The stakes were high, the competition even higher as the Mount Washington Ski Club's U14 and U16 teams travelled to the International Whistler Cup Ski Race, held April 4-6 in Whistler.
Whistler welcomed over 400 athletes ages 12 to 15, 150 coaches and 300 volunteers to the 22nd running of the Whistler Cup, presented by Rio Tinto Alcan. This is an annual international race, with the highest calibre of ski racers competing in their age groups from around the world. The competition could not be any more challenging.
Given the snow year the Mount Washington skitTeam has had – the results held up impressively for the club athletes over this three-day event.
On day two, Slalom was the name of the game for all the squads with both men and women competing in the event. BC Ski Team member and Mount Washington athlete Maja Nymann though was the star of the show taking home a ninth place finish after starting 40th and the title of top Canadian U16 girl in this event.
Nymann also had the fourth fastest second run time. Ava Langevin was the leader in Slalom for the U14 MWSC girls’ team with a 39th place while Kieran Nilsen of the U14 boys had his best run, placing 34th.
While the U14s battled it out on the Slalom Course, the U16s raced down the hill at high speeds in the very fast, treacherous Super G course. BC Ski Team Member and Mount Washington athlete Kole Harle placed 31st, Liam Gilchrist took a 69th while Maja Nymann for the U16 girls placed 47th.
For the U14 MWSC boys’ team on day one in the Dual Slalom, the top placement went to Kieran Harley, who started 65th and placed 34th with Kieran Nilsen finishing 55th and Zarija Djurickovic placing 75th. The U14 girls fared well too, with Sylvii Nymann starting 56th and placing 23rd in the Dual Slalom, Ava Langevin starting placed 33rd while Natalia Bellefleur placed 75th.
On day three both teams took a crack at the fast and challenging GS course with Kole Harle placing 37th. Again, a Nymann, but this time younger sister, Sylvii, pulled an impressive 18th out of her hat after starting in 71st place while older sister Maja had an outstanding result of 26th. For the U14 girls Ava Langevin was close on Sylvii’s heels with a 21st place and Natalia Bellefleur placing 97th. Kieran Harley for the U14 boys placed 38th and Zarija Djurickovic placed 55th.
Overall, the European teams – namely the Austrians and the Norwegians – dominated the podium and the Canadians were not able to defend their overall cup title. When asked about her experience competing at this international level , Maja Nymann commented that “Finishing at the Whistler Cup as the top Canadian U16 girl has boosted my confidence and given me a perspective on my rankings with athletes from different places around the world.”
– Mount Washington Ski Club