REVELSTOKE HOSTS K2 WESTERN CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS THIS WEEK

Posted on Mar. 23rd, 2010 by Katie Findlay (courtesy of Revelstoke Times Review)

Some of the Revelstoke Ski Club’s youngest athletes recently had the biggest event of their season: the Nancy Greene festival in Sun Peaks. It is a two-day event showcasing both racing and skills for skiers aged six to ten years old. There was a traditional dual race, mogul event, speed trap and a measured jump; each allowed the kids to test their physical limits and show off their abilities on skis.

In the E1 category Jenna Knight tied for eighth in both the jumping and the speed, with a jump of 18 feet and a top speed of 58 km/h. Aleks Klassen tied for fifth with a 61 km/h run while Colm Molder tied for sixth at 60 km/h. Klassen had a 24-foot jump tying him for eight and Molder had a 15-foot jump. The three E1s were teamed up with some Big White racers and won gold in their team dual slalom race in the Snow Stars Level Three division.

In the E2s Claudia Cinelli and Elizabeth Elliott tied for fourth in their age group with a 60 km/h ski, and Alexis Welch clocked a 53. Cinelli had a 24 foot jump, Elliott flew for 15, and Welch 10. Josi Koeber clocked a whopping 64 km/h, tying her for second, while Erin Behncke was right behind her with a speedy 63. Levi Strobl tied for fourth in his category with 62 km/h. Strobl took quite a leap flying 27 feet, while Behncke went 25 and Koeber 21.

The K1 team also recently returned from a major event: their provincial championships at Red Mountain. With two Slaloms, two Giant Slaloms and two Kombi races, the 11- and 12-year-olds had a packed three days. Mitch Smith had a very successful series, with a sixth place in the Kombi, tenth in the Slalom and 16th in GS. Max Scharf had a 16th and Bryce Molder a 56th in the Slalom, while Callum Hicks placed 28th and Donovan Miskiman 59th in the Kombi.

Sonia Schwenck took 16th in GS, 21st in Slalom and 22nd in Kombi; Anne-Marie Duchesne finished 24th in Slalom and 33rd in Kombi. Sara-Jo Howatt had a 49th place in the Kombi and Thea Peasgood placed 72nd in Slalom.

Two FIS athletes recently returned from what Erika Park called “a once in a lifetime experience” – forerunning at the Paralympic Winter Games. Park and teammate Daniella Aberger were selected to run the courses first to test the track before the competitors descend. “The best part was the athletes,” Park said. “They’re such nice people, they’ve come so far and overcome so much that it’s incredible to watch them race. It was a really special event.”

Unfortunately Aberger tore the ACL in her knee after taking big air during the first run of downhill training. Currently Aberger is doing rehab and awaiting surgery. Park is in Nakiska for the Canadian National Championships, racing alongside the likes of this year’s overall World Cup Super G Champion Erik Guay, and other Canadian ski heroes Manuel Osborne-Paradis, Emily Brydon and Britt Janyk.

Also attending the National Championships are the best K2s in the country, including Revelstoke’s own Peter Behncke and Lachlan Hicks. Held this year in Collingwood, Ontario, the Nationals will be an exciting event for our local racers.

This week the Revelstoke Ski Club and Revelstoke Mountain Resort are hosting the K2 Western Canadian Championships. Running from Thursday through Sunday, the event has attracted 180 athletes from the western provinces and is sure to showcase some exciting racing. The Hollywood run at RMR will be home to two Giant Slalom races on Thursday and Friday and two Slalom races on Saturday and Sunday. Good luck to all athletes!

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