chief of Timing
Jenafor Lansel – Race Administrator
And thank you to Greg Jaron for the wonderful photos!
Everyone was happy to receive Nancy Greene Ski League participation ribbons!
The Revelstoke Ski Club and Revelstoke Mountain Resort were thrilled to host the Nancy Greene Ski League North Okanagan race on Feb. 2, 2025. Despite chilly temperatures, and 9 cm of fresh snow, the sun broke through and set the stage for an incredible day of racing.
This event welcomed 112 skiers from the U6–U12 age groups from across the North Okanagan, showcasing not only the rising talent in the Okanagan, but also Revelstoke’s world-class terrain and vibrant ski community. The energy was high as young racers took to the paneled dual slalom course, many experiencing their first-ever timed runs through the gates.
A huge thank you goes out to all the volunteers, coaches, and parents who dedicated their time to making this event possible. Special recognition also goes to our generous sponsors whose continued support ensures the success of our club and events like this. Cabot, Downie Timber, Mackenzie Village, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, The Regent Hotel, Wrights Machinery, and Eagle Pass—your contributions are invaluable!
Additionally, we’d like to extend our gratitude to Southside Market for fueling our racers and volunteers, and to Free Spirit Sports for their unwavering support of the club year after year. Thanks to Somewon Collective, Powder Rentals, The Wax Bench, Workwest Workwear, Revy Outdoors, Skookum, and Rough Country for supplying an incredible selection of prizes and swag for the athletes. We are now looking forward to hosting the U12-U16 Teck OK Zone Finals race in April!
With a World Cup position on the line for next season, some of the best speed racers in North American converged in the East Kootenays at the Kimberley Alpine Resort for the Nor-Am Speed Series, under bluebird and cold condition.
Over 120 racers battled it out during two days of two-run sprint downhill races – a rare race format for this elite level of competition – followed by two super-G races featuring some World Cup level ski racers.
Kyle Alexander, a World Cup racer originally from the Whistler Mountain Ski Club, was the winner of the first two-run men’s downhill, ahead of fellow Canadian Raphael Lessard and American Mattias Wilson. The following day had a podium repeat, with Alexander taking the top spot on the box over Lessard and Wilson.
On the men’s super-G race days, Lessard moved up on the podium, putting down a blisteringly-fast time of 1:18.17, over a second ahead of Alexander and third place finisher Kyle Blandford for the Canadian podium sweep. Lessard and Alexander finished again 1-2 respectively on the final super-G race, this time within a razor-thin margin of 0.13 seconds, with Tanner Perkins of the U.S. finishing third.
On the women’s side, Haley Cutler of the U.S., was the clear winner of the first women’s one-run downhill, 1.69 seconds ahead of Annika Hunt, also from the states, followed by Shae Obrien, the fastest Canadian on the day. Cutler continued her dominance on day two, finishing over three seconds ahead of Canadian Zoe Gray and U.S. racer Viktoria Zaytseva, who finished second and third respectively.
The Dreadnaught track at Kimberley saw several weeks of speed racing action with speed camps and several downhill and super-G races. A total of over 2,000 runs were accomplished on the track, prepared but the Dreadnaught Race Crew and BC Alpine staff. (report continues below the photo gallery)
Photos by Rick Jensen
“Proper speed progression plays a crucial role in developing better technical athletes,” said Johnny Crichton, BC Alpine’s VP. “Kimberley provides an incredible environment where athletes can safely and confidently build their speed skills while learning how to stand on their skis effectively. Speed training camps and downhill training runs are vital in helping athletes gain the confidence they need, which ultimately translates into both improved performance and enhanced safety.”
Over 30 centimetres of snowfall before the event, challenged the crew but by race days the track was in impeccable race shape, icy and hard. The safe but challenging race track at Kimberley allows skiers to progress with tactics, technique and “speed confidence”.
“This track has helped develop some of the best ski racers in Canada, even in the world,” said Crichton, referring to Kitzbuhel champion Jack Crawford and World Cup winner Cameron Alexander, who both got their start into speed racing on this race track.
Ski clubs from across the North Zone, as well as a large contingent from the Yukon, came the beautiful Hudson Bay Mountain Resort in Smithers, last weekend for a series of U14 to U16 races.
The competent race organizers from the Smithers Ski & Snowboard Club pulled off a total of 16 races (see results below) over the two-day event, down the Turkey Shoot and Cinderella runs. The annual North Zone trophies were handed out in a number of different categories.
The Fernie Alpine Ski Team (FAST) hosted the Western Ski Cross races for U12, U14, and U16 athletes, from January 31st to February 2nd. Over 130 racers travelled from Whitewater, Golden, Kimberley, Westcastle, and Lake Louise to hone their ski cross skills and compete on an exciting track.
The event had an incredible atmosphere, with music pumping, Shirley Timm grilling hot dogs for everyone, and athletes running the track multiple times each day, which provided excellent opportunities for skill development. Races took place on both Saturday and Sunday.
The challenging course was designed and built by FAST’s seasoned coaches—Rod Timm, Ian Larsen, and Derick Berry—and featured a thrilling jump near the finish. Spectators were impressed by the athletes’ skills and how they improved over the three-day event, especially off the jump.
Photo Credit: Dan Morrison
As always in Fernie, the weather played a role in the weekend’s excitement. On Sunday, the Griz delivered 20 cm of fresh powder on the track, and it was all hands on deck to clear the course. A huge thank you to all the volunteers and athletes who helped ensure the event could run safely.
When asked about the race series, FAST President Mark Barron shared:
“My favourite part of this weekend was having a BBQ at the top of the course, music playing, and seeing the athletes support each other. We were able to host an athlete banquet, present awards, and celebrate our athletes. Thank you to RCR for allowing us to host this event at Fernie Alpine Resort.”
The FAST team thrives on the social side of racing, and this event was no exception. A well-attended banquet brought young racers together in a lively celebration. FAST also hosted a volunteer social to thank the volunteers, without whom the races wouldn’t have been possible. A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers!
