The Mount Washington Ski Club is hosting the TECK Coast Zone Finals ski race for U12, U14, U16 and U18 this weekend on Whiskey Jack, just above the main lodge at Mount Washington. Over 100 competitors will travel from all Coastal ski clubs including Whistler/Blackcomb, Cypress, Grouse, Seymour, Hemlock and others.
An exciting new event on Saturday, April 13 is the Dual Panel Slalom, with all racers guaranteed two runs (weather permitting).
This event is a new format for BC Alpine as two racers go head-to-head on separate, side-by-side courses set next to each other. In this type of race, the course is often modified so there are jumps, like in freestyle ski events.
The dual slalom is exciting as there is a winner after each run with two racers, while in a traditional slalom race you have to wait until every racer has had their run to determine the winner. The Dual Panel Slalom is typically set up as an elimination event, where racers are paired up and the winner advances to the next round.
There are several rounds, depending upon the number of racers in the field, and the racer who advances to and wins the final round is the overall winner. In this type of race the tension builds as the field narrows toward the final round.
Sunday, April 14 features the Slalom, a two-run race for U14 and above and two races for U12. "Please come out, enjoy the sunshine, the last race of the season and watch some incredible youth sport in action," a MWSC spokesperson said.
– Mount Washington Ski Club