The variable conditions on the hill (sleet, snow, sun and slushy ruts) were no deterrent for the Mount Washington Ski Club athletes as they hosted and competed in their last race of the season on the last weekend (April 20-21) of skiing at Mount Washington Alpine Resort.
The Teck Coast Zone Finals field was competitive on Day 1 with athletes racing from Whistler, Blackcomb, Seymour, Cypress and Grouse Mountain. But that was no deterrent for the feisty athletes from our Island club. Competing in the exciting dual panel knockout slalom, athletes raced against one another in heats and the winner advanced.
U14/U16 boys Cole Anderson and Kole Harle both of Campbell River won gold and silver in this exciting event. The U12 girls swept the top three with silver for Emilly Johnston of Comox, bronze for Sylvii Nymann of Campbell River and fourth with Ava Langevin, also from Comox.
On the boys side it was a nail biter with Kieran Nilsen of Comox pulling ahead and winning gold at the last second. Luke Hoefer of Mount Washington landed himself a fourth-place ribbon.
On Day 2 it was back to basics with a regular slalom course and the Mount Washington Ski Club athletes delivered using their home club advantage. It was a clean podium sweep and top five sweep for the U14/U16 boys with gold, silver and bronze going to Clinton Wood, Kole Harle and Cole Anderson. In fifth place was Logan Frame (all of Campbell River).
For the U14/U16 girls Maja Nymann of Campbell River took the bronze. In the U12 field Ava Langevin of Comox landed silver and bronze, Sylivii Nymann of Campbell River placed fourth and sixth, Hailey Nelson of Comox placed 10th and 18th and Nataliea Bellefleur placed 12th and 14th.
The U12 boys again stood out in this field with Kieran Nilsen of Comox heading to the podium with a bronze and a fourth, Luke Hoefer of Nanaimo placing fifth twice and Chris Raduy of Qualicum Beach placing sixth. Charlie Wager of Quadra Island took away a sixth and an eighth and Eric Luchies of Victoria placed 10th and 12th.
It was a great end to a very successful season for these young athletes who had opportunities to participate in many races this year, including the Sun Peaks Nancy Greene Festival, two local races for our U10/U12 athletes and the Coast Zone Finals just this last weekend for racers 10 through 17 years of age.
Plus, MWSC racers attended a number of other races including the Western Canadian Finals in Panorama, races in Silver Star, Grouse, Apex and Whistler Cup. Summer brings alternate dryland training activities, conditioning and on-snow glacier camps for some as they prepare for another season next year.
– Mount Washington Ski Club