Competitors race down the course during the inaugural Intercontinental Cup Sunday at Big White.

Competitors race down the course during the inaugural Intercontinental Cup Sunday at Big White.

Big White hosts first Intercontinental Cup

Canadian, New Zealander and Australian skiers compete in dual pro format Saturday on Lower Speculation.

  • Jan. 22, 2017 10:00 a.m.

Big White Ski Resort brought together 135 competitors from Canada, New Zealand and Australia on Saturday to compete in the first annual Intercontinental Cup.

The competitors spanned from six years old all the way through to Masters, competing head-to-head on the Lower Speculation run in a dual pro format. All racers, regardless of age, were able to compete on the same track.

The Big White Ski Club went up against the Aylwin Alpine Academy out of New Zealand and theAustralian Snowsports Camp program. Both the New Zealand and Australian programs make Big White their off-season training base on an annual basis.

The Big White Ski Club claimed the first annual Intercontinental Cup by virtue of their top 15athletes having an aggregate time of just four seconds faster than the strong team of Kiwis, who claimed a complete sweep of the girls U18 Podium.

The aim of the event was to give the kids of the Big White Ski Club international experience at their home club, as well as giving the visiting athletes a chance to add a race into their training calendar.

“We had a great turnout and everyone had a lot of fun,” said Big White’s Director of SnowSports, Josh Foster.

“Hats off to the Big White Ski Club and the army of parent volunteers. Without their efforts and dedication, the day wouldn’t have been as successful as it was. This was the first annual Intercontinental Cup but we’re already looking forward to next season to make it bigger and better.”

“What a great event, our athletes did a fantastic job and had a lot of fun too,” added Brad Aylwin from the Aylwin Alpine Academy. “The racing was close in stacked and competitive divisions. Our training here at Big White for the past few weeks certainly prepared us well.”

Click here to watch video from the Intercontinental Cup.

 

Kelowna Capital News