Apex Ski Club earned nine medals last weekend in a Nancy Greene event at Kelowna’s Big White.
As much as that impressed coach Jorgen Anderson, who had 20 skiers compete, he was more impressed with his rookies, the majority of whom made their competition debut.
He was proud of them for attending and overcoming the nerves that come with competing.
“They got to experience what the start of what this whole procedure is,” said Anderson.
In the girls age group under-6, Marie Droppo raced to a second-place finish, followed by Siobha Matthews in fourth. Alex Hans enjoyed a fabulous fourth-place finish in the under-7 boys group. Apex dominated the under-8 group with strong performances by Nicole Rogers coming in second, Hanna Droppo, third, Asia Borg, fourth, and Alena Lahey, fifth. Sienna Blaser-Ladouceur blazed her way to a win in the under-9 category, while Rayne Lahey was third. Hadley Erickson and Pamela Lapraire were fifth and sixth, respectively.
Daniel de la Mothe from Penticton raced in the tough under-9 boys category where the racers who placed fifth through ninth were within a second of each other. De la Mothe was ninth. Jaras Grant and Jack Macintosh placed third and fourth in the under-10 boys category, respectively.
Noa Rogers continued her winning ways taking the under-11 girls group, while Chloe Alex finished third. Leyland Vucinovic was fifth in a competitive under-11 boys group.
In under-12, Alison Sinclair and Elisabeth Macintosh were fifth and sixth.
“I think it was challenging enough for their ability,” said Anderson of the course. “It’s all about confidence. Experience brings on confidence.”
The next event for the club is in Vernon on March 15.
Ski notes: Apex Mountain Resort is hosting the under-16/18 Enquist Slalom Coast zone race this weekend. Originally scheduled for Seymour, a lack of snow forced organizers to seek a different location. James Shalman, manager of Apex Mountain Resort, said the organizer contacted them asking if they could bring the race to Penticton. Among the approximate 90 skiers competing, four are from Apex Ski Club since Penticton is hosting. The action for the men’s and women’s slalom is Saturday and Sunday.
