High winds and falling snow didn’t hamper the enthusiasm as Vernon Ski Club members pocketed numerous medals at the Sun Peaks Giant Slalom (GS) last weekend.
Jaden Parsons found silver on opening day, while Liam Glennon earned three podium finishes in the Under 14 class.
Said U14 head coach Ian Chernencoff: “We were focused. All the athletes had specific technical and tactical goals that they were striving to achieve. It’s in the striving that we grow. Looking at the data, everyone is improving at a rate equal to or greater than the race leader from this time last year.
“Ethan Clancy, for example, halved his gap to the leader. It’s rate of improvement not current results that forges consistent champions and leaders.”
Katrina van Soest uncovered silver on day two and posted top-five finishes in U16.
Said head coach Andrew Lambert on the U16 performance: “There were a lot of positives which came out of our first weekend of Giant Slalom racing. All of our athletes skied very well in sections or had standout runs. A couple of athletes were able to put together a strong combined time and this led to the podium.
“Conditions were not favourable for the smaller athletes on our team as they had very open courses and uphill winds to contend with which were limiting factors for them. Overall, I’m impressed by the dedication this young group of athletes is showing and the commitment they are developing towards becoming better athletes.
The club will train for two weeks before heading to Apex for a slalom race and then on to the provincial championships in Prince George.
The zone Speed Camp goes Feb. 1-2 at Silver Star, where the fastest racers will reach speeds of 95km on the downhill track.
