K1S RETURN FROM PROVINCIALS AT MOUNT WASHINGTON

Hicks golden at B.C. championships at snowy Mount Washington

By Katie Findlay - Revelstoke Times Review

Published: March 23, 2011 3:00 PM 

Updated: March 23, 2011 3:27 PM

Fresh off a silver medal at the Western Canadian Championships for K1 (11-12 years), Callum Hicks completed his medal collection with a gold and a bronze at the Provincial Championships. Held Mar. 18–20 at Mount Washington, the event hosted over 150 young racers from all over British Columbia.

The Revelstoke team thought they were used to a lot of snow, but Mount Washington put our town to shame! It seemed to snow non-stop throughout the first three days the K1 team was there, adding to the over 7-metre base the resort already has.

Revelstoke’s racers proved they know how to ski soft snow, thriving in the variable weather on Vancouver Island. “The provincial championships were a challenging race for all athletes, with both extreme weather and course conditions,” said K1 coach Hilary Blackett.

Friday and Saturday arrived with fog and snow for the girls’ and boys’ slalom and giant slalom, but Sunday’s kombi race was bluebird and the racers had the chance to take in the breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding mountains.

Hicks earned his bronze medal in the second slalom race and his gold in the kombi. Bryce Molder was 21st in the province in slalom and 24th in Kombi, while Caroline Bouwmeester was 31st in slalom and 26th in Kombi. Sara Jo Howatt was consistently strong with a 14th and 15th in slalom and a 16th in giant slalom. Anne-Marie Duchesne fell during her first slalom run but placed 32nd in both the second slalom run and the first giant slalom run. She had a fast time in the Kombi but was disqualified for missing a gate. Thea Peasgood had a great first slalom race to put her in 48th, and finished 43rd in kombi. Erin Behncke had a strong 60th in kombi and 66th in slalom.

“I’m really proud of all the Revelstoke racers for having positive attitudes throughout the race series,” said Blackett. “They pulled it together for some really great results.”

Several Revelstoke athletes are currently competing in their national championships: Emily Unterberger, Lachlan Hicks and Mitch Smith are in Collingwood, Ontario for the K2 Nationals. Alix Petit is racing in the senior nationals at Nakiska against various world cup and Olympic athletes.

The K1, K2 E2 and J athletes have their zone finals coming up at Big White, and the FIS teams will race in their spring series’ at Panorama, Nakiska and Norquay.