TECK JUVENILE RACE SERIES TECK K1 Prov. Champs - Big White Kelowna, BC, March 20 - 22, 2009
Even as winter turned to spring this past weekend at Big White Resort near Kelowna, the best young K1 ski racers in BC faced stiff competition from each other and the elements. Over the three days from March 20 - 22, ninety young women and one hundred and eighteen young men, ages eleven and twelve came to Big White to vie for provincial titles in three events.
The championships got off to a difficult start with gusty winds and thick cloud hanging over the upper part of the giant slalom course. Racers struggled to find their way down the track, in some cases only seeing one gate ahead from where they were. Organizers laid down bright blue dye on the snow giving the racers some sense of definition in the near white out conditions. Because of the many forced delays, the host club and organizer, the Big White Racers had to cancel the second giant slalom race for the day.
On Saturday morning, the skies cleared to reveal a beautiful day for racing at Big White with the Kombi event on the schedule. A relatively new event, the Kombi mixes slalom and giant slalom gates with an emphasis on variety and use of terrain to challenge racers’ skills and ability to adapt.
Sunday’s final day of competition was once again clear but warmer as the spring sunshine beat down early on the slalom courses set for the competitors. (news courtesy of Nigel Loring Program Director / Head Coach, Kimberley North Star Racers)