It was the potential seen in these very young athletes that drew crowds to Mount Washington to participate in the annual Experience the Podium Race hosted by the Mount Washington Ski Club, Feb. 23-24.
Teams rolled into town from Whistler Blackcomb, Grouse, Seymour, Cypress and Manning Park – filling up the mountain accommodation and tearing up the slopes. This event is designed specifically to introduce young athletes to ski racing and the podium – and experience the podium they did.
The MWSC athletes seemed to shine in every age category with four-year-old Rowan Hughes taking the stage with gold in Kombi, Jump and Slalom. Hot on his heels was Markus Djurickovic, all of five years old, with gold in Slalom, Speed and Jump and Bronze in the Kombi event.
Other notable results included triple golds for six-year-old Beth Luchies in Kombi, Slalom and Jump and a bronze in Speed. Local athletes and sisters Brynn and Emilly Johnston were a force to be reckoned with gold for both in Slalom and Jump, gold for Emilly in Kombi and for Brynn in Speed. For the boys Eric Luchies stole the show with his impressive 42-foot jump along with Luke Hoefer who shot off the ramp and landed a 40-foot jump.
It was the speed event though that was such a draw. Barrelling down the Whiskey Jack steep pitch at wild speeds, the fastest MWSC athlete was Kieran Harley who clocked in at 74km/hr. There were a host of other amazing result for the MWSC athletes with trips to the podium in various age categories a total of 41 times.
The Mt Washington Ski Club focuses on building youth one turn at a time. The club provides a family oriented environment in which members make friends, develop a passion for alpine skiing and alpine ski racing, and achieve excellence in a sportsmanlike culture.
– Mount Washington Ski Club
