The Cypress Ski Club welcomed athletes from across the Lower Mainland for the U12–U14 Teck Coast Zone Finals, delivering two outstanding days of racing, development, and community on home snow last weekend.
After a long season, the Finals arrived with classic spring conditions—bluebird skies, warm sunshine, and fast, consistent snow at Cypress Mountain. From first inspection to final racer, the energy on the hill was high, with athletes, coaches, and volunteers embracing a true celebration of Coast Zone racing (and staying well-equipped with sunscreen and hydration along the way).
Racing took place on Lower Fork–Panorama, where U12 and U14 athletes tackled a full weekend of slalom competition. As with the best development events, the focus extended well beyond results. Athletes were challenged to adapt, reset between runs, and push their limits in a supportive, team-first environment. It’s at this stage where confidence grows, resilience takes shape, and a deeper understanding of racing begins to emerge.
Across the weekend, 120 Top-10 awards were presented, highlighting both strong performances and the inclusive spirit of the event. Just as important were the moments between runs—teammates cheering in the finish, athletes rebounding from tough sections, and shared excitement across clubs. It’s these moments that define the experience and build the foundation for future success.
A big thank you to Thomas Cheng for the incredible photography this season. Check out these beauties!
Behind the scenes, more than 100 volunteers ensured the event ran seamlessly, from course prep and timing to gates and hospitality. Their collective effort created a safe, high-quality race environment and once again demonstrated the strength of the Coast Zone community.
Leading the delivery was Mark Schwenk (Technical Delegate), alongside Kim Mohr (Chief of Race), Perveen Biln (Start Referee), Jocelyn Ramsey (Finish Referee), Vlada Novak (Chief of Gates), Kaveh Afshari (Chief of Timing), Teresa Skelton (Chief of Manual Timing), Ian Campbell (Chief of Course), Josh Good (Chief of Slip), Andrea Tegzes and Andrea Vigna (Race Secretaries), Raul Anguita (Program Director), Tanya Cornelia and Kristina Herder (Chiefs of Volunteers), Eric Roberts (Chief of Hospitality), and Helene Tremblay (Sponsors/Awards/Media).
With strong racing, exceptional conditions, and a full community effort, the 2026 Coast Zone Finals at Cypress were a fitting cap to the season.
– A special thanks to Helene Tremblay for contributions to this story.
