It took more than last Wednesday’s raging condo fire to put a damper on the Cresa Can Am under-16 alpine ski race weekend at Panorama Mountain Resort, where more than a dozen racers from the Columbia Valley made their mark on the field of nearly 200 competitors.
With some racers fetching their sprinkler-soaked boots from dryers in the Panorama rental shop just prior to a practice session on Thursday, February 28, the weekend race series took advantage of some fresh snow on the mountain and enthusiasm imported from all corners of B.C.
Amelia Smart from the Panorama Ski Club began the competition by winning the Ladies’ Giant Slalom event with two strong runs that totalled 2:08.18. Following close behind in second was Haley McKercher of Sunshine with 2:11.16, who was trailed by third-place finisher Courtney Hoffos of the Windermere Ski Club, who registered 2:11.16. Robyn Fiell of Panorama placed 11th with a time of 2:15.38.
Whistler’s Riley Seger was the top finisher in the Men’s Giant Slalom event, with two runs totalling 1:58.18, placing ahead of runner-up Keegan Sharp of the Panorama Ski Club, who registered a time of 1:58.67. Placing third was Sam Mulligan of Grouse Mountain with 1:58.74.
Tyra Collombin of Fernie won the Slalom Ladies’ event on Friday, March 1 after clocking 1:22.13 following her two runs. Finishing second was Sarah Taylor of Lake Louise with 1:22.78. Banff’s Georgia Burgess came in third with a time of 1:22.95. Fifth place finisher Courtney Hoffos registered the most impressive time locally with 1:23.21, barely faster than seventh place Robyn Fiell of Panorama at 1:23.93.
Max Scharf of Revelstoke earned first place in the Slalom Mens’ event after completing two runs in 1:24.29. The runner up was Whistler’s Alex Gershon who registered time of 1:24.93, followed by Big White’s Alex Roehrig at 1:25.41. David Catherwood with Panorama placed seventh with a time of 1:25.98
Georgia Willinger with the Kananaskis Ski Club declared victory in the Super G Ladies on Saturday, March 2 after posting a time of 53.29. In second was Haley McKercher of Sunshine with 53.96, followed by Georgia Burgess of Banff at 54.05. Windermere’s Courtney Hoffos came in fifth with a time of 54.30, right before sixth-0place finisher Amelia Smart of Panorama at 54.42. Robyn Fiell tied for 12th with 56.60.
Riley Seger from Whistler was crowned the Mens’ Super G winner after registering 52.35 as his final time. Keegan Sharp from Panorama was the runner-up after posting 52.44 as his final time. James Crawford from Whistler took third place with a time of 52.52.
Results from the Sunday, March 3 skier cross events were not available at The Echo’s press deadline.
