Mark Isfeld’s boys snowboard team placed second at the B.C. high school championships March 5-7 at Sun Peaks Resort near Kamloops.
The competition began with a gruelling two-run giant slalom race. The Isfeld boys battled with a team from Smithers and trailed by three points after the first day of racing. As per the format, the top four racers from each team earn points for their school.
“Both Axel Noringseth and Andrew Munro propelled us onto the podium,” head coach Dave Graham said. “They demonstrated a calm focus and superior edge control which is so necessary in alpine racing.”
The two boys placed fifth and sixth respectively out of a heat of 60 racers.
On the final day, the boys competed in the terrain GS, an event that resembles a boarder cross race.
“The race is fought on a twisting track complete with rollers, banked turns and gates,” Graham said.
Again, there was stiff competition from Smithers, who had obviously practised on similar terrain.
“Mount Washington ski school has been very involved in the training of our athletes throughout the season. We hope next year to have a boarder cross track to practise on, as it’s been several years since one was available.”
The boys placed second in the terrain GS, a finish which surprised the mostly rookie team.
The trip to Sun Peaks was deemed a success overall, especially as the team returned injury-free and sporting silver medals.