When there’s no snow, it can sometimes pose a problem, especially if you are a ski racer. However, the lack of Island snow did not deter the Mount Washington Ski Club’s U12, U14 and U16 teams from searching far and wide to take part and truly dominate in their first season race and skills event at Whistler.
After two days of intense training at Whistler this past week, the athletes were as ready as they would ever be to take on the competitive Coastal Mountain teams of Whistler, Seymour, Grouse, Cypress and Hemlock.
In the Slalom event on Day 2 Campbell River natives U16 Kole Harle and U16 Maja Nymann stole the show, both winning gold.
In the U14 Men’s Slalom, Kieran Nilsen of Comox moved up 34 places for a 16th place finish and a most improved U14 skier overall award. Additionally for the U14 Men’s Slalom event Chris Raduy of Qualicum Beach placed 22nd and 26th and was the only U14 racer to complete all three races.
For the Ladies Slalom on Day 2 it was U14 Sylvi Nymann of Campbell River who had an outstanding finish taking 9th place in both her races – another two top 10s and very consistent.
Of note on Day 1 were outstanding finishes by U14 Ava Langevin of Comox placing 11th and taking home the most improved skier award in the Ladies Giant Slalom with teammate U14 Sylvi Nymann of Campbell River placing 13th.
For the U14 Men’s Giant Slalom the club had Zarija Djurickovic of Victoria placing an outstanding 12th and Kieran Harley also of Victoria placing 20th, a respectable accomplishment in this competitive field of over 52 U14 racers.
For the U16 female athletes again, fantastic finishes with Keegan McCooey of Cumberland placing 10th and Maja Nymann of Campbell River placing 12th in the GS.
In the U16 Giant Slalom Men’s event it was Kole Harle of Campbell River squeaking in a 10th place finish and Calvin Cotton of Courtenay placing 27th. Lastly, out of 140 U12 athletes competing in the skills competition, Hailey Nelson of Courtenay won a silver medal in the speed event and Emilly Johnston of Comox won silver in the Slalom Race Course event.
With the snow now flying on Mount Washington, these athletes are anxious to get back into training mode in preparation for their next big event.
– Mount Washington Ski Club