The Apex Ski Club members returned home from Kamloops with some weight around their necks.
Five members won medals during the Okanagan Zone’s first giant slalom race at Sun Peaks Jan. 11 -12. Noa Rogers, under-12 girls, earned a bronze medal, while Heming Sola won gold and earned silver and bronze, while Devin Blaser-Ladouceur received bronze. Marcus Athans, under-14 boys, won two gold medals and earned silver. Chase Davies picked up a bronze.
Alison Sinclair, under-12, placed 11th in her first giant slalom race as a U-12. Issac Athans, Adam Koczij, Blaser-Ladouceur, Peter de la Mothe, Connor Robinson, Jake Erickson and Quinten Pearson, under-12, also competed on Sunday.
Minnie Gentes had her first top 10 finish , placing 10th in the under-14 category in Saturday’s first women’s race. Kayley Davies placed eighth in the second race. On the second day, Davies finished sixth, while Molly Wells was eighth, Gentes ninth and Tyrah Henderson, 10th. Also competing were Kristen Anderson, Agatka Koczij, Melissa Laprairie, and Hanna Marsh-deBoer.
Kyle Blaser-Ladouceur, under-14 boys, finished sixth, Noa Borg, ninth and Aaron Leaman 10th. Tamatea Westby, Parker Sinclair and Matthew Siggs also enjoyed excellent races.
In the under-16 group, Belle Grant, Elsa Knutson and Ella Pasin finished, eighth, ninth and 12th, respectively on Saturday, then Sunday brought them 10th, eighth and 12th place results.
Reece Howden and Keefer Wells placed fifth and seventh Saturday. Howden repeated his result on Sunday, while Wells dropped one.
“I thought all the kids skied extremely well,” said ASC head coach Jorgen Anderson, who added he is proud of his athletes. “They overcame some tough conditions, lots of fresh snow, wind and cold temperatures.”
Anderson said that Marcus Athans eleveated himself to a new level. He was also very pleased with Chase Davies, who had a good run.
“I just wanted to see good consistent efforts and I saw that,” said Anderson, adding it was the last qualifications for the B.C. Winter Games.
Heading to the games to represent the club will be Marcus Athans of Kelowna, Chase Davies of Penticton, Kayley Davies, Oliver’s Agatka Koczji and Kelowna’s Kyle Blaser-Ladouceur.
Sun Peaks Ski Club hosted more than 140 racers ages 10 through 18 that included Big White from Kelowna, Prince George, Revelstoke Silver Star in Vernon. Each racer competed in three giant slalom races.
The u-14 group will return later in March for provincial so Anderson said it was a nice chance to experience the track.
