Squamish youth skiers are back on the slopes for 2013 and kicked off the New Year with some strong results.
Local 11 and 12-year-old skiers battled it out at the Nancy Greene Ski League Festival event in Whistler on Jan. 13. and competed for the Whistler Mountain Ski Club.
It turned out to be a great day for both Maja Woolley and Nathan Romanin. Woolley finished first in the girls speed and quick feet competitions and second in the slalom, giant slalom and the skating races.
Romanin won the quick feet and skating competitions, picked up a third in the slalom and placed seventh in the giant slalom. Squamish skier Gemma Baxton also competed, picking up an eighth place finish in the skating race and ninth in the giant slalom. Freya Jumonville kicked off the year with a ninth in the slalom race.
Organizers stated that the goals for this festival are to encourage participation, interaction and development of technical skills in an exciting and motivating atmosphere without the pressures of intense competition.
Action continued for the U12’s this Saturday (Jan. 19) and Sunday (Jan. 20), with more good results for Woolley and Romanin. Competing in a Skier X race in Whistler, Woolley posted the top time of 42.64 on Saturday and followed that up with a first place showing in the ladder race on Sunday.
Romanin grabbed second in the boys with a time of 42.67 on Saturday and followed that up with a third place finish on Sunday. Baxton placed 13th amongst all girls with a time of 45.70.
It was also a strong first race of 2013 for Maja’s older brother, Kasper Woolley. The U14 Squamish based skier competed at a Coast Zone race in Hemlock on Friday (Jan. 18) Saturday and Sunday and fared well. He placed second in the giant slalom (43.08), first in the slalom race one (28.48), first in slalom race two (27.75) and won the Skier X race.
“In the first run on Saturday I had a very good run,” Woolley said. “I was very happy with my performance and wanted to do the same thing in the second run. When I came down to the score board after having another good run I was so happy to win booth slalom races.”
Jack Cormack placed 18th in the giant slalom (50.88), 20th in the slalom race one (36.07), 31st in slalom race two (36.97) and 21st in the Skier X race. Squamish’s Kai Labrenz picked up a 27th place finish in the giant slalom (53.76), 16th in slalom race one (34.47), 16th in slalom race two (33.69) and ended up 18th in the Skier X race.
Next up for the U12s will be the Tyee Cup, taking place at Grouse Mountain on Feb. 9 and 10. Squamish U14 skiers are building towards the Western Canadian Championships in Alberta in March and the U16’s hit the slopes at Seymour next weekend.
For more information on youth skiing, visit www.bcalpine.com.
