A triple gold and a Squamish cyclone — those were the two major accomplishments of local athletes who competed in Timber Tour in Whistler from Feb. 2 to 4.
During the competition, Chase Capicik managed to capture first place in all three events.
13-year-old Capicik earned gold in moguls, slopestyle and big air in her division. Capicik also made a big step forward this time around, executing a move that had been challenge for her to do in the past.
“I’m really excited because that was the first time I did a backflip in a competition,” said Capicik. “That was a big step for me.”
She had some hesitation about doing the move, as she had taken a fall trying it out a few years back.
But this time, she didn’t let her fears hold her back.
“If I’m going to a professional level, I just had to get it over with and just do it,” she recalled.
Capicik also managed to pull off a 720-degree jump as well.
Malica Malherbe, who made headlines last year for her 720-degree spin jump, was competing in the under-14 division.
It seems as if she’s stepped up her game since then.
While she didn’t make the podium for big air this time around, Malherbe managed launch into a 900-degree spin — that’s two-and-a-half rotations.
To top it off, she managed to do a landing switch — that is, land backwards.
She was the only female competitor at the event who did this move.
“I was actually going for [a] seven [hundred degree jump] and i guess i was more worried about my takeoff than my landing so i ended up going for [a] nine [hundred degree jump],” Malherbe said.
The end result was an example of what her coach called a “super steezy” style.
Malherbe also managed to capture fourth place in moguls and take bronze in the slopestyle event.
Tami Bradley, who coaches both girls, said both of them put on strong performances.
“It’s pretty crazy,” she said, reacting to how the athletes placed.
Bradley also added that the timing of the girls’ victories was made all the more special since the Olympics are happening this month.
Both girls have Olympic dreams, said Bradley, who is a former two-time Olympian herself.
“They know they have a shot at the next one [Olympics],” she said.
Bradley said that she’s working on a game plan to make that dream come true.
For example, Bradley said she and Malherbe will be redoubling their attention on developing the young athlete’s fundamentals.
There were other highlights from local skiers during the event as well.
Lynette Conn took second in under-14 moguls. Cassidy Butterworth placed second in under-16 moguls and Aiden Mulville took third in under-14 boys slopestyle.
Elijah and Avery Krumme both took first place in slopestyle, moguls and big air for their respective age divisions.
Kaleb Krumme took third in moguls in his category.
