Results for the Thompson-Okanagan freestyle and alpine skiing teams could be on the opposite end of the spectrum during the 2012 B.C. Winter Games in Vernon Feb. 23 to 26.
Being on the podium is a strong possibility in freestyle skiing, while alpine could provide surprising finishes.
Brian Spence, vice-president of B.C. Freestyle Skiing and president of the Apex Freestyle Club, said skiers from the AFC tend get on the podium a lot. One who has the potential to do well is Jordan Kober. He won his age group at the B.C. Series. Kassidy Todd of Keremeos is another who has a chance to win. Because the talent is strong in the area, Spence said, “they have a lot of competition to get these spots.”
While the team took a hit when Matt Finlayson broke his collarbone, other members include Shaina Finlayson and Noah Spence.
“Noah barely got a spot,” said Spence.
He earned it by winning the B.C. championship last year. Skiers earn their positions based on results from three events with the best one getting them in.
In alpine skiing, the Alpine Ski Club will be represented by Jesse Howden of the Fraser Valley. Mt. Baldy in Oliver has Nils Rauhala of Kelowna and Penticton’s Nicholas Everton competing. Warren Everton, an assistant coach for the Thompson-Okanagan team, said Nicholas enters the Games ranked fourth, while Rauhala is sixth.
“They are reasonably high up on this team,” said Everton, adding that both can finish in the top-20 for sure. “If they pull off an exceptional run in one of the disciplines, you never know, it could end up in top-10. If the cards played right, maybe even medal. That’s probably a long shot though. The 11- and 12-year-olds is hard to read.”
Everton is just pleased they are competing as he said it’s a “privilege to qualify.”
“We haven’t had an athlete qualify for a number of years so our program is starting to build,” he said.
Rauhala and Everton are both excited to experience the Games for the first time.
“My sister (Silken, who competed in the Games) was telling me all about it. It’s a really fun experience. There are so many good players there,” said Rauhala, who is targeting a top-15 finish. “It will be really awesome. Almost like a tournament.”
“I’m excited because I’m going to meet a lot of other racers from B.C.,” said Nicholas Everton. “That will be cool. I’m a little bit nervous because I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’ve been skiing well, getting lots of top-10 finishes.”
Check the Penticton Western News for more coverage on the Games, www.pentictonwesternnews.com and click on the B.C. Games tab.
