Kelowna’s Ryan Moffatt is proving to be a quick study on the North American FIS ski circuit.
The 16-year-old member of the Big White Racers FIS alpine ski team raced to a bronze medal at the Can Am West series, Jan. 11 to 13 at Schweitzer Mountain near Sandpoint, Idaho.
As a FIS rookie in the U16 division, Moffatt raced to a third-place effort in the GS, finishing in 1:40.63, 3.1 seconds out of the gold medal position.
BWR teammate Simon Bernard moved from 52nd to 27th in the second race with a combined time of 1:45.32.
In women’s slalom, Meg Cumming, a local second-year U18 put in a strong performance with a 10th place finish with a two run combined time of 1:30.52. She was fourth after her first run but tough luck struck with a broken pole in the second as she managed to hold on to a top-10 finish.
On Monday, Cumming was consistent again in her two runs to finish in 10th place, 3.41
seconds behind the leader with a time of 1:30.52.
On Tuesday Cumming continued her steady streak with yet another 10th place
finish 2.61 seconds behind the leader with a time of 1:53.27.
Moffat laid down a fourth finish after his first run but was unable to complete his second
run and did not finish. Bernard unfortunately also ran into trouble in the
morning and could not complete the race.
Big White FIS head coach Derek Trussler was happy with the effort put forth by all three skiers.
“I am extremely pleased with the efforts and results of this young team,” said Trussler. “After coaching Ryan this season his results at Schweitzer did not come as any surprise to me, even as a rookie.”
Next up for these talented three is a 10-day Super G, night slalom and downhill event at Kimberly, Feb. 4 to 13.
