Last weekend Mount Washington Race Club held a race for young skiers called Experience the Podium. There were close to 200 racers from various parts of B.C., ranging in age from six to 12. It was a great chance for young racers to get a chance at competition. The event included a slalom race, a speed event, a combi race, and a jump event.
Three members of the Podium of Life Snow Sports Academy on Mount Washington had some respectable results.
The youngest member of the academy, Hayden Harley, earned a gold in the speed event with a clocking of 73 km/h. That is pretty fast for a nine year old. He also raced to a fourth place finish in the combi race.
Hayden's older brother, Kieran, in Grade 6, won two gold medals. The first was with a jump of 40 feet, and the second was in the speed event with a clocking of 74 km/h. He rounded out his visits to the podium with a bronze medal in the combi.
When Hayden and Kieran are not attending school on Mount Washington, they are at home in Victoria.
Sylvie Nymann, a Grade 7 student who lives in Campbell River, had a couple trips to the podium. Her jump of 28 feet earned her a bronze medal. And her fast feet and aggressive skiing won her a silver in the combi race.
"These are some pretty stellar results for some young skiers," a Podium of Life spokesperson said. "Watch out for these up and coming athletes as they progress with their skiing careers."
– Podium of Life